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(Photo Jay Berkowitz, Los Angeles World Airports )
By the time you read this post I will be on a plane, half-way to Los Angeles. And as much as I love to explore new places and return to old favourites, I truly hate to fly. This feeling has only increased as security measures have gotten stricter and airlines have become stingier with what they include in their fares. While there isn't much we can do about this, savvy travelers know that what and how they pack can help to reduce the hassle. Here are just a few ways to make your flight go a little smoother:
Not Recommended For Airline Travel! (Photo: Whimsybags via Etsy)
Pick the Right Luggage
As much as you love your hip vintage suitcase, it is time to put it away (or check out Mandy's suggestions on how to repurpose it) and buy a bag that meets the size and weight limitations imposed by most carriers. If, like me, you tend to bring back more than you left with, chose a soft-sided bag that can be stuffed to its limits. Crumpler's Spring Peeper duffle is an excellent option. Weighing only 6.5 lbs., it is as easy to carry as it is to pull along on its wheels and the durable canvas construction ensures that it will hold up to rough treatment if you do end up checking it.
(Photo: Crumpler)
If you are packing more fragile items, a hard-sided case is the better option. Heys makes the lightest carry-ons in the world, weighing slightly more than 5 lbs. Retailing for less than $100, the xcase is an affordable and fashionable option- there are dozens of colours and patterns to chose from, including their latest Exotic Collection.
(Photo: Google Images)
Lock your suitcase with TSA-approved locks if you are going to check it. And don't forget to label your luggage with a sturdy tag on the outside and a card with your destination information tucked into an outside pocket as a backup.
(Photo: Swiss Miss)
Pack Light
Unless you are going away for months and require a great mix of formal and casual clothes there is no reason that you can't pack what you need in a carry-on. Pick a base wardrobe of neutral colours (black, grey, or tan are good choices) and add a few colourful accent pieces; this way you will be able to mix and match several outfits. Shoe addicts be warned, you should limit your selections to three pairs: a casual and a dressy pair to pack and another, the bulkiest, to wear when you travel.
(Photo: Travelista)
There is a heated debate amongst travelers on the best way to pack clothes so that they arrive as crease-free as possible. Some like to roll their clothes but I think this takes up too much space and prefer to "bundle" pack. This video explains the technique and includes some extra helpful hints to ensure your clothes arrive in wearable condition.
Pack Valuable Items in a Second, Smaller Bag
Most airlines allow one personal item in addition to your carry-on bag, such as a purse or a laptop bag. I choose one that is large enough to carry my wallet, travel documents, electronic items and their chargers, valuables, medications, reading material, and travel-sized toiletries. If you have to check your main bag, you will still have these important items with you. It is also easier to pull out these items for screening at the x-ray machine if they are together in one bag.
(Photo: Orla Kiely)
I also include a change of socks and underwear, in case my bag does get lost. To cut down on this list, remember that most hotels provide shampoo and condition and many will have other products such as toothpaste and deodorant on request at no extra charge. And if you travel with a lot of gadgets, consider buying a universal USB power charging cable, which will cut down on the number of cords you need to pack.
(Photo: Deal Extreme)
Know Your Airport
Have a tight connection but need to grab some refreshments? Or have a long layover and looking for a way to spend the time? Do a little research before you go or download an app like Gate Guru that helps you determine which options are closest to your gate. And don't forget that many airports have replaced the mundane food courts with more upscale options, including wine bars and spas, to help you pass the time.
(Photo: Vino Volo)
While it is impossible to guarantee a stress-free flight, hopefully these tips will help to make the journey almost as enjoyable as the destination.


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I have so much new hair growing thanks to the Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment! This product (along with the Rosemary Lavender Shampoo and Lavender Avocado Conditioner) has totally turned my hair around. My hair was falling out because my scalp was so dry and irritated from a "designer" shampoo I was using on my stylist's recommendation. I'm only 23 years old so obviously this put me in panic mode. But since I've been using the combination of these three products, I have noticed a significant amount of new growth, especially along my hairline, and my hair loss has also slowed significantly. Thank you again! Great products and customer service from JMO as always!
Your normal hair shampoo, zinc shampoo, and lavender conditioner are amazing quality products! Please never stop making these! My whole family including my parents uses your products. Salon quality and organic!
I don't often feel the need to pick up the computer and fire off an email, but I just had to on this occasion. I think your Lavender Rosemary Shampoo and Rosemary and Peppermint Detangler are absolutely stunning. I have grappled with dull, dry, curly hair for years and thank God, your shampoo was recommended to me. It has transformed my hair over night. I have the most healthy looking, manageable, luxurious locks that anyone could wish for. Thank you and thank you again for your product. I just wish I knew about it years ago and I now want to recommend it to everyone else. I have just put in another order, so I thought I'd drop you a line from a VERY satisfied customer. Keep up the great work!!
I just wanted to say - Thank You - for making such a great product. I have just recently learned that I am allergic to a chemical that is used in numerous products. Hence, I have taken to buying all organic products so that my eyes do not swell up. I was hesitant to buy organic, as I have in the past with less than stellar results. I found out about John Masters through a web search and decided to try your products. All I can say is - Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I ordered the Lavender & Rosemary Shampoo and the Citrus & Neroli Detangler, which by the way was recommended by your customer service department. Your products are amazing! I am telling everyone I know that you do not have to have chemicals to make your hair beautiful. Again - thank you for offering such a great product.
I have received the sample packets of the Rosemary/Lavendar shampoo and I truly like this shampoo as well as the conditioner. I have rosacea and many of the other shampoos i have used cause my scalp to feel as if it's on fire and beet red. Your shampoo leaves my scalp - for the first time - feeling normal and looking normal and so far it is also not breaking out.
I have wavy highlighted hair that has seemed to get duller and frizzier every year. At 49 I still have to wash my hair every day, and blow it dry, and I felt like I was making it worse and worse. The first time I saw my stylist after finding your products, she asked me what I had changed. She said she had never seen such a dramatic change in the condition of anyone's hair in six weeks. It was the middle of a very cold February, heat blasting, and my hair was soft and markedly better hydrated that at my previous visit. It's also growing faster, according to my stylist. My simple routine is your Lavender Rosemary Shampoo, Honey Hibiscus Reconstructor (left on during shower, and left on wet hair overnight once a week), and your Dry Hair Nourisher and Defrizzer. I'm growing my hair longer these days because it's so healthy, and raking in the compliments--I give all the credit to you when friends comment. My ends feel soft and blunt--like they were just cut. I love the fact that your website offers big bottles that save money and trips to the store--thanks for making such great products. I'm going to try the Vitamin C anti-aging serum next... I have very sensitive skin and am usually loathe to experiment, so this is a tribute to my trust, which your products have earned. If salons knew what a difference your products could make, they'd all use them in their sinks and sell them.
Well, I have tried many different 'natural' and 'organic' hair products over the years and yours absolutely CRUSHES them all! I just finished using the Lavender Rosemary Shampoo with the Honey and Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor and I am in love. I have naturally curly hair so to find something that works is nearly impossible. My mother purchased your styling gel (which I like to use also) and you had sent along samples...long story short I convinced the owner of my food co-op here in town to carry your line, now that she does I never have to be without! I am a political/Christian songwriter and am so up on the poisoning of our minds and bodies, I just want to thank you for making such a beautiful product. Blessings,
-Lisa Heinrichs
I am so blown away by how AMAZING my hair looks from using your products ( Lavender rosemary shampoo for normal hair, Lavender & avocado intensive conditioner, Honey & hibiscus hair reconstructor, Herbal Cider hair clarifier & color sealer). I have baby fine hair but a lot of it. Nothing has ever made my hair look and feel so RICH. I now have volume with bounce, moisture and shine! I have always had flat, limp, lifeless hair and i tried so so so many products to find they did nothing for my hair. But not anymore...Thank you, thank you! I am in love!!!.
I have lost track now of how many times I have ordered your products. I am writing to tell you that I am a HUGE fan of the Sea Mist. I didn't think it was possible to find a product that would allow me to do what I wanted with my hair without gobs of nasty sticky hairspray and without spending hours styling my hair. I have wavy hair that curls when I put product in it and scrunch it, but it usually takes LOTS of sticky product, lots of blowdrying, and lots of hairspray. Then my hair won't move at all, is frizzier than I'd like and the curl is usually gone by the end of the day. NO MORE! I shampoo with the Rosemary shampoo, use the Citrus & Neroli detangler (I rinse it out). I throw my hair up in a towel, then when I am ready, I comb through it, spray it with the Sea Mist and go (with wet hair). My hair curls BETTER than when I use other sticky products and a blowdrier. My hair dries quickly and is shiny and natural looking. People stop me and tell me my hair is gorgeous now. This routine takes minutes. I used to dread styling my hair and would just pull it wet into a ponytail to dry, but now it takes about 5 minutes, no blowdrying and no hairspray, and it looks better than it ever has. Please never stop making the Sea Mist or your other hair products! I love them!!!

subset: commoncrawl


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Batman Costume
Batman costumes will thrill and excite all members of the family! The Cape Crusader rides again, from Gotham City to your front door. Shop all Batman characters including detailed, top quality Grand Heritage Joker, sexy Catwoman and Robin, baby Batgirl, and plus size costumes. Batman himself comes in variety of styles and sizes. Complete with masks, hair, boot covers, belts, and gloves before heading out to fight crime.
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The masked hero from Gotham lives again, keeping the city safe. Muscle chest Batman steps up to the plate, along with newer, sassy Batgirls and more. Wear the costume solo to be the hero Gotham deserves, or complete with a group of Batman characters to be used in group superhero events.
Animals & Myths


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Sweet and Savory Ribs Recipe
My husband, Randy, and I love barbecued ribs, but with our busy schedules, we rarely have time to fire up the grill. We simply let the slow cooker do the work for us. By the time we get home from a crazy day at work, the ribs are tender, saucy and ready to devour. —Kandy Bingham, Green River, Wyoming
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 pounds boneless country-style pork ribs
- 1 bottle (18 ounces) honey barbecue sauce
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Place onion in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with ribs. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; pour over ribs. Cook, covered, on low 8-9 hours or until meat is tender. Yield: 8 servings.
Originally published as Sweet and Savory Ribs in Quick Cooking May/June 2003, p52
Sweet White Wine
Enjoy this recipe with a sweet white wine such as Moscato or a sweet Riesling.
Reviews for Sweet and Savory Ribs
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Reviewed Jan. 13, 2014
These were a hit! Cooked them for about 9 hours - that may have been a little too long, they were a tad dry. BUT - we ate them all and decided this was a keeper for sure!
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2013
Loved this!! I made as written and it was great. Even my picky 7 year old ate it. Served with baked potato and green beans. Will be making this again.
Reviewed Dec. 29, 2012
This is easy and good. Followed directions, a served with mashed potatoes with the sauce as gravy. Cooked on low for 8 hours. Nice to come home to a hot meal.
Reviewed Mar. 15, 2012
I accidentally used boneless beef ribs and the sauce was very good, but I think I overcooked them at 8 hours...my slow cooker seems to cook things fast, though.


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Last issue's news Print and online news archive
2008 Watch List: Completing the picture Bush administration officials vow to advance the President's Management Agenda while there is still time
One year to go, then the handoff OMB says a true test of the President's Management Agenda would be whether it carries over into the next administration
Buzz of the Week: What is Iowa telling us?
New tech could help bolster borders Critics attack State Department's decision to use long-range RFID in passport cards
Green IT specs now required
Lawmakers to micromanage more
Editorial: Let the real debate begin The presidential candidates have given government management issues only glancing attention
Schwartz: Focusing on searchability
Kelman: 3 secrets to productivity
Welles: The age of speed
Lisagor: My crystal ball says...
2008 Watch List: EVM for everyone Office of Management and Budget mandate will propel EVM further into the mainstream
Management briefs
2008 Watch List: Power, servers, nets: Efficiency is in Emerging technologies help agencies get a better grip on IT management and utilization
2008 Watch List: OFPP to rein in interagency contracts New policies likely will target duplicative contracts that offer little additional value
2008 Watch List: Security initiatives show promise Officials express guarded optimism as milestones for major projects converge
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Pet Fish Talk
Breeding Fish
Breeding Mollies
Molly Gender
Net Breeder
Food for Babies
Breeding Bettas
Breeding Guppies
Mr. Dayes'
Guppy Gender
Breeding Goldfish
Goldfish Gender
Breeding Angelfish
Breeding Convicts
Breeding Oscars
Mouth Brooders
Holding Eggs
Breeding Monos
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Click on
the images .
This was very exciting, because we were thinking about fish and how to spawn them all the time. How to spawn livebearers like Mollies and Swordtails, Killifish like Aphyosemion gardneri, Cynolebias nigripinnis, and Nothobranchius guentheri, Cichlids like Angelfish and Convicts, and many other types of fish interested us. But brackish water fish, such as
Monos, really fascinated us. They were kind of like the ultimate to us, and practically no one anywhere in the world had spawned them.
Mr. Wey's house was in a residential neighborhood that was very much like the neighborhood where we lived in our parent's home. He opened the front door, and in a few seconds
we were looking at a very large aquarium by the back of his living room near the door to the kitchen. In this large aquarium were 4 or 5 huge Mono. sebaes. They measured at least 14" tall,
which was much bigger than any brackish water fish that we'd ever seen.
Mr. Wey explained to us about how he conditioned his Sebaes to breed. First he increased the salinity of the water until the water had as high a concentration of salt as
seawater. He measured the salinity with a hydrometer, and he showed us his hydrometer, then he dipped the hydrometer into the aquarium water to show us how he measured the salinity of the water.
He kept the Sebaes in sea water and fed them very well for a few weeks, and the females would fill with eggs. Then each day he would remove 4 or 5 inches of water and replace
it with fresh water. So the salinity would decrease each day, and after a few days his huge Sebaes would spawn. He said they would swim in a tight circle, and he held his hands about 18"
apart to show us the diameter of the circle. Around and around they would go. The females releasing eggs and the males presumably fertilizing the newly released eggs.
He said the eggs were very very small. Almost too small to be seen. Mr. Wey said one of the tricks that he'd learned about spawning Sebaes was to be there, when they spawned,
and follow the Sebae females with a net to catch a bunch of her eggs. It had to be a fine net, because the eggs were so small.
"How many eggs do you get from a spawn, Mr. Wey?", I asked, and he replied, "I don't know exactly, but I've estimated that I get at least 50,000 from two
or three females during each spawning. The eggs don't all hatch, and the ones that hatch, don't all survive. Lets go out to my garage, and I'll show you some of the Sebaes that I'm raising
We went through his kitchen and out the back door toward his garage. On the way I noticed that he had a round swimming pool filled with very dark green water like the water in
a pond, which seemed strange, but there was no time to ask about that now, because we were going inside his huge garage that was filled with aquariums.
Right inside the door to the garage were two large aquariums that were side by side and full of more huge Sebaes. I watched the Sebaes swim back and forth for a while, and
realized that they could swim from one aquarium into the other aquarium. How could that be?
I asked Mr. Wey, and he said that he'd done it like thus and so, but I couldn't follow the details. Maybe it wasn't too complicated, but it seemed complicated, and Mr.
Wey seemed more and more like a wizard.
I caught up with him and my brother. They were looking at an aquarium and talking about some fry. It took a while to realize the tiny specks that looked like finely ground
pepper were some Sebae fry that were just a few days old. There were many hundreds of them in that aquarium, and there were lots and lots of similar aquariums full of Sebae fry.
I can't remember what he fed them, but I remember that he said he had to divide each aquarium of fry into two aquariums every three days or so, or the aquariums would
become too crowded. So the baby Sebaes were growing very fast.
He also said he had to increase the salinity a little bit every few days by adding Aquarium Salt to the water, or the Sebae fry would not do well. My brother asked Mr. Wey how
he'd discovered that, and Mr. Wey said that he'd been in the U.S. Navy and stationed overseas in Asia near a large river. For a couple of years he'd seen adult brackish water fish, such as Monos
and Scats, swim upstream, and then weeks later small Monos and Scats going back downstream and out into the ocean.
He theorized that the the adults had gone upstream to spawn, then the eggs floated down stream, hatched into fry, and grew to be about 1" by the time he saw them.
As the adults swam upstream the salinity decreased, and so he tried decreasing the salinity in his aquariums to trigger the Sebaes to spawn. He said he was very happy, when this theory worked.
But then the fry were difficult or impossible to raise. So he visualized the fry hatching upstream, then floating or swimming back down the river with the salinity of the water
steadily increasing. So he tried emulating that process in the aquariums with the fry by adding some Aquarium Salt every few days, and it also worked. After hearing that explanation, I was
convinced that Mr. Wey was for sure a Wizard.
We went back outside his garage. It was dark by then, and I saw his swimming pool with the dark green water. He went into his kitchen and came back with a big head of cabbage,
that he tossed into his swimming pool. Immediately the head of cabbage began to bob up and down in the water, and we could see that big pieces had been bitten out of the cabbage.
Before long the head of cabbage was gone. Eaten by whatever was in the pool. I bent down by one of the pool lights and saw a huge Scat swim past the light. It was at least
18" long and about 6" to 8" thick from one side to the other side.
Mr. Wey explained that he had quite a few big Scats in the pond, and he was trying to spawn them too, but all the tricks he'd learned about spawning the Sebaes hadn't work on
the Scats. He needed to think of something new, and had kind of run out of good ideas, but he was hopeful that one day he'd think of something or just get lucky and spawn them.
We thanked Mr. Wey. We told him that we'd really enjoyed visiting him and seeing his fish, and that he was for certain a Fish Wizard. He just smiled and said,
"Thanks for visiting and good luck with your fish."


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Tomato Cucumber SaladJuly 8, 2014 | by Diana
Tomatoes and cucumbers are the staple of just about every summer kitchen. I had plans to do an elaborate salad for the holiday weekend, but when it came down to it, I went quick and easy with my tomato cucumber salad. As a non-mayo, vinegar based salad, it travels well and doesn't go bad quickly on a hot summer day. If you don't want to mess with a dressing, store bought will work just fine and save even more time.
- 2 whole cucumbers.
- 4 tomatoes
- 2 green onions
- fresh parsley
- fresh dill
- salt
- pepper
- Olive Oil
- Red Vineger
- Peel skin from cucumbers, slice in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a spoon.
- Slice the cucumber in half again and slice thinly across all down the length of the cucumber.
- Place the cucumbers in a bowl.
- Slice the tomato to be in a similar size and shape as the cucumbers; leaving the seeds and juice behind add the tomato to the cucumber in the bowl.
- Thinly slice the green cucumbers and add to the tomatoes and cucumber.
- Add 1 tbs red wine vinegar and 2 tbs of olive oil to a small container.
- Finely chop parsley and dill and stir into bowl or jar (that has a lid) with oilve oil and vinegar.
- Place lid on top of the bowl with the dressing and shake.
- Add to the tomato cucumber mixture and toss
Tomato Caprese – Delicious and BeautifulJuly 6, 2014 | by Diana
I've been making Tomato Caprese for years, and I see it served almost everywhere. I've made it and seen versions of it done so different ways. I placed it on a platter for a gathering, but we've had it chunky with mozzarella balls or small tomato pieces with small mozzarella pieces in a bowl or even mozzarella and basil stuffed cherry tomatoes. No matter how you slice it or stack it, it's just a perfect side dish to a meal. It's fast and easy and delicious. It goes very quickly and no leftovers. Not only that, but it's such an easy recipe, that once someone sees it they copy it for their own gatherings because it's both delicious and beautiful.
- Tomatoes – different color tomatoes best for contrast
- Mozzarella
- Basil – Fresh from my garden
- Light Balsamic Vinaigrette (Newman's own is my favorite)
For a holiday gathering, I took slices of the tomatoes and alternated them with slices of mozzarella. I chopped up the basil and sprinkled it on top and then drizzled with the vinaigrette. It went too quickly, I should have made another platter.
- Tomatoes - different colors
- Mozzarella - soft fresh Mozzarella
- Basil - fresh picked
- Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Rinse and dry tomatoes.
- Halve tomatoes and then slice so they have the shape of half moons.
- Slice Mozzarella to resemble the tomatoes
- Tear up basil and sprinkle over top.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette.
Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey Red Beans and RiceJune 20, 2014 | by Diana
Today as part of the summer series round robin, Sheena from Hot Eats and Cool Reads is guest posting today – I like her idea of Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey Red Beans and Rice to keep the kitchen cool on a hot summer day.
Hi everyone! I'm Sheena and I blog at Hot Eats and Cool Reads! I am so excited to share with you today here at Cookerati! I've been blogging for almost 3 years and absolutely love coming up with new recipes. I'm a single Mom to a 7 year old daughter and we live in Central, Minnesota! Besides recipes, you can find book reviews, restaurant reviews and product reviews over at the blog. I would love if you stopped by!
We all love slow cooker recipes, so I'm bringing you my recipe for Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey Red Beans and Rice! They have tons of flavor and are really good leftover for lunch the next day at work. I love the smokey flavor from the turkey and the beans taste amazing. I'm such a fan of the slow cooker in the summertime. No heating up the house using the stove! I hope you enjoy this recipe!
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans
- 1- 1 pound smoked turkey wing
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 cup bell pepper (yellow or red) or mini sweet peppers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons creole seasoning
- salt and pepper, if needed
- 6 cups water
- cooked white rice
- Rinse and sort through the dried beans.
- Put all ingredients in the slow cooker and pour the water over the top.
- I used about 6 cups water total.
- You may need to adjust accordingly.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the beans are tender.
- Within the last hour, take out the turkey wing, and shred the meat from the bone and stir back in with the beans.
- Serve over cooked white rice.
You can find Hot Eats and Cool Reads here: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google +
Nonni's THINaddictivesMay 30, 2014 | by Diana
Nonni's is a brand I know. They make biscotti – hard crunchy thick biscotti that you can dip into your coffee. When you dip it in, the biscotti gets really soft and mushy and melt into the coffee if you dunk too long. Actually, I love the meltiness, but not drinking it but that's a different story. We're going to talk about their THINaddictives today because I was sent a couple of boxes to try out.
The THINaddictives are 100 calorie packs of thin sliced cookies or biscuits. They aren't biscotti though. These cookies don't dissolve in your coffee like biscotti, they stay crunchy/chewy. I think that's because of the juice used to flavor it. They're packaged in 100 calorie packs, 6 – 3 packs to a box.
I was sent both Blueberry Oat Almond Thins and Banana Dark Chocolate Almond Thins. I thought Banana Dark Chocolate would be the clear winner, but it turned out the opposite was true, while I enjoyed the Banana Dark Chocolate, the Blueberry Oat Almond surprised me with a really good blueberry flavor. My husband and daughter both tried the THINaddictives and agreed that they were tasty. The ingredient list passes my inspection, with no high fructose corn syrup or artificial sugars. There are banana chips in the banana and blueberries in the blueberry and of course real chocolate chips and almonds.
I think the best thing is that they are convenient and portable. I grabbed a pack right before my Mother's Day run for a quick snack that wouldn't make me sick if I ate right before a 5K. I also brought it to work, and it was easy to grab a snack in a small portion size. I'm not always a fan of pre-packaging, but it does keep you from eating the whole box in one sitting, which is a good thing because it would be easy to do.
If you'd like to try Nonni's THINaddictives, enter the sweepstakes to win a free box on their facebook page. This contest ends on June 1st, so don't wait.
Disclosure: I was given a box of Blueberry Oat Almond and a box of Banana Dark Chocolate Almond THINaddictives to try out. The opinions are my own.
Chicken stuffed with Asparagus and Herbed Garlic ChevreApril 18, 2014 | by Diana
Since it's National Garlic Day on April 19th, I wanted to come up with a dinner that had some nice garlic flavor. Originally I was going to make a salad with garlic chicken and asparagus, but while I was at the store other thoughts entered my mind and I went with it. I grilled asparagus on a grill pan first, but maybe it doesn't really need it. We loved the whole meal and I will definitely do it again when my daughter's home, she enjoys it when I come up with something delicious. Chicken stuffed with Asparagus and Herbed Garlic Chevre is something your family would enjoy too.
- 2 large chicken breasts – sliced in half, then pounded flat.
- 16 spears of asparagus
- Herbed Garlic Chevre
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Herbs – basil, parsley
- Salt
- Garlic-Pepper
Dollop the Herbed Garlic Chevre on the flattened chicken breast and place 4 spears of asparagus on top. Roll the chicken up around the asparagus. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Garlic Pepper and Herbs. Place in glass pan, or casserole dish, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven on 350 until Chicken is done. About 10 minutes before it will be done take the aluminum foil off.
Herbed Garlic Chevre
- Parsley
- Basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- thyme
- 4 oz basil garlic chevre
Sauté garlic in oil to soften. Peel parsley, basil and thyme off stems and coarsely chop. Put it into bullet or other small processor or chop finely, and chevre, and whirl to combine. Use this to dollop on the chicken breasts.
- 2 large chicken breasts – sliced in half, then pounded flat.
- 16 spears of asparagus
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Herbs – basil, parsley
- Salt
- Garlic-Pepper
- Dollop the Herbed Garlic Chevre on the flattened chicken breast and place 4 spears of asparagus on top.
- Roll the chicken up around the asparagus.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese, Salt, Garlic Pepper and Herbs.
- Place in glass pan, or casserole dish, and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the oven on 350 until Chicken is done.
- About 10 minutes before it will be done take the aluminum foil off.
- Sauté garlic in oil to soften.
- Peel parsley, basil and thyme off stems and coarsely chop.
- Put it into bullet or other small processor or chop finely, and chevre, and whirl to combine.
- Use this to dollop on the chicken breasts.
You could really smell the garlic in the kitchen while it was cooking and taste it in the cheese.
I served this with resmashed potatoes. I added a little cream, some gouda, and parmesan, salt, garlic pepper and herbs. Place in ramekins, sprinkle with garlic pepper, then parmesan cheese – It will have a nice cooked brown parmesan top to it when it's ready. Throw it in the oven with the chicken for about 20 minutes (place in pan with water).
Dinner was a success. Though the chicken didn't need a sauce or gravy – it wasn't dry, the bottom of the pan was filled with good stuff my husband and I kept scraping, so maybe deglazing the pan and making a sauce with it is something I might try next time.
Don't forget the Jelly Beans.April 18, 2014 | by Diana
Jelly beans are a go to for the special Easter baskets. I like jelly beans, but only if they have flavor. I don't like the jelly beans that are bland and all taste the same, I want the different colors to taste like different flavors. Mike and Ike have flavored jelly beans that are pretty cool. You can pick up different assortments, like fruit flavored, or tart, or even cinnamon – which I usually hate, but didn't this time they were good too. I loved the assortments, and I also like that on the bag, there's a guide to tell you which one you picked – like banana, pineapple, cherry, citrus punch, lemon lime. They also have a specialty box made with fruit juice (but it also contains sugar and corn syrup) – with a specially Mike and Ike shaped Easter Treats. So don't forget the jelly beans, and pick up some that have flavor like Mike and Ike!
Disclosure: I was sent some jelly beans in order to do this review, the opinion presented and the photograph are my own.
Irish Country Cooking by The Irish Countrywoman's AssociationApril 7, 2014 | by Diana
Recently, my sister brought up our family's ethnic heritage. I think every family should explore their roots, and cook authentic recipes as a way to share that heritage. My grandfather's parents were both born and raised in different areas of Ireland and migrated to the United States in the late 1800s, and early 1900s. A review of Irish Country Cooking – More Than 100 Recipes For Today's Table seemed like a very appropriate review for me. While this book contains all of the regular St. Paddy's Day food of Corned Beef and Cabbage or Shepherd's Pie, it introduces a few new ones plus a few out of box surprises like Hungarian Goulash. My Hungarian grandmother who was married to my Irish grandfather would have had a chuckle.
The Irish Countrywoman's Association
The hard covered book was compiled by the Irish Countrywoman's Association. The ICA was founded in 1910 and consists of over 700 local guilds throughout Ireland. Over the years these guilds produced their own local cookbooks with recipes passed down in families from generation to generation. This book – Irish Country Cooking is a compilation of 100 of the best recipes from those local cookbook collections.
Irish Country Cooking – the book
I tried out a few of the recipes and I liked how well they came out. I made the Crusted Rack of Lamb with Orange and Olive Salad. My lamb looked exactly like the photo in the book and tasted great too. I shared it with my family for my birthday dinner. My husband and son also loved the Colcannon – a very traditional potato and cabbage dish.
Speaking of photos – there are plenty, though not every recipe has a photo, most do. There is a table of contents in the front and an index by ingredient in the back (just the way I like it).
We have all of the regulars like Soups, Starters, Main Meals, Side Dishes – which include preserves as well as side dishes and dips, sauces and stocks. Then we have the sweets which include cakes, puddings and desserts. To add to the content it starts out with an introduction from the ICA national president, a note from the editor, and a few words from guest chefs. This book also contains useful equipment and a glossary.
What else is cool about the recipes:
- It's written in American Cooking Measures and in English Cooking units, so 225g of mushrooms is 8oz and you will see both.
- There are nuggets of information pages – like How to Cook on a Budget, or How to Get Baking.
- It comes with an attached ribbon to hold your page. That sounds like a trivial thing, but I find it useful.
- You get the author, the guild they belong to, and sometimes a little blurb about them. So you know what area of Ireland, the recipe comes from.
The only drawback is that it doesn't have nutrition labels so that you can adjust something if it goes over your dietary limits.
All around this is a really nice book for authentic Irish recipes, some I have seen before and many I have not. I plan on using it to inspire some of my own contributions to the family meal.
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy in order to complete this review. This is not a sponsored or paid post. The review is based on my opinion of the book, and is not influenced by anything else.
Braised Lamb Neck Stew over PolentaApril 4, 2014 | by Diana
The lamb neck is often an overlooked piece of lamb that people don't ask their butcher for. I went to a lamb cutting class and when asked which part of the lamb was the favorite, I don't remember what my response was, but I remember the response of another person, because he said lamb neck. The butcher said it was one of the lower costing and under-valued. My Braised Lamb Neck Stew Over Polenta is a delicious way to prepare this under utilized part of the lamb that is so delicious.
Lamb neck is a very fatty piece, with a lot of bones, because of this the meat is full of flavor. It also means, that it's more of a stew piece instead of a steak or thick roast. After you cook it, you have to wade in with your fingers, pull the meat out and the bones and also drain all of the grease to get to the flavor filled stock. It's a bit of work, but really worth it. I served it over polenta this time, but a nice root vegetable mash or potato mash would be great. Serving it over a nice thick Sourdough would work well for sopping up that great gravy.
This is not a quick and easy worknight meal. You can put it into the crockpot, but the meat has to cool, so that you won't burn your fingers. The gravy will need to cool a little also before you whirl it around in the food processor.
- 1 lamb neck
- 3 tbs cooking oil
- 1 onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 2 tsp paprka
- 1 pint lamb or chicken broth
- 4 carrots sliced into 3 inch pieces
- 2 large turnips quartered
- 3 large tomatoes (or a can of stewed tomatoes)
- 1 cup of red wine
- (as needed)
- 1 cup of water
- cumin
- all spice
- garlic
- pepper
- paprika
- Using a dutch oven, heat the cooking oil.
- Sear all sides of the lamb neck.
- Throw onions, garlic, sprinkle with cumin, all spice, ginger and paprika.
- When the onions are soft, add 1 pint broth and simmer for about an hour.
- Add in the carrots, turnips and tomatoes and simmer until the vegetables and soft and the meat is ready to come apart.
- Place the meat on a plate to cool so that you can work with it.
- Place the cooked vegetables (except tomatoes and onions) in a bowl with a cover.
- Drain the stock into a gravy separator.
- Using the wine deglaze the dutch oven and turn the heat off.
- Pour the gravy without the grease into a food processor along with the tomatoes and onions or use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth.
- Add water to thin and spices to taste and return to dutch oven if you used a food processor.
- Pull the meat off the lamb neck and discard the fat and bones then add the meat to the dutch oven.
- Slice the turnips and carrots into smaller bite size pieces and add to the dutch oven.
- Simmer on low the vegetables, lamb neck meat and sauce.
- Prepare the polenta.
- Boil 4 cups water.
- Add in cornmeal.
- Stir until the cornmeal seems suspended and no longer falls to the bottom of the pot.
- Place lid on and give it a stir every so often until thickened.
- Ladle the polenta into a bowl, place a serving of lamb neck stew over the center.
Spring Red Pepper and Asparagus FrittataMarch 23, 2014 | by Diana
Spring is officially here, and the time has come to change things up from the vegetables and fruit that overwinter in the basement to the freshly growing like asparagus. Red pepper isn't too local right now, but the southern states have a little coming ripe right now. This Spring Red Pepper and Asparagus Frittata is light, but full of flavor. It's great for Sunday Brunch or even for a quick worknight dinner.
<Click here to get the recipe. >
Deviled Green Guac Eggs for St. Patrick's DayMarch 13, 2014 | by Diana
St. Patrick's Day is coming up and Green is the color of choice (or if you are anti-green, then it's orange but that's a different story). Deviled eggs are great for any gathering and with the help of Wholly Guacamole, my Deviled Green Guac Eggs are a fast way to put together an appetizer for your St. Paddy's Day gathering. I put my own ingredients together along with a sample of Wholly Guacamole that I received and when my son saw what I was mixing up, he was intrigued and delighted. He said that it had to be healthier than mayo, and I had to agree. My husband had a taste when he came home from work and he was equally delighted. We all agree that this makes a fantastic bite.
You can find Wholly Guacamole in the refrigerated produce section of the store. If you have more time, you can make up your own guacamole using avocados, garlic powder and lemon or lime to keep from turning brown. If you wish for a little more heat use the Spicy Guac or add some hot peppers. More Wholly recipes can be found on Pinterest – and if you like discounts check out the coupon tab on their Facebook Page.
Green pea shoots make a great 3 leaf cloverish like green to sprinkle around the eggs and give it a little Irish flair on your serving plate.


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I was pointed in your direction for a ROTJ blaster, shoot me a PM and mabey we can do business, thanks.
I was pointed in your direction for a ROTJ blaster, shoot me a PM and mabey we can do business, thanks.
... To add to my request, a side arm holster if available.
Best wishes!
Put me in the list bro
interestes in Sidearm too
payment inmediatly
please, please, please sell me a sidearm Grade B, I can pay immediately
Pm sent. I would like to have an ESB and a ROTJ kit. Please let me know. Thanks
Ok, update is I have to redo the barrell mold on the webley and then ESB are ready to go. The HIC I have started the new setup for making casts. Ill be posting pics in the hic forum. But the new casts should be much more consistently done thickness wise. I am also creating another HIC that has the tool marks etc cleaned up. Arguably less movie acurate, but much cleaner looking to the up close eye. I will document that as I go also.
I am creating back filled HICS also, that will have inserts for the body and face making it very, very firm.
Helmet interiors I have everything ready but the dome piece. It has to be re-sculpted. I also have a stormtrooper helmet interior and a biker scout interior I never released.
I expect to be ready to make pulls this weekend. I will update the lists. and start the pms for payment. Max time from payment to your doorstep should be 14-21 days. Orders over 21 days, which I do not expect to happen, will be refunded and a new order placed to avoid any issues or people worrying about their money.
- - - Updated - - -
I have a full sidearm mold, NON split trigger. Still in good shape. There would be some filling on the butt end of the grip (most people fill them full anyway). I will shoot a pic of how the pulls come out. Those would be 90 shipped in the US while the mold lasts as a grade b option. Probably as clean as any 1 piece kit out there. This would be 2 pieces however. The knob for the tip of barrell is seperate.
I want a ESB helm interior and a sidearm. I am ready to pay now.
very interested on the sidearm, and I'm redady to make the payment
hey stormryder
let m eknow when you required the payment and if you have a picture how the full front will look so i can have an idea what to expect
Updated post #7 to add stormtrooper helmet interiors to my interest items
Ok once again
Will take b or c pull on side arm
Us shipping
- - - Updated - - -
Ok once again
Will take b or c pull on side arm
Us shipping
please sendme your paypal acount to make te hinmediate payment on sidearm b
If you do a run of these (HIC Side panels ($150 shipped) ), I would love a complete set!!! I can pay immediately...
Last edited by jgorzka; Aug 11, 2012 at 4:22 PM. Reason: forgot to specify the HIC sides as the item...
Alright, I am starting the process on getting these HICS and EE3's out.
Again NO PMS please. I have 55 unread in my inbox.
I will be creating some mass pm's
The pms will be for payment for the HICS, the Sidearms, and the EE'3s.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. If for any reason the orders take longer than 3 weeks I will pm you and refund your money. I do this so that people wont worry about not being able to ask for a refund via paypal.
I am working on the best way to clay up the volvo panels to make them perfect. I will be making a pull of one soon. They wotn include the greebles, just the panels. But I intend to get them to be very acurate.
The helmet interiors will start as soon as these are shipped.
The ROTJ ee3... I have everything but the scope. The rest is ready to go.
hi Stormride, I would like to make payment of a sidearm, but I have't your paypal account and do not answer the PM, how I can do to contact you?
Abe, read Stormriders last post again!
i still need a price +shipping for ROTJ EE-3 (resin) thanks
Man the ee3 are sweet might have to upgrade someday
Alright working on pms today.
I wanted to post an update. To explain the delay here.
In my original post, I wantes just posts saying what you wanted. and no pms. I now have 70+ pms and pages and pages of posts to look through.
My limited time means I have to pick whether to read the forums or work on molds. It appears there are more people wanting blasters than HICS.
I am working on a way to message people about these items now. I intend to get to all of them, but inevitably the communication turns into a mess.
Typically I get tuns of people wanting something NOW! But when I make it they say 'Ohh sorry, spent my money on a widget, sorry. I then sit on the moeny and time.
So, heres the next actions:
If you are on the list for a HIC, or I missed you. PM me WHAT YOU WANT and YOUR LOCATION IN THE WORLD. I will send you back my paypal, and the total. The hics will ship within 14-21 days.
Once the HICS are done, I will post another notification for EE3 - ESB's and so forth.
Please put:
in the subject. I will not be replying to any other inquiries about items. I simply cant.
Unfortunately if I can not get people to follow the instructions, ill have to deal with them at another time.
Pm sent sir
thank you for your effort Mike, i will wait your times and actions


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HyperFlex Playa Neo Hoodie (2mm Neoprene jacket)Hyperflex "PLAYA" The Playa is a 2mm Neoprene jacket. As the name "Playa" (Beach) suggests, these are meant for after/before water use. It is cut exactly like a "hoodie" sweatshirt. Oversized and warm, it features a hollow fiber lining and skin exterior. It holds virtually no water at all, so it is windproof and waterproof against the elements. Surf, kite, windsurfing kayak, fishing, dive boats, swim teams, etc. These are designed to fit over wetsuits or they can be worn alone. They will work for virtually any application for almost any watersport or water activity. These are perfect for before/after sessions, during contests or events, driving, etc. Learn More$129.99
HyperFlex Playa HZ (Harness Zip) NeoPrene JacketHyperflex "PLAYA" The Playa HZ (HARNESS ZIP) is a 2mm Neoprene jacket. As the name "Playa" (Beach) suggests, these are meant for after/before water use. The Playa HZ features a new mini front zipper that can be used with your spreader bar hook. Now you can wear the Playa over your harness while teaching kiteboarding/windsurfing or even while riding for extra warmth. Learn More$146.99
Hyperflex Voodoo WetsuitHyperflex's new Voodoo HFZ brings major advancements in cold water wetsuit technology. Highlighting Voodoo is the introduction of AtomicFoam™ Super Stretch Neoprene, which we internally-lined with our new AQ6™ thermal fabric. Additionally, the Chest/Back/Hood is equipped with our new ReactorCore+™ insulation panels. Voodoo HFZ also benefits from our new Cocoon™ Entry Point & Closure System design. All seams are glued and blind stitched and sealed with our FusionWeld™ liquid tape. Simply put, Voodoo increases warmth without increasing thickness allowing you to surf lighter, longer, and warmer. Learn More$179.00


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Fast Pipe Lining, Inc.Fast Pipe Liners, Inc is a company focused on providing prepared Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) liners ready for installation by local contractors. Corporate offices are based in Illinois, with CIPP liner wet-out facilities in Illinois and New York. Fast Pipe Liners, Inc is not a licensed or franchise business, merely a material supplier providing high quality, ready to install CIPP liners to contractors.
Fast Pipe Liners, Inc provides resin saturated CIPP liners for the rehabilitation in place of existing pipes including sanitary sewers, storm sewers, process wastewater lines, low-pressure force mains and roadway culverts. Brick, stone and even wood pipes have been lined with CIPP liners. CIPP liners can be installed within a variety of pipe materials including clay, asbestos, concrete, ductile iron, steel and corrugated metal. CIPP liners can be installed in round, elliptical, egg-shaped or even rectangular structures - depending on the circumstances.
To the CIPP lining contractor, Fast Pipe Liners, Inc can eliminate the capital costs and operational hassles of CIPP liner preparation. Wet-out facilities that operate at higher capacity can prepare CIPP liners more economically with the savings that are passed on to the contractor. Preparing large quantities of CIPP liners requires volume bulk purchasing of resins by the tanker load, additional savings that are passed on to the installer.
Wide Product Range:
Fast Pipe Liners, Inc can provide CIPP liners from 3 to 96 inches in diameter. CIPP liners can be ordered to suit specific installation requirements including extra thick or reinforced sections, transitions and reduced diameter downtubes. Liners can be ordered for inversion or winch-in-place installation for use with steam or hot water curing systems.
Fast Pipe Liners, Inc wet-out facilities are geared for high volume output of resin saturated CIPP liners. Using refrigerated transport trucks, liners can be shipped anywhere in the US. Contractors can provide their own refrigerated trucks for transport to and storage at the worksite.
Fast Pipe Liners, Inc can provide a wide range of resins suitable for any type of applications. Styrene based resins, non-styrenated resins, vinyl ester resins and epoxies can be used to prepare CIPP liners. All prepared CIPP liners are monitored for consistency during the wet-out process with gel tests performed on every 500 pounds of catalyzed resin. If requested, plate samples are prepared & shipped with individual liners


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The Economy in Perspective
Homeownership at any price…The residential mortgage horses are out of the barn: To the extent that borrowers and lenders could make bad decisions, most already have. From here on out, we are destined to witness and discuss the consequences.
Subprime loans, which have grown rapidly in recent years, are made to borrowers who are more likely to default than the most creditworthy borrowers. A loan is designated subprime not because it is bad in itself but because its terms and the borrower's characteristics make it a riskier proposition for the lender. Blemishes in subprime borrowers' credit histories range all the way from a few late payments to multiple bankruptcy filings. These borrowers also tend to put less of their own equity at risk than prime borrowers do. Another change in the lending process is the greater prevalence of the piggyback loan—a separate loan of up to 20 percent of the home purchase price, which gives the buyer enough money for a down payment and creates a loan-to-value ratio of 100 percent (equity is so over). Prospective lenders consider both credit history and equity at risk, along with local laws that could affect their ability to take title of the property, to determine the expected loss from default, and, hence, the ultimate designation of loan quality.
The subprime market has expanded dramatically during the past 10 years because lenders can quickly, cheaply, and accurately assess a borrower's default risk based on the individual's personal circumstances (but just how accurately remains to be seen). At the same time, borrowers have been willing to accept loan offers whose prices and terms are predicated on their circumstances. In the retail industry, marketing strategists would describe this as "mass customization." Historically, the alternative for most subprime borrowers would have been a flat-out denial of credit.1
At one level, the subprime mortgage market closely resembles the prime market. Lenders come in many forms, from commercial banks and thrifts, to mortgage affiliates of bank holding companies, to companies that only originate mortgage loans. Some originate and hold their mortgages; others sell them off through their own offices, through independent brokers, or through both. There are plenty of similarities on the borrower's side as well. Some take out loans for home purchases, some for refinance, and others for home improvements. Some borrowers seek to take cash out of their existing home equity; others do not.
From another perspective, however, the subprime and prime markets differ greatly. There is evidence that lower-income borrowers, those whose loan amounts are relatively small, and those using piggy-back loans are more likely than prime borrowers to pay higher financing rates. And there are some lenders who specialize in making subprime loans on a very significant scale with the express purpose of selling them to remote investors who are looking for financial instruments with high yields.
During the past few years, subprime loans have grown to roughly 20 percent of home mortgage originations; within that category, adjustable-rate mortgages have become the dominant type. In many cases, both parties to the loan were counting on house price appreciation to compensate for the borrower's risky cash flow. In poker, this strategy is called betting on the come. As we now know, short-term interest rates rose by about 400 basis points between the summers of 2004 and 2006. The fact that a high proportion of these adjustable-rate loans carried prepayment penalties—which typically lowered the interest rate at the time of loan origination—added to borrowers' woes. A similar fate awaits those whose interest-rate reset dates are still to come.
The available data suggest that the average subprime borrower has less income and education than the prime-rate borrower, and, by definition, has a somewhat checkered credit history. For example, a Federal Reserve Board study2 finds that in 2005 the incidence of higher-priced loans originated for owner-occupied homes varied from a low of 4 percent (Ithaca, New York) to a high of 53 percent (McAllen, Texas). Per capita income in the McAllen MSA, one of the poorest in the nation, is half the national average (Ithaca's per capita income is nearly the same as the national average, and its educational attainment is much higher.)
Most of the statistics we see reflect the average experience of millions of people who differ markedly in their reasons for seeking higher-priced credit and in their experiences of obtaining it, but an average can mask many important differences in borrowers' circumstances. Some may be wealthy, financially savvy people speculating in the purchase of a vacation property; others may be less-educated, elderly people refinancing their homes to raise cash for daily living expenses. Some have obtained their mortgage from a neighborhood banker, while others were solicited to borrow from a company they had never heard of. Although most people knew exactly what they were doing, many, it seems, did not.
The financial markets are already punishing those, borrowers and lenders alike, who thought they had made smart moves and only belatedly realized their mistakes. The subprime market will not disappear, because subprime borrowers will not. But we can expect that both borrowers and lenders will learn from recent experience and that the market will adjust. Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1790 that "[o]ur business is to have great credit and to use it little." For people to use credit more sparingly may be too much to expect nowadays, but perhaps we may hope that it will be used—and sold—more carefully. What seems too good to be true is often just that.
1. For a good overview of the subprime mortgage market, see "The Evolution of the Subprime Mortgage Market" by Souphala Chomsisengphet and Anthony Pennington-Cross in the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Review, January/February 2006, pp. 31–56. [Back to article]
2. Some very insightful information about higher-priced mortgage loans, borrowers, and lenders is provided by Robert B. Avery, Kenneth P. Bravoort, and Glenn B. Canner in "Higher-Priced Home Lending and the 2005 HMDA Data," published in the September 2006 Federal Reserve Bulletin, pp. A123–A166. The authors use the term "higher-priced" rather than "subprime" because the HMDA data on loan pricing are based on specific thresholds above the interest rates on Treasury securities of comparable maturity: 3 percent for first liens and 5 percent for subordinated liens. [Back to article]
Economic Trends is published by the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
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At the opening reception for Cartier & Aldo Cipullo, New York City in the '70s, I had the privilege of talking to Alfred Durante, the Cartier designer who created Elizabeth Taylor's Peregrina Pearl necklace and Taylor-Burton Diamond necklace. He told me the gems for both jewels were designed to highlight the icon's décolletage. When I saw this piece at Jennifer Fisher, I thought it would be a modern way to echo Taylor's sexy jewelry stylings.
$1,050; jenniferfisherjewelry.com
Marion Fasel, Contributing Editor, Fine Jewelry and Watches
April 18, 2012
Jennifer Fisher Cleavage Chain
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This Abru lightweight aluminium stepladder is a good-size portable aid for DIY jobs in and around the home. The approximate height of the five-tread A-frame platform is 1.03m, and the stepladder features large slip-resistant feet and treads for added stability.
*Free delivery over £50 refers to home delivery orders placed on diy.com only. Charges refer to the value of goods being delivered and excludes delivery from stores or services. Excludes bulk delivery.
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Since the hiring of football analyst Bob Shipley and first director of player personnel Patrick Suddes in the early spring, Texas' recruiting has been off the charts.
Both have helped the Longhorns land six commitments from the class of 2014 (13 overall), boosting their overall ranking to No. 4 in the 247Sports Team Rankings. They currently lead the Big 12 with an average composite rating of 89.4.
"We hired Patrick Suddes as the head recruiter from Alabama from a couple months ago, and it's working out really well for us," coach Mack Brown said during a press conference. "Patrick is hands-on at 33 years old and single.
"A lot of nights I'll get text messages from him about what's happened during the day and what he's read on the internet that kids have said; or maybe it's a birthday of a young man I wouldn't have known about, or something like that. He's also very involved in helping with our coaches clinic already for next year."
Suddes spent the last eight seasons working under Alabama coach Nick Saban and has been said to be single-minded, looking for nothing but perfection at what he does (sound familiar?).
Shipley, father of former Longhorn Jordan and current receiver Jaxon, works in high school relations alongside director of high school relations and player development Ken Rucker, splitting the state of Texas.
"Ken will work primarily with the offense in recruiting, and he will work from that standpoint with our high school clinic and also with our high school camps," Brown said. "Coach Shipley and Ken will basically each take half the state to deal with high school coaches.
"Coach Shipley will take the other half of the state and they will deal with their own friends regardless of where they are. Coach Shipley will also work on the defensive side of the ball with recruiting and he will also work with our clinic and our camp like Ken."
Texas finished No. 17 overall in the 2013 Team Recruiting Rankings.
Follow @Tyler_Waddell on Twitter
Texas Football: Longhorns' recruiting back on track
Two big hires have dramatically helped Texas recruiting
6/4/13 in NCAAF | Tyler_Waddell | 426 respect


text: Realogics Sotheby's International Realty is a full-service real estate firm with branch offices in downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, and downtown Kirkland representing buyers and sellers of properties throughout the Pacific Northwest. Award-winning marketing, extraordinary brokers and a truly global network have combined to generate exceptional sales success one client at a time. The Puget Sound Business Journal recognizes the firm among the "Fastest Growing Private Companies" in Washington State for 2012 and 2013. We specialize in new construction project marketing as well as resale properties and proudly represent all property types and price points including high-rise condominiums, urban town homes, waterfront estates, single-family homes, ranch, recreational properties and resort destination markets. We expertly service the following areas; Seattle, West Seattle, Bellevue, Medina, Clyde Hill, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Woodinville, Mercer Island, Enatai, Lake Sammamish, Newcastle, Renton, Edmonds, Woodway, Shoreline, Lynnwood, Bellingham, Federal Way, Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Port Ludlow, Port Gamble, Bremerton, Seabeck, Silverdale, Camano Island, San Juans, Lake Chelan, Cle Elum, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Yakima, Tri-Cities and the state of Alaska.


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Home » Opinion » Editorials
On concealed carry: For once, follow Vermont
Vermont, where people generally are less free than they are here, trumps New Hampshire when it comes to gun rights. Just over the Connecticut River, a gun owner can holster his weapon, throw on a coat, and go about his business without having to receive permission from the government. That sounds really bad to too many New Hampshire legislators.
House Bill 451, up for a vote today, would repeal the law requiring a permit to carry concealed. According to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, which opposes the bill, "(t)he present system ensures that local police departments do not issue licenses to persons that should not have them."
Actually, the law states that licenses shall be issued for hunting, target shooting or self-defense. It essentially orders licenses to be issued except for good cause. But chiefs have been known to abuse the authority the law grants them and deny or delay license approvals at will.
Opponents of HB 451 fear that removing the permitting process will turn New Hampshire into a lawless dystopia where gunslingers and gangsters battle daily for control of the mean, blood-stained streets, lined with the bodies of innocent victims. You know, just like Vermont.
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Utilities plan $3 billion natural gas pipelineREADER COMMENTS: 0
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Map It
Map City Services
Metro Newsroom
LouisvilleKY.gov Links
Tuesday November 8, 2011
Louisville Water's Board of Water Works has approved the 2012 operating and capital budget for the company. The budget reflects the company's commitment to provide an affordable and safe supply of drinking water during tough economic conditions and declining water use, while continuing a focus on maintaining and improving the water system. Continued Decline in Water Consumption Water sales are the most fundamental assumption in developing Louisville Water's budget. To prepare the forecast, staff utilized a University of Louisville (UofL) study on water use projections for the next 30 years and demographic and growth projections from Dr. Paul Coomes with UofL. Like many water utilities in the United States, Louisville Water continues to see a decline in water consumption. Water consumption in 2011 will fall short of the budgeted 37.5 billion gallons. As a result, the 2012 budget assumes water consumption of 37.0 billion gallons. The drivers for the decline in water use include:
Capital Budget Includes a Continued Focus on Infrastructure The capital budget is $73 million and includes over $11 million to assess, repair and replace water mains. Louisville Water expects to complete an overhaul of the Crescent Hill Filtration Plant in 2012 and will begin a multi-year project to implement new technology for metering and customer billing. Operations & Maintenance Budget The Operations and Maintenance budget is $65.75 million. Louisville Water has a number of fixed costs (power, chemicals and fuel) that will increase in 2012. The company is also working to manage increases in health care and retirement costs. Employment levels are expected to reduce from 422 full time employees in 2011 to approximately 417 through attrition. Maintaining Affordable Water Rates In 2012, the average monthly residential water bill for 6,000 gallons will increase by 85-cents a month to $23.47, reflecting a 3.75% rate increase. Louisville Water will continue its commitment to help customers who may struggle to pay their water bill. The 2012 budget includes $75,000 for the Customer Assistance Program. The funds are administered through three local entities that work directly with clients. Louisville Water funds this program with 10% of the proceeds of its home water and sewer line protection programs. "The 3.75% increase approved by our Board allows us to continue our investment in infrastructure while continuing to provide our customers with a high-quality, reliable supply of drinking water," said Greg Heitzman, President and CEO of Louisville Water. "In light of these challenging economic conditions, we are working to streamline our operations, assist customers and provide outstanding quality and value." The 3.75% rate increase mirrors the 2011 increase. The projected 2012 dividend for the company's stockholder, Louisville Metro, is $19.2 million.


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English: With a passion for electronic music for more than 15 years, Greg C started his carreer in the 90's, unfluenced by the sounds of Detroit, Chicago, ... By first performing at lots of clubs, Dj Greg C is verry present at the Northern France Techno scene, in belgium, but also in Holland were he plays a lot. Dj Greg C is the composer and producer on the essential label BABAORUM Records, but also Chicago Connection, Rythme Import Records (His own label) and Warez.
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How Playing it Cute Makes You Money Now
AnnaLisa is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
One company adds an extra $1.5 billion annually to its coffers from its cute couture. Another's entire raison d'etre is a celebration of cute to the tune of $43.76 billion last year. And the third's newest hot line, the epitome of cute, has endeared itself to legions of young women with double digit sales growth quarter after quarter.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Culture examined the cultural implications of cuteness, from the Japanese culture of kawaii (think Hello Kitty and big eyed anime) to Western perceptions of cute and its relation to retail. Lead researcher Elad Granot's curiosity over the prevalence of the word "cute" as used by females in retail situations prompted the study.
Several companies "get" cute and their stocks are winning from winsome. The "cutest" are L Brands (NYSE: LTD), best known for Victoria's Secret, Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), and Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT). As Natalie Anger wrote in a New York Times article, "Whatever needs pitching, cute can help."
Dress the portfolio in PINK
The study singles out L Brands' PINK as a successful leveraging of cute. PINK is sold in Victoria's Secret stores and online. The line of underwear, hoodies, sweats, and accessories is aimed at college age women featuring bright colors, cute designs, and soft fleecy fabrics. PINK adds $1.5 billion annually to L Brands' revenues. The company expects to double that number within a few short years.
Their appeal lies in the youthful design at the intersection of flirtatious and cute. It is non-threatening yet still trendy, not so overtly sexual as Victoria's Secret lingerie.
My college student daughter and her friends love the line. Every time we stop in Victoria's Secret it's filled with young women in the PINK section chiming, "Sooo cute!" The line started in 2004 is now so successful they have earned their own freestanding stores...and the sincerest form of flattery, imitation by Urban Outfitters, American Eagle Outfitters, and Hot Topic with their own young, cute lines of lingerie.
L Brands trades at a 19.44 trailing P/E with a 2.4% yield. The company reported in May that Q1 earnings rose 17% from Q1 2012. It has a strong insider hold at 18% with founder and CEO Leslie Wexner holding over 17 million shares.
The awwwww factor
Walt Disney is the premier commercializer of cute; even its documentary March of the Penguins cashed in on cuteness. Disney cartoon characters have front facing big eyes like babies, adorably infantilized. Who else but Disney could make us love a rat like in Ratatouille? This has made Disney the biggest branding company in the world, licensing thousands of products.
Disney has been an outperforming stock as investors realize for the price of the media division (the films, the Disney network shows, ESPN, ABC) you're getting the resorts and the licensing for free.
Disney is one of the world's most recognizable brands. One reason is that cuteness is also associated with freedom from anxiety, which the study likened to emotional carbohydrates or comfort food, dependably untroubling. There's a reason they call Disney resorts the "happiest places on Earth."
Disney's earnings have been untroubled for the last few years after recessionary worries receded and people flowed back into the parks and onto the cruise ships, went to the movies, and bought Disney "stuff." Since the lows of the recession the stock has tripled and shareholders have enjoyed double-digit EPS growth since.
At the March shareholder meeting CEO Bob Iger said, "In Fiscal 2012, we increased revenue by 3% to a record $42 billion, which led to a record $5.7 billion in net income, up 18% over the year before. And our earnings per share were up 24%, setting a new record of $3.13." However, Disney's trailing P/E at 19.33 and 1.20% yield aren't as cute as they used to be as the stock has moved up 35% in the last year.
Another drawback is that Iger is retiring in 2016. His annual compensation of $19.82 million is the main reason the corporate governance risk score is a high 9 instead of a 4 as it is for other risk issues. But Iger deserves it as he took over a troubled Disney in 2005 after CEO Michael Eisner filled the Board with cronies like his lawyer, his children's principal, and other questionable seats. Iger has also been instrumental in the purchase of Marvel and Lucasfilms.
The stock is close to 52 week highs. Its median price target has been raised from $62.50 in March to $72.50 now. Analysts are bullish with 7 Strong Buys, 15 Buys, and 8 Holds.
The All-American cutie
Mattel makes Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price toys but their most popular brand is the American Girl doll. They have their own stores dedicated to all things American Girl (with personal shoppers, yet!) located in high-end malls. These dolls and their accoutrements are pricey. Example: one can buy a scaled down VW bug for their 1970's era Julie Allbright doll for the price of the VW bug I bought in college.
Cute has been working for Mattel offsetting boy brands' underperformance. Boy brands have been so sluggish Mattel is teaching mommy bloggers how to play with boys' toys to encourage mom purchases for their boys.
Mattel is trading at a trailing P/E of 19.44 with a yield of 3.30%. That dividend has grown over 10% annually. Hasbro has a higher yield of 3.70% but comes with a short interest of 16.30% compared to a .90% short interest in Mattel. It also has less exposure to girl brands.
The stock is up 37.91% over the last year. The median price target at $49.00 gives 10% upside, and Argus initiated coverage on June 13 with a buy.
The Foolish Takeaway
Mattel is a buy during its usual summer slump with the highest yield of these and a keen understanding of "cute." L Brands is also a buy, especially since their stock hasn't moved up as much and new freestanding PINK stores should do brisk business. It also has that insider conviction. Disney has moved so far, so fast that it's pricey here and the yield isn't as winsome as it was. Wait for a significant pullback to buy Disney.
It's easy to forget that Walt Disney is more than just the House of Mouse. True, Disney amusement parks around the world hosted more than 121 million guests in 2011. But from its vast catalog of characters to its monster collection of media networks, much of Disney's allure for investors lies in its diversity, and The Motley Fool's premium research report lays out the case for investing in Disney today. This report includes the key items investors must watch as well as the opportunities and threats the company faces going forward. So don't miss out -- simply click here now to claim your copy today.
AnnaLisa Kraft has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Mattel and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of Walt Disney. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is this post wrong? Click here. Think you can do better? Join us and write your own!


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Leah Flores
Art. Love. Travel.
FORGE. is a quarterly submission based art magazine, with the sole purpose of showcasing the work of different artists on the internet and around the world. Issue 2: Solace includes 9 poster size submissions relating to the theme, and information about each of the artists that created the work. This issue also includes interviews with Caldwell Tanner, Jen Mann, and Dan Meth.
This week we finished pulling together Issue 2 of FORGE. and it is now available to read online! We've been working really hard on this issue since June, so it has felt truly wonderful to finally have a finished version of it. Obviously we couldn't have done it all without the incredible pieces that each and every artist spent time making for us, and the enormous support all of you have given to this project. We hope that each of you can enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed making it!
Issue 2: SOLACE includes submissions by Courtney Wirth, Jonny Ruzzo, Alexander Derwick, Maxine Crump, Sid Black, Lucas Lasnier, J. Powers Bowman, Ben Mcleod, and Zeke Rothfels. Issue 2 also includes interviews with Caldwell Tanner, Jen Mann, and Dan Meth!