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Yahoo! profit surges six-fold
Page Tools
Internet giant Yahoo! says its second quarter profit grew six-fold from a year ago to $US755 million ($A1.0 billion), lifted by increased sales across a broad range of services and a one-time gain.
That compared to a net profit of $US113 million in the same period a year ago.
But a big chunk of the increase was a one-time gain from the sale of an investment, Yahoo! said in a statement on Tuesday without elaborating.
Excluding the one-time gain, the profit amounted to 13 US cents per share, in line with analyst forecasts for the company.
Revenues grew 50 per cent from the same period last year to $US1.25 billion, lifted by growth from advertising, fees and partnerships.
"Yahoo continued to see solid growth in the second quarter as a result of our strength in both search marketing and brand advertising, increased engagement from our large, global audience, and our ability to execute and perform according to plan," said Terry Semel, chairman and chief executive officer.
"We have a healthy business model that we believe will enable us to take advantage of future growth opportunities and we remain dedicated to providing our users with the very best services on the internet."
Get the SMH delivered for as little as $3 a week - SAVE 21%


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Intelligent Charging has a long history of producing state-of-the-art, electronically controlled battery chargers and capacity testers for military uses, commercial airlines and aviation service companies.
Used by the British Royal Navy & Air Force and many airlines, recommended by leading aircraft and battery manufacturers, the Intelligent Charging range of automatic battery charger / analyzers have a proven track record world-wide.
They are vital maintenance equipment for any battery-critical applications.
Latest news
Intelligent Charging helps Vulcan Bomber Group!
Recently there has been discussions between us here at Intelligent Charging and XM655 Maintenance and Preservation Society regarding the MB73 charger th
Referenced Products Service, Repair and Calibration
Urgent order just before Christmas Day? No problem for Intelligent Charging!
Intelligent Charging save the day when a company urgently requred our help.
Referenced Products MB73+ and MB73P+, Service, Repair and Calibration
Intelligent Charging celebrates its 20th year of trade!
It's time to look back and reflect on how well the company has progressed since beginning trading on 1st January 1997.
Referenced Products MB73+ and MB73P+, IC50A

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Skoda Questions Any type
- Newest
- Recently Active
- Unanswered
Timing Chain Replaced, Engine Still In "limp" Mode - Any Suggestions?
Car went into limp mode & have had it to a garage. Diagnostic scan shows no faults, but they discovered timing chain needed replacing. That's been done. Still in limp mode & showing no faults. Can...
Good Evening, I Would Like To Sell My Car Skoda Octavia. Is It Possible To ...
Skoda Speedi
Hello i changed the size of my tires on my skoda fabia classic and the speedo has stopped working everything else work like my fuel gage and my temperature and my revs just not my speedo so i trie...
Cylinder Head Stud.
Hi, I took my Fabia into a local garage for a full service and an Mot two weeks ago, and prior to this the car was running well. 51 miles later I noticed that I had difficulty starting, but once start...
Mileage Problem
My skoda octavia' s mileage decreased rapidly for the last few months. Service done, filters changed and the parts that needed cleaning was cleaned too but no improvement. What could be the proble...
How Do I Remove The Passenger Door Panel??
I need to change a broken speaker
Can A Modern Diesel Car Run For 3000kms At A Stretch? If Not, What Distance...
Car : Skoda Octavia Engine : 2.0 TDI
Hi,i Have A 1.8tsi Skoda Superb, Currently I Have 225 45 R17 Tyres On The C...
I want to replace as current tyres don't last for too long ... develop bubbles etc ... hope 225 55 R17 or 215 55 R17 will suit the car ... pls let me knw .. thanks ...
My Favorite 1.3 1995 Pick Up Truck Cuts Out After 2-3 Miles And Then Will O...
My brilliant pick up truck keeps cutting out every 2 - 3 miles. It will not start unless you wait 30 mins or turn the ignition key on and half 12 or so times. I have cleaned the injector body with car...
No Sounds From Indicators Etc
I have a Fabia 1.4 05 model and suddenly all the warning noises have stopped including the indicator clicking.
Temperture Gauge
when starting from cold,the temperaure gauge goes to the top and the rev counter doesnt move,but when i tap the dash a few times then both work as they should any help would be great,thanks,Anthony
Xenonproblem Octavia Rs -03
i have this problem with my xenonlights...the right one only works sometimes...the bulb is replaced so i'm wondering about the "starter"...how do I check if it's worn out?
Static On The Cd Player - 2008 Greenline
Does anyone else have a problem with what sounds like static interrupting playback on the CD system? I've got an 08 plate Greenline, and it's really bugging me! Sometimes it's fine, others it's not, a...
Any Body Can Sugggest A Body Kit For 2007 Skoda Superb 2.5 Tdi
I am driving a 2008 (old shape) Skoda Superb 2.5 V6 TDI. Can any body suggest a spoiler/ side skirt/ rear spoiler etc for the car
Search Skoda Questions
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Reputation 10


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Triple H With Criss Angel Today, Today's Birthdays, Raw Pics, More
Published On 05/19/2012 | News
– As a reminder, Triple H will be appearing on Criss Angel's CA Uncensored show at CrissAngel.com today. Triple H will discuss Brock Lesnar and more. The interview airs at 12:30pm PST and 3:30pm EST.
– WWE is asking fans to send them their photos from RAW TV events. Send them to email@example.com if you want to participate.
– Former WCW star "Dirty" Dick Slater turns 61 years old today while former WCW Cruiserweight Champion Psicosis turns 41. Also, today would have been the 66th birthday of WWE Hall of Famer Andre The Giant.
– Fans can meet WWE Legend Sgt. Slaughter today at the Our Military Kids Day event at Lake Compunce in Bristol, Connecticut. Slaughter will be appearing at 1:30pm.


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Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Rayovac $1000 Mom Rock the Holidays Sweepstakes
Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.
20+ Freebies from Currclick---ends Today!
Go to Currclick before the end of today and download over 20 homeschool freebies, including a Christmas Around the World unit study, A Polar Bears unit study and more. Just click the CyberMonday banner at the top of their homepage. Ends at 10 PM CST.
While you are there, go to Currclick's Free Stuff page...there are a number of free audio books available, including E. Nesbit's Book of Dragons!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Fit Mommy Challenge: Week 5
Ack! Can I just say Ack!?
You'll notice I'm shamefully posting this very late Sunday night, ahem. Well, let's just say this wasn't the best week ever.
At least I ate well (meaning I got my fill and then some).
It was definitely an off week, starting with the invite to the "Chocolate and Wine" Moms (and breastfeeding babes) only party late Friday, to hubby's birthday, to the mother of all diet wreckers...Thanksgiving day.
And Thanksgiving leftovers. Actually, food intake was not tooo bad, though I did have two chocolates at the party, plenty of birthday cake on and around the birthday, and yeah, that was me having both apple and punkin pie on Thursday (hey, when your MIL brings 2 pies, you eat and appreciate---they were half-sized pieces).
The real prob was that I've been in a royal funk lately. My motivation had flown the coop. I wasn't getting my exercise in. And when you miss one day, you tend to feel bad and miss another day, and then another, until...well, we won't go there. I could blame it on a turkey induced coma...but the slump started before the turkey. Last night, Hubby gently reminded me to work out. So I did. And it felt good. Ok, it hurt, too, but it felt good, so I'm back on the wagon again.
And the other good news is that the boys tore through the rest of that turkey...I just need to keep my fingers out of the stuffing.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
More Black Friday Deals for Homeschoolers
- Shop on Friday (11/26/10) and get 40% off.
- Shop on Saturday and Sunday (11/27/10-11/28/10) and get 35% off.
- Shop on Cyber Monday (11/29/10) and get 30%, plus a free gift for a purchase of $50 or more.
A Journey Through Learning has 40% of instant downloads (does not include Geography Matters. CD, printed or assembled products). Good Friday 11/26/10 through midnight Central time on Monday 11/29/10. Use code BlackFriday40.
This post was unsolicited and uncompensated.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Starts TODAY: Old Schoolhouse Black Friday SALE at the
Ok, y'all know how much I love getting free stuff...how about getting up to $450 in free gifts for doing some of your holiday shopping at the Old Schoolhouse Store. Plus, shipping is ALWAYS free!
Here's the deal, between now and Monday night:
Get a one-year print sub to the mag, plus
- a free Homeschooling with Heart Tot (it's cranberry and cream colored, and super cute),
- Schoolhouse Planner of your choice
- E-book Cranberry Christmas
But that's not all, discounts abound in the Old Schoolhouse Store, with savings of up to 70% (!).
Plus, your order totaling $30 or more will earn you extra free goodies!
Order $30, and get over $100 in freebies.
Order $50, and get over $200 in freebies.
Order $100, and get almost $350 in freebies.
Order over $150, and get almost $500 in freebies.
And we are talking good stuff, go check it out: The Old Schoolhouse Store Black Friday Sale
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Old Schoolhouse Store.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Raising Boys...or the origins of potty humor
Mama: "A boomerang?"
Peter: "No, a BOOT-ER-Rang!"
Mama: ?
Peter: "When it hits you, it boots you in the butt! That's why it's a booterang! It's a boomerang that boots you in the butt....I mean bottom."
Friday, November 19, 2010
Fit Mommy Challenge: Week 4
Welcome to week 4 of the Fit Mommy 10-Week Challenge started by Denise over at Got Chai? You can see my goals here.
I re-discovered Wii Sports this week. And my shoulders really ache. Boxing, tennis and golf will do that to a gal.
But it was fun. Only the next day there was simply no way I could do those bicep curls and lateral shoulder lifts on the 30-Challenge for Wii Active. I did get in exercise each day except yesterday, though, so all is not lost.
No weight loss (or gain, either), but the muscles in my arms and legs are developing into something other than gelatinous lumps, so I'm pleased. I think my jeans are a little looser, around the waist, but that could be wishful thinking.
The kiddos have almost finished the Halloween candy, and I still haven't consumed a single piece. I did share a killer piece of chocolate cake with hubby on date night. At least it was dessert.
My water consumption has been much better this week and I've had at least 8 glasses most days.
I have been avoiding caffeine. While my body doesn't like this, I can feel my level of stress going down. Yesterday, I made the mistake of having an Iced Mocha from Micky D's (not a normal thing) and later having a coke when we ate dinner out...I could feel the jolt and it really wasn't good for me. So, much as I don't want to give up my tea or coffee, I think I'm going to continue with this experiment and see where it goes.
Does anyone know where I can find a good decaffeinated Chai?
Our Week: Re-evaluating Math
I feel like I'm playing musical chairs when it comes to math programs. And the approach I like at any given moment just depends upon where I'm at when the music stops...or when Emma starts dismantling the book shelves again. Right now I'm really liking the independent workbook approach. Not really, since I know that workbooks really don't teach anything, at least not on their own. It's the independence I'm craving.
So, to re-cap. In September we started Mary on Right Start Level B and David on Right Start Level C. Hubby and I did a ton of research on math programs and decided that we needed to overcome David's math deficiencies. He has to potential to do well in math, but we need to get him past his feelings of inadequacy in that department.
Now let me clarify here...David is super intelligent when it comes to math, he gets concepts pretty well. But, while 90% of math is getting the concepts and making connections, there is still that 10% that involves memorizing the facts. This is his stumbling block. Timed drills don't work for him. They cause too much stress and lock up his brain. He just freaks out (I had the same problem with timed drills when I was in school, so I can relate). I have no doubt that once he has developed automaticity, timed tests will no longer be a hurdle.
There are also some small holes in his conceptual understanding (he's forgotten stuff). So, the hope was that a very one-on-one program with the emphasis on learning and cementing the facts through games and other activities would work for him. We like the idea of using the abacus to help with his visual learning, not as a crutch but a temporary scaffold.
So, we gulped, paid the cash and took him to Level C (he started with Transitions first, which is designed as a bridge for students coming from a different math program), which we knew would have a good bit of review. Ok, a lot of review. But once you've got the basics down, you can move on.
And since we want Mary to also have a strong conceptual understanding, we put her in Level B.
And this week we decided this really isn't working for our homeschool. The first problem: in early October, 19-month-old Emma decided she no longer takes naps. Not only that, she decided that since she no longer takes naps, she will just climb out of her crib, open the bedroom door and run on downstairs to continue to wreak havoc. Makes it a little hard to get all the one-on-one time in, if you know what I mean? And we have other things besides math that require one-on-one time. Like Mary's All About Spelling. And Peter's reading. Although I have had David work with him successfully.
Second problem: too much review, for both children. Mary is bored to tears with representing addition problems with pictorial base-ten cards, the abacus (she absolutely hated using tally sticks) and the like. Some of the lessons just seem, well, overkill. How many little bitty triangles can I honestly expect a 6-year-old to cut out to construct a 6-foot high Cotter Ten Fractal, even if we did it over a few days? And what does that really accomplish? And where would I put it, anyway? We have skipped over or abbreviated some lessons for both of them. And Mary has done some workbook pages, just because she likes workbook pages. Really.
Third problem: I'm sick of the spiraling. There, I said it. I think spiraling review is necessary, particularly for topics that won't be used often (like Roman numerals, and measuring), but if you can teach a 1st grader the 1/2 and 1/4 hours, you can certainly teach them to the 5's and even the actual time. Mary can certainly count by 5's. And if I'm going to show her how to add together 4-digit numbers using base ten and place value cards in lesson 30-something, why does she have to wait until lesson 90-something to do it on paper? She wants to do it on paper.
So, after having a heart-to-heart with hubby, we've decided we need a less formal approach for David that can be fit into little chinks and chunks of time as they come available. Hubby will be working with him in the evenings on mastering his multiplication facts. We'll continue to review addition and subtraction facts. Meanwhile, I'll peruse the rest of the RS book and see if there are any concepts he is missing. I'm thinking up some activities to reinforce that work. And none of them require the expensive Right Start manipulatives. The abacuses will come in handy, though.
For Mary, I'm seriously considering go to a (shudder) workbook, but using the workbook as reinforcement and concentrating mainly on getting her to memorize her addition and subtraction facts...she has drill-o-phobia, too. But, she'll write out math facts all day long if you ask her to, just don't put a time limit on it. We'll also be doing some less formal learning. Today, we were working on counting money. Quarters are hard, but she's got the dimes and nickels down.
What I've learned from this experience that I needed to know:
- I am totally capable of teaching any and all of these concepts in my homeschool (we'll see how I feel when we get to Algebra 2). Even without a fancy math program.
- Mary has trouble with spatial relationships (she can't visualize, for instance, that if she flips 2 triangles around the right way and puts them together, she'll get a slanted parallelogram, she just keeps turning them the same way), not something to worry about, since she's still young (almost 7) and girls tend to have more trouble with this area than boys, but something to work on.
- Both children have very different learning styles. Mary doesn't even like manipulatives.
- David understands more than I realized.
- It's not the end of the world. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, he will get this. He won't be mathematically crippled for life.
You learn something new every day...
And that when my gut tells me that this should be the last row for today, so the learner can end in triumph, rather than a mess of dropped and twisted stitches, that I really should just lay down the law and not get talked into "one more row."
And that my method of knitting isn't so weird after all...it's Continental (yarn is held in the left-hand). I taught myself to knit years ago and never saw anyone else knit (in person) holding the yarn in the left hand, so I always thought I was just weird. Turns out it's pretty conventional, just not in English speaking countries, lol. I can't do English knitting, it just feels wrong. Maybe I'm a closet lefty.
Review: KB Teachers
Looking for a never ending supply of customized worksheets to keep the kiddos busy? KB Teachers has what you're looking for, and they've thrown in some bonuses: web quests, free clipart, and plenty of pre-made worksheets on various topics from astronomy to ancient history.
Disclosure: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free subscription to KB teachers for this review. I received no other compensation. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Now you're thinking: "Worksheets, what's the big deal, there are tons of free worksheets available all over the internet."
And that's true. Given the plentitude of free resources out there, many of them made by teachers and other homeschooling mamas (and papas), any service that provides worksheets for pay has got some pretty stiff competition. It's going to have to be really good. How does KB Teachers measure up?
The site is easy to navigate. There's no search function, but this is intentional. The goal is to get you where you want to be within a couple of clicks and I like that. A well organized site that doesn't require me to scan through of couple of pages for possibles saves me some valuable time.
There are numerous premade worksheets waiting to be printed off. One thing that struck me was the number of worksheets for older students (middle school and high school) for history and geography. Worksheet sites tend to be mostly for the elementary grades, so I was impressed by this.
Most of the science worksheets could be used for multiple grades. There are sheets on marine biology, human anatomy, plants, nutrition, astronomy, geology, weather & climate, and dinosaurs. A nice mix of topics, not a curriculum by itself, but nice little extras to add to whatever you are using. The answer keys are complete, so some of these could even be used independent of a curriculum (perfect for when one of the kiddos announces he wants to study octopi on a rainy day, for instance).
Graphics on the worksheets tend to be pretty low-tech, this is not necessarily a negative (really nice graphics would drink up tons of ink, after all), just an observation.
Alphabet and picture counting worksheets will keep your preschool to K kiddos busy while your elementary students work on sheets you've created from the handwriting and math worksheet generators. You can choose print or cursive (solid or dotted) fonts, in color or black and white.
Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Check out the calendar for this month's web quests. For November, there were web quests for Charles Schultz's birthday, peanut butter fudge day, Veteran's Day, Marie Curie's birthday, Thanksgiving and many many more special topics.
What did I like?
KB Teachers is a handy "go-to" site to quickly print off a few pages without doing a bunch of hunting around. I really liked the option for making worksheets using ASL and Morse code…unusual and cool! And having the option of printing many of the worksheets in black and white or color is perfect. Sometimes you want a little color and sometimes you want to save on ink.
What could be improved?
I found the offerings to be fairly limited. I would like to see more font options for the handwriting worksheets. There are free handwriting worksheet generators out there with more options.
The web quests need to be updated. Out of the half dozen or so that I checked the links on, all had at least some dead links, and a few had no good links. The web is a dynamic place that is constantly changing…in order for web quests to work, they need to be constantly updated.
What don't I like?
Although I applaud the designer's desire to remove a need for a search function, I would like the option of a search function.
Seasonal pages are only linked to the menu "in season," so without a search function I can't go looking for Christmas in July.
No save function---I realize this is to protect the company's interests (why renew your subscription if you've saved their content to your hard-drive?). Your subscription entitles you to print from their site, not to save files from their site. However, pdf print drivers do work on this site.I hear that KB Teachers is in the process of remodeling their site...there may be changes on the horizon.
Would I recommend it?
If you like using worksheets in your homeschool KB Teachers is worth a look. We don't tend to use very many worksheets, though I have used them when I need to keep some people busy. In my case, it probably wouldn't make much sense to have a subscription, but for someone who uses more worksheets, the price for KB Teachers is quite reasonable.
How much?
You can actually print most of the worksheets on this site for free…if you don't mind a very obvious, somewhat obscuring "watermark."
Yes, it really does print with that light blue lettering across it.
For a premium membership to KB Teachers that removes all watermarks, the price is $29 for 12 months or $49 for 2 years. It comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.
For more reviews on this product, please visit the TOS Homeschool Crew blog page.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Win a 3-Month Sub to Jumpstart.com
Disclosure: This post is part of my entry in the drawing.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
"What have you got in your mouth?"
Of course, she spit it out and it went rolling under the desk. What was it?
A chewed up, used, camouflage not-Bandaid-brand cloth bandage.
Guess it had good mouth feel.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Carmex Giveaway!
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Catholic Toolbox
The Reluctant Surfer
The computer age has had a drastic impact on how most of us spend our spare time. Who can fault the quest for more information, more input, more meat for our little gray cells to chew on? Too bad we're too busy jumping from one link to another to actually do anything of lasting consequence with all that information. The sad truth is that our brains are simply overwhelmed by all that information coming from all different directions at the same time. To make sense of any of it, you have to wear blinders to block out some of the irrelevant stuff.
What if the "irrelevant" stuff you are blocking out is your family? Or even just yourself?
What do we gain by opening 10 different tabs at one time in a browser and clicking between this site and that site, snatching up bits of conversation, chatter, mostly inanities here there and everywhere?
There will always be tidbits worth reading, but I find it interesting that with the apparent ease of finding any information you need, we are spending more and more time searching---where does the search end?
Here's a few tidbits to chew on:
- You may have heard once upon a time that the human brain can only hold about 7 bits of info in its working memory at any given time...while this may be true, to actually do anything with the info, it would need to be fewer bits than that.
- That every time you come across a link in something you're reading online, you're brain has to decide whether to follow it---just making this split-second decision is enough to interrupt the average person's train of thought and reduce comprehension.
- When you switch back and forth between one task and another, your brain has to keep switching info that is in your working memory to your long-term memory and vice versa---you need to reacquaint yourself with what you are doing. So, if you stop to check your email every 5 minutes, you probably won't get very much done.
This is an unsolicited, uncompensated post. I'm reading this book, amid my constant interruptions in life---it's slow going since I can only keep about 3-4 bits of info in my working memory at any given time.
The Weary (Wary) Blogger
And then a unique opportunity came along, she found out that the Old Schoolhouse Magazine was starting a new focus group program...a group of bloggers, support leaders, people of influence to write real reviews about homeschool products...and Homeschooling Hearts & Minds was born.
Over the past 2 years this blog has changed and mutated. It's been an obsession at times and neglected at other times. It's easy to lose sight of your original plans, hopes and dreams. I really didn't have any when I started. I just wanted to write some decent content that was worth reading. And maybe find that a few regular readers thought it was worth reading.
But at some point I developed a drive to gain a bigger readership and started worrying about things like keywords, page rank, bounce rate. I started participating in more memes, even started a meme of my own (it flopped---do you know how many memes there are out there and how hard it is to get one started?), participating in carnivals, linking to linkies, doing giveaways and reviews outside of homeschooling products.
And worrying about scheduling posts for every day of the week and alternating this kind of content with that kind of content. And promoting giveaways. And commenting on other blogs. And ta-da, I suddenly realized that my heart wasn't part of the equation anymore. And I started hobbling along.
I've never been good at following someone else's drummer.
Publishing content based on everyone else's schedule simply doesn't suit me. I've already got 4 cute little tyrants (whose combined ages total less than my own)...while they may not call the shots, the reality is that my time is simply not my own while they are awake (and not while they sleep either). My blog's content and when it appears should be the one thing that I have complete control over. There really shouldn't be anything here that I don't want here. Period.
The temptation is to just put the blog on a high shelf and take it down every once in a while to dust it off and publish a homeschool review that I've already committed to writing. I don't really want to do that. I like to think I have something of true value to add to the blogosphere, but we'll just have to see how things shake out.
Fit Mommy Challenge: Week 3
OK, I'm a bit slow this weekend...don't ask, you don't really wanna know. So, I'm going to try to keep this brief. You can read my goals for the 10-week Fit Mommy Challenge here.
Sweets: No candy, no dessert that wasn't actually a dessert (although, I did have 3 cookies for one dessert, that was a bit of an extravagance, I admit). And for the commenter who said I must like cookies (*U*), when your hubby makes 3 different batches of cookies in one week, well let's just say they were staring me in the face.
Nutrition: I bought pounds of produce last weekend, and yes I did consume large amounts of spinach, tomatoes, avocados, and red bell peppers. I also worked on improving my protein intake by having an occasional handful of nuts.
Water intake: This varied a good bit from day-to-day, I seem to have lost my rhythm from the first week. This is what I figured out:
- It's better to get in the water as early in the day as possible (and don't drink water after dinner unless you want to get up in the middle of the night).
- It's better to drink most of the water before drinking any tea.
- It's better to drink 8oz or even 10oz glasses than 12 or 14oz glasses.
- I learned that I get plenty of exercise on Sundays without the Wii---we walk to church and this often involves carrying a 25 pound toddler as fast as I can because we are usually running late, ahem.
- If I do my Active workout before doing the body test on Wii Fit, I do much better on the tests and get a lower Wii Fit Age. Exercise improves my balance and reaction times.
Review: Corps of Re-Discovery
After trekking through 47 of the 50 United States, one homeschooling family was inspired to share our nation's heritage through hands-on learning with all of us who can't take off in a 32-foot RV to explore it all firsthand…and Corps of Re-Discovery was born. On their site, you'll find an interesting assortment of crafty kits and and doodads to add some memorable moments to your American history studies.
Disclosure: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received a Fringe Pouch Kit to review. I received no compensation. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Mary (age 6) was very excited when this came in the mail: something to sew! Here she is, getting ready to stitch together the pre-punched suede.
(Picture to the left is the stock photo, colors will vary from kit to kit.)
The Fringe Pouch Kit comes with everything you need to make one pouch (except scissors): pre-punched suede leather pieces, leather cording, waxed linen, a needle and instructions.
The kit was very easy to assemble, in fact, once I got it set up, Mary was able to do this almost entirely on her own.
What we liked:
Quality materials and a simple project that really is doable in an afternoon for a 1st grade or older child. Mary's sense of accomplishment was wonderful!
What could be improved:
I would like to see clearer instructions with better (and more) illustrations. At least one illustration was labeled incorrectly, or at least, the instructions referred to a label that was not on the corresponding illustration. The instructions for threading the drawstring had me scratching my head for a minute, too. In the end, I figured it out by trying it on one side while showing Mary, but I can imagine that someone without sewing or crafting know-how might have some difficulty.
This was a good experience. I'm thinking about ordering another one of their kits. While the boys would probably like the Tomahawk, I'm leaning more towards the Patchwork Quilt or Weaving Loom.
The Fringe Pouch Kit is currently available for $11.99 (on sale) from Corps of Re-Discovery.
Prices on other kits vary.
For reviews on other kits, please visit the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
And the winner of the Baby Pack Giveaway is...
Commenter #21 was:
- Tristan said...
I would love more of the Sleep sacks, those are wonderful for keeping baby from kicking off blankets in the cold winter nights!
- November 5, 2010 6:03 PM
Congratulations, Tristan!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Spend $30 in the Old Schoolhouse Store TODAY...
This is an unsolicited, uncompensated post:-)
FREE: The Old Schoolhouse Digital Holiday Supplement
Get it now, to help you start planning your holidays: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/holiday2010#pg1
And stayed tuned...I just got an email saying they will have $10 subscriptions to the Old Schoolhouse Mag on MONDAY! If you missed the last great deal, you can still get in. Each day after that, the price goes up $2, til it hits $20 on Saturday. Plus, there will be some chances at some great "doorprizes" for subscribing next week.
This is an uncompensated post.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Gratitude Flows Withing: Day 11
For the past several days, I've just felt like I've been rushing about, not getting very much done. Suddenly, my house is (relatively) neat and clean, the dishes are already washed, the kids are in bed, no reviews are due...I don't have anything that absolutely has to get done tonight. And I am truly thankful.
K'NEX Thanks Our Military Heros
My Brain is Draining...
Did you know that the very medium which we use to get information actually affects the structure of our brains? Fascinating stuff. Scary too.
I have a love/hate relationship with my computer right now. I would love to throw it right out the window. But I can't. It has become a necessary tool in my everyday life. I need it to keep in contact with certain people. I need it to write reviews that I've agreed to do. I need it to type up the kiddos' novels for National Novel Writing month. I need it to print out curriculum, to renew my library books, to get the co-op schedule. There are so many things I need and want to accomplish...and so many of them require me to be connected.
But, this great time-saver, this powerful tool, is also a time-waster, a distraction, capable of actually sucking knowledge and, quite possibly, good judgment from my brain. As much as I love the easy access to knowledge that the web affords, I'm beginning to doubt the value of that knowledge. And to cringe at the cost. I know that's a bit cryptic. Read the book (really). More on this at a later date at a more decent hour.
Disclosure: Nobody asked me to talk about this book, it's what I'm reading right now. Checked it out from the library. You can, too.
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 10
I'm a little late, again. Right now I'm thankful for being done for the day, finally.:-)
But tomorrow...oops, today! is another day and I'm ready to go to bed, get a few hours sleep and give it all another go. I've got ambitions, you see. Dreams of a dirty laundry free hallway upstairs, of a bedroom that I can leave the door open to, of no more dirty dishes in the sink, no more crumbs on the kitchen floor, no more stacks on my kitchen island, no more lego to dig into the bottom of my feet when I walk across the living room floor (or plastic barbed wire, whatever that thing was).
I'm thankful that I can have a positive attitude this late at night even though my house and me are both a wreck. And I'm grateful that God has given me the vision of what my home can look like with a little bit of willpower and lot of work. And help. He's shown me to ask for help. That's important.
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Review: The Write Foundation
When homeschooling mama, Rebecca Celsor, took on teaching writing in a co-op, she searched high and low for the just the right curriculum. It should be easy to follow and take the kiddos step-by-step through the process of developing their writing from the foundations up…but when she couldn't find it, she found herself writing her own curriculum: The Write Foundation.
This complete writing curriculum is divided into 3 levels:
- Sentence to Paragraph Writing (ages 11-13)
- Paragraph Writing (ages 12-15)
- Essay Writing (ages 14-17)
Each level contains a total of 30 lessons, which can be taught over the course of a year, or take 2 weeks for each lesson and stretch the course over 2 years. The complete curriculum includes the spiral-bound instruction manuals, loose worksheets and a cd-rom containing teacher's presentations (example worksheets for teaching purposes), reading lists, grading sheets, word games, check lists, and weekly assignments. You will also need to purchase a 3-ring binder, 8 dividers, 6 different colored highlighters, and Mind Benders from Critical Thinking Co. (MB is optional, but a worthwhile addition). You will also need a Thesaurus and a dictionary.
For this review I received Level 1: Sentence to Paragraph Writing Lessons 1-15 to use with 10-year-old David. David is a strong writer for his age. He has a good grasp of language and sentence structure, but needs some help with organizing his thoughts…a paragraph can run to a whole page, if you know what I mean. He also tends to be a bit reluctant about writing…he's grown out of this some the past year or so, but writing things out, especially with paper and pencil is generally not his idea of a fun time (unless it's his idea). The Write Foundation is specially geared towards reluctant writers, so I thought this would be a good fit. Having known students when I was in college who needed to visit the Writing Center every week for remedial tutoring, I know how important it is to get the right foundation.
What we like:
David is enjoying this curriculum. When I first told him we would be starting a new writing program, he groaned. Now that he's writing silly sentences and creating concrete and acrostic poetry, he's not demanding to do it every day, but he's not complaining about it (always a good sign). The assignments are pretty fun and encourage him to expand his vocabulary by using a Thesaurus and a dictionary. He likes that the final assignments to be graded must be typed (handwriting is still an issue for him).
I like that the program is incremental, so he doesn't have to try to wrestle a paragraph into shape right away. We began by marking up sentences for subjects and verbs, and learning how to add more interesting language to his sentences. We'll eventually move on to outlining ideas and finally writing full paragraphs.
The forays into poetry add variety and an appreciation for language. The poetry in the Write Foundation is not what you would call high art. I do have a little bit of concern about this…I don't want to foster the idea that a poem is just something that rhymes, but I also don't want poetry to seem like some inaccessible thing not to be enjoyed. I know from experience that poetry writing can have a very positive impact on a writer's other writings. We've learning about alliteration (an effective tool in other writing, too) and how the physical shape of a poem can convey a message.
The teaching sessions are a joint effort---David likes that we are working together---to cement the idea, then he does his "homework" (independent work) on his own. The technique here is almost perfect. Personal experience has shown me that telling the kiddos how to do something, or even showing them how to do something, is not really enough to ensure that they get it. We need to do it together. And not just 1-2 examples, but several times so they are comfortable with what they are doing. The Write Foundation gives you plenty of examples to do with your kiddos (almost too many, really, but you don't have to use them all). By the time I send David off to do his own work, I know that he knows what he's doing.
What we tweaked:
Ms. Celsor does state in the introduction that you should change the curriculum as you need to …do not feel you are a slave to it. Of course, she knows that this is what homeschoolers do best.
Keeping in mind that this curriculum really was designed for a co-op, there are some things that we found weren't necessary in our home situation. The 8-dividers were a little confusing at first, but I've found that we really don't use all of them (I grade assignments right away, for instance, so no need to have a separate section for things waiting to be graded).
Some of the suggested activities don't really work as well in a home situation, (like interviewing other students in lesson 3), but alternatives are sometimes offered.
I found some of the independent assignments to be too long, partly because by the time David gets to doing the independent work, he's already done the bulk of the teaching session's work (with some input from Mom). Here's an example: For Lesson one, one teaching session involved writing several silly sentences using alliterating words. While David and I technically did this together, the sentences came from him, I just wrote them on the whiteboard, he copied them and then he highlighted the parts. The independent assignment required him to write 10 more sentences on his own. Since I already knew he got it, this seemed a bit too much, and I didn't want a rebellion on my hands, so I assigned 5 sentences. He surprised me by having so much fun with it that he wrote 8 sentences.
What needs improvement:
While the overall curriculum is well organized and progresses logically, the week to week lessons are a bit of a jumble. The information to teach is presented in one order, but when you get to the assignment page at the end of the lesson, the days are laid out in a different order. For example, in Lesson 2, Concrete Poetry is presented last in the teacher's notes, and yet the assignment schedule has it at day 2 for the week. The flipping back and forth and trying to figure out where I was at simply didn't work for me, so I just worked from the teaching notes and ignored the assignment page. Worked ok, except the teaching notes don't always have all the assignments to be given…oops! That's another inconsistency.
I also found a number of typographical errors, some grammatical mistakes and so forth, things that require an editor's eye. I wouldn't give a curriculum a thumbs down on this basis alone (I know how easy it is to make these mistakes, blush), but it is distracting in a curriculum designed to teach writing. There were also some gaffes in the teaching notes where answers were being given for worksheets (verbs that were supposed to be highlighted, but weren't, for instance) and inconsistencies between what at least one worksheet had on it and the the manual said it had on it. Minor little things, but they might be obstacles to someone who's not confident in teaching this subject.
The curriculum was shipped with the worksheets loose…and a teeny bit crumpled. I'd like to see these packed more carefully.
I like the idea of the program and what the author is trying to achieve. While I don't think the execution is spot on, The Write Foundation is definitely a worthwhile program and I can see that it's accomplishing the goals in mind. We will continue to use it. I don't know that I would purchase lessons 16-30...the price seems a bit steep for the materials included, but I'm a cheapskate. UPDATE 11-15-10: The Write Foundation has reduced their prices (current prices reflected below) and the author is revising the curriculum to make it more homeschool friendly.
The Write Foundation Curriculum Bundles (Includes instruction manuals, printed worksheets, and cd-rom with additional resources to print):
Level 1 complete (includes lessons 1-30):
$100 $69.95 plus tax and shipping
Level 1 (lessons 1-15 or lessons 16-30):
$65 $39.95 plus tax and shipping
You can also purchase the instruction manuals and worksheets separately.
Sample lesson plans available here.
Also available: Level 2 and Level 3
See more reviews of this product and of levels 2 and 3 on the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog.
Disclosure: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received a free copy of the product reviewed in order to review it. I received no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 9
It was time...
Craving Thanksgiving?
While spending the day bent over the stove is not my idea of a fun time, I am craving some of those Thanksgiving treats.
I last made this roast for Christmas last year, and it was so yummy. Rave reviews from all our guests. I've got a pork roast in the freezer, might be time to fill the house with some crockpot cooking.
Cranberry Pork Roast (original recipe from Mable Hoffman's Crockery Cooking 1995)
1 (3-4 lb.) boneless or loin pork roast
salt and pepper to taste
1 c ground or finely chopped cranberries (my blender does a fabulous job)
1/4 c honey
1 tsp. freshly grated orange peel
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 freshly grated nutmeg
Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper. Place in a slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; pour over roast. Cover and cook on LOW 8-10 hours or until roast is tender. Slice and serve hot.
Notes: The original recipe puts this at 6-8 servings...that's 1/2 lb of meat per person! You could serve many more especially with all your sides (my dressing is a meal in itself!). The last time I made this I did not have grated orange peel or the nutmeg...I skipped them and it came out fabulous anyway! Experiment with the seasoning. It also works well with pork chops.
The original recipe does not suggest it, but this makes an incredible gravy!
- When the roast is done, take it out and put it under a foil tent to stay hot.
- Raise your crock temp to HIGH.
- In a small bowl, mix a couple of heaping tbs. of cornstarch with an equal amount of water (or used liquid from the pot).
- Carefully whisk the cornstarch mixture into the liquid in the crock.
- Heat and stir occasionally until it thickens, about 10 mins. (If it's not as thick as you like, repeat).
And what about that dressing that's a meal in itself? OK, this is a special treat, because I have never posted this recipe, or given it to anybody or anything:
Susan's Once a Year Dressing (feeds a whole house full)
1 bag of Pepperidge Farm herbed bread cubes for stuffing (or, cube and dry a loaf of homemade bread)
1 bag of Pepperidge Farm cornbread stuffing (or crumble and dry a pan of cornbread---lay it out on a cookie sheet and dry in a slow oven)
1 stick melted butter
2 Tbsp. butter
2-3 cans of broth (veg or chicken, or I also use homemade-the amount here will depend on how wet you like your dressing)
1 lb. bulk sage sausage
1 large onion, finely chopped
2-3 stalks celery, finely chopped
8 - 12oz fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
1-2 cups walnut pieces
poultry seasoning (1-2 tsps, more or less)
You will need a huge bowl to mix this in (think 4- 5 quarts).
Pour your bread cubes and cornbread crumbs into your huge bowl.
Saute the onion and celery together in a large skillet in a couple Tbsps. butter until wilted and just starting to brown. Remove from pan and pour into your huge bowl.
Brown the sausage in the pan you sauteed the veg in. Drain and add to your bowl.
Saute your shrooms until they are completely sweated and have started to brown. Throw in your bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients (add the broth/stock last, one can at a time so you get the right consistency). Mix well. Pick up the bits that fell on the counter and put them back in the bowl. Mix again.
Pour into a greased 13 x 9 pan. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake another 15 or so minutes until it is brown on top.
All the amounts are adjustable in this recipe, and if you don't like mushrooms or nuts, leave them out.
Linking this up to MamaBuzz's Thanksgiving Recipe Exchange...check it out, there are some great giveaways.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 8
Ever had one of those days when you just want to knock a few heads together and call it a day? Except the kiddos are too busy knocking their own heads together to notice?
Maybe a rubber mallet would do it?
I think sending them outside is probably a healthier solution.
I am thankful that today was a sunny, if chilly, day and that the kiddos were able to play outside for a long time this afternoon. Sometimes it's more important to let them run around than do formal bookwork. I'm thankful that God has shown me the wisdom of that.
I'm thankful that Mary was able to go next door and retrieve David's shoe after he kicked it off his foot and over the fence.
I'm thankful that there was a minimum of fights while they were outside and only one kiddo got a ball in the face. And that it really was an accident.
I'm thankful that Emma has learned the word "me." She uses it whenever I ask "Who wants some ______?"
What are you thankful for today?
Let the Voting Begin! The HSBA are up!
Wow, from the looks of the nominations lists, it looks like they didn't use the " must be nominated 3 times" rule this year...this is a massive list of homeschool blogs to go through. :-) All my nominees are on there! Yeah! It would take me a whole month to visit all these blogs, but I don't have a month: voting ends Nov. 18th.
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet some new bloggers, so be sure to check it out.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 7
I'm grateful for little boys with big imaginations and little girls who are not afraid to ask questions...though I am a little tired of cleaning up the debris of those grand plans and explaining in minute detail everything I do. Every minute of the day.
It helps to remember that it's the joy of learning that leads to the messes and inquisitions. I know it won't be long before they think they already know everything, so I'm enjoying it while I can.
What are you grateful for today?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 6
I'm grateful today for homemade bread with butter (I'd be even more grateful if it didn't go to my hips), cool (but not freezing) weather, hot showers, simple meals, and silence (when I can get it).
What are you grateful for today?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 5
So much to be grateful for today.
I'm grateful that the plumber was able to hook up our under-counter water filter without having to put in another supply pipe (long story), simple part we already had and the right know-how made it word...whoohoo, no more filling the Pur pitcher 20 times a day.
I'm grateful that I rediscovered a homeschooling resource that I had forgotten we had. I have Emma to thank for that. If she wasn't so good at tearing things apart and spreading them all over the house, I never would have had to pick it up off the floor. It's the A2 Curriculum from Accelerated Achievement, and there are some phonics materials in there that are going to be perfect for Peter and some other materials that will be good for the older children.
I'm grateful that hubby made it back safely this evening after attending a conference and in time to help put the kiddos to bed (albeit a bit late, wink).
I'm grateful that the school week is over (did I say that?) because I have some planning I want to do for next week.
Most of all, I'm grateful to our Lord for making this...all of this and so much more...real.
Fit Mommy Challenge: Week 2
See my first post on the Fit Mommy 10 week challenge to see my goals.
This week was harder, stress was my enemy and somehow the kiddos pushed every button I have until…I really did want chocolate.
The sweets journal:
On Saturday, I had a shortbread cookie for dessert (hubby and the kiddos made them, how could I refuse?).
On Sunday I had 1 itty bitty piece if my nephew's cake. No Halloween candy, though.
On Monday, I did not trek to the store looking for 1/2 price Halloween candy (at least 300 kiddos came by our house the night before, and this is not an exaggeration, so we have no candy left other than my kiddos bags, no temptation!). I did have 2 shortbread cookies for dessert.
On Tuesday, I had a cookie for dessert.
On Wednesday, I did have some cookie dough. Horrors! And it did have Heath bits in it. Oops! In my defense, I didn't know about the Heath bits until after I had some and then it was too late.
On Thursday, I had 2 cookies made from the cookie dough I had a taste of the day before. For dessert, of course.
Today, I had a cup of mocha cappuccino.
Water intake:
48 glasses of water (10-12 oz glasses)---I was a little light on the water intake this week. Our filtering pitcher suddenly stopped filtering, so water quality was not so good (our new undercounter filter is finally installed, so that's no longer a prob) and we were out of the house more than usual.
Tea intake:
8 mugs---not too bad for a whole week.
Between cold and rain, the weather hasn't been great for outside activities. Saturday I fell asleep instead of exercising. I started EA Sports Active for Wii on Monday. This is cool! I'm definitely getting a workout with it (I know this because I'm sore all over all the time, ha ha). I've completed 80% of the first week's goal. I do that for 2 days and then for the "rest" days, I do some light activity with Wii Fit. I will probably take one day off each week. So, 20 minutes of exercise each day 5 days out of 7, and today's not over yet. Not bad.
Review: Collectorz.com Book Collector Pro 7.0
From oversized picture books to a set of encyclopedias to cheap paperbacks, we have thousands of books in our home. What homeschool doesn't? In fact, we are setting up a library of sorts. But organizing it all is a bit daunting…I admit that I've found more than one copy of more than one book while in the process of unpacking, and sometimes even on the same shelf.
How many many times have I gotten an idea for a great unit study, scoured the local library's shelves looking for resources, only to find the perfect book "shelved" behind the sofa? Or in the toy bin? How many times have I racked my brain trying to think of that history book I was saving for 6th grade…and trying to find it amongst those double-shelved shelves?
And lest you think this is simply a lack of personal organization (and I admit, some of it is), my shelving of books in my home library is not alphabetical or Dewy Decimal for a very good reason: lack of space and aestheticism. A library has the luxury of shelving books of the same subject or author, regardless of the physical size and appearance of the books, but a bibliophile simply has to keep trade paperbacks together, over-sized books together, and so on…unless I'm going to add free-standing stacks to the middle of my library. Not going to happen.
I need a system to organize our books that doesn't require physically organizing them beyond making the most of my available space. Book Collector Pro from Collectorz is just the thing.
Adding your books into Book Collector is easy peasy. If you have a scanner, like the cuecat (I don't), you can scan barcodes, but if not, typing in a 10- or 13-digit isbn for each book is not at all taxing with a numberpad. I was able to enter stacks of books in no time at all. Just type in the isbn, click search, and Book Collector will search its online database for your book, pulling up all the relevant info, including a cover image. Don't have an isbn? Books and magazines can be entered with an LC (Library of Congress) number, by title and by author. Your search will bring back a list of "likely suspects" to choose from. In the event that your book cannot be found, titles and info can be added manually. Cover image wrong? You can search for the correct cover for your edition or even upload your own image! This feature is super cool for me…I'm pretty visual, so knowing what a book looks like helps me tremendously when locating it or even when trying to remember what it's about.
And this is what really sets Book Collector apart from other book database programs I have seen: it is so customizable! Each book has its very own profile where you can categorize it by subject and genre, choose it's format (paperback, comb-binding, e-book, etc.), add notes as to its actual physical location (whether it's a bathroom book or a bedroom book), give it an owner (create different owner designations for each family member), keep track of it if you loan it out, and more. You can even input books you don't own one your "wishlist."
Being able to categorize the books by their binding, or lack thereof (I'm thinking of the myriads of e-books I've got stashed on my hard-drive and various flash-drives, ahem), is a definite plus. Being able to note each book's location, perfect! I'm seriously considering numbering each of my bookshelves and giving it a designation in Book Collector. It would make it so much easier to locate wayward books. Plus, for every e-book, I can note which flash-drive or hard-drive it is on, what folder, etc. I'm really pleased with this. Maybe this will push me to finally organize all my stuff.
You can add your own genres and subjects, too. And since all your books can be sorted by subject or genre (or title, or author, or…), it's quite easy to create your own categories to "browse" when you are looking for the perfect resource. I could for instance, categorize books as homeschool books, 1st grade math, science unit study, whatever floats my boat…and makes it work for me.
If you are prone to double-buying books, ahem, there's also an iPod app available to export your book list from Book Collector Pro to your iPhone or iPod Touch for $9.99.
Can you tell I like it?
Download the free trial of Book Collector and give it a try (you can input up to 100 books with the free trial).
Book Collector Standard is available for $29.95.
Book Collector Pro is available for $49.95.
What's the dif? The Pro version allows you to use the iPod app, keep track of book loans, create customized lists, adds extra user defined fields (even rename fields if you like), and more. Check the site for a comparison.
Available for Windows and for Mac OS X.
Disclosure: This is a TOS Homeschool Crew review. I received a free license for this software for review purposes. I received no other compensation.
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 4
But I haven't gone to bed yet, so I think it still counts.
Tonight I am thankful that I have a sweet baby in my arms as I type this. At 19-months, she's not really a baby anymore. And, yes, I do wish she were asleep in her own room instead of making my arm go to sleep. There are always so many other important things I could be doing. Like washing dishes or folding laundry or even, gasp, sleeping myself.
But tonight I'm thankful that I'm able to hold her and love and cherish her babyhood a little while longer. Even if my hand is all pins and needles from trying to type while her sweet head cuts off my blood circulation. Sometimes love hurts, lol.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Book Review: The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead
What would you do if you found yourself in an unfamiliar part of town and out of the shadows stepped your great-grandfather…the rogue who abandoned his wife and family long before you were ever born and simply vanished. Except that if this man really is your great-grand, he's well over a 100-years-old if he's a day, yet he's a spry one for all those years. He starts talking to you about ley lines and traveling through time to another place where things happened a little differently than in the world you know. And how he needs your help. Would you take his hand, take a chance and enter an alternate reality?
This is the dilemma that faces Cosimo Christopher Livingstone (Kit, to you) at the beginning of The Skin Map, the first book in Stephen R. Lawhead's Bright Empires series from Thomas Nelson. Before it's over, he and his girlfriend, Mina, will find themselves becoming regular time-travelers searching for the coveted Map, a series of intricate tattoos preserved in the skin of a man who has long been dead. They hope it holds the secret to knowing where they are and where they are going. They know that if it falls into the wrong hands, their own lives are forfeit.
And by the end, you'll be wondering when the next book is coming out.
I enjoyed The Skin Map. At first, Kit came across as a loser and Mina sounded like someone I really just don't want to care about. But they grew on me, foibles and all. And they grew up a good bit over the course of the book---it seems they just needed the right impetus to snap them out of their gray lives. Lawhead very carefully weaves together several narratives, showing you glimpses here, snatches there of the overall story from different perspectives. You'll meet the original bearer of the map and his chief adversary who will take it at any cost. You'll journey through different times and locations and ponder the ethics of changing history in alternate reality where that history hasn't happened, yet, and may never happen. And you'll care about whether Kit, his great-grandpa, and Mina will get out alive.
I really do want to read the next book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for review purposes. I received no other compensation. This review reflects my honest opinions.
Review: Columbus Terra Political Globe
CSN Stores has all kinds of household goods, but did you know that they have high quality educational products for your homeschool, too? Like this beautiful political globe from Columbus:
This illuminated globe shows political boundaries when it isn't lit, but when lit, it becomes a topographical globe:
The stock photo doesn't show it, but the cord comes out of the south pole axis, which does not in any way interfere with its rotation. The globe comes with a candelabra bulb installed and a spare bulb.
At 10" (globes are measured in diameter), the Terra Political Globe is large enough that you can read most of the names (though if you have tired eyes like mine, you might like a magnifying glass), but small enough that it's not impossible to store when not in use (I have it on top my my fridge).
What we love about it:
The actual globe is a virtually unbreakable acrylic ball! For those of you have been reading me long enough, you know we don't have a good track record when it comes to globes:
I'm hopeful that the Terra globe will last for a good long while…or at least until all the political boundaries in the real world change.
The bulb inside is not indestructible, that might be a problem.
What could be improved:
- The entire thing is made of plastic, which is a selling point for use with kiddos (nobody can brain anybody with a plastic base), but also a drawback. The hollow base is not heavy enough to resist tipping when 3 kiddos are simultaneously spinning the globe. I may try weighting it with some modeling clay.
- The legend for the topographical map is very faint (it only appears when the globe is illuminated) and hard to read.
- No political boundaries for the states in the U.S. This is not an American maker, so I wasn't actually surprised by this. The map is labeled with the names of countries and cities.
Overall, I'm very pleased with our new globe, and so are the kiddos…it's helping to feed their enthusiasm for geography and the world we live in…definitely a worthwhile tool for our homeschool.
The Columbus Terra Globe is available for $49.95 at CSN Stores and it ships for free!
Disclosure: I received this product for free from CSN Stores for review purposes. I received no other compensation.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Gratitude Flows Within: Day 3
Today I am grateful that the furnace did decide to come on this morning after all. Visions of spending money (that we don't have) on a new furnace expired as the smell of warm metal wafted through my nostrils and radiant heat took off the morning chill. Not poetry, I know, but something to be thankful for.
Giveaway: Halo, Mam and More Baby Gift Pack!---CLOSED
If you've just had a baby, are a expecting a baby or have a friend with a new baby, this giveaway is for you. This gift pack is full of goodies sent to me through the MOM Magazine samples for bloggers program.
Clockwise from the top left: Knit cap from Baby K'Tan, 8 oz and 5 oz Anti-Colic Bottles from Mam, Halo SleepSack Swaddle (newborn), Mam Start Orthodontic pacifier (newborn).
Baby K'Tan is known for their ultra-soft stretchy cotton double-sling carriers. I loved ours when Emma was a wee one.
Washable, flexible, useful for getting your hands free. Did you know that they also sell the new breathable Breeze carrier, My Royal Heinie Purses, burpies, teething jewelry, and more, including this cute little baby cap?
The winner will receive one 100% cotton, warm cocoa cap.
MAM is an award winning maker of baby care products, and well-known in Europe for their innovative designs (based in Austria). The winner will also receive 2 Anti-Colic bottles (one 5 oz and one 8 oz, both pink), featuring patented Silky Teat silicone nipples and an innovative base vent that helps control milk flow and air pressure in the bottle. Bottles are BPA-free. Note: These are brand-new but do not have retail packaging.
The winner will also receive a MAM Start Orthodontic pacifier for newborns. The binky is BPA-free, has a Silky Teat silicone nipple and features a cute yellow and bright green heart.
With the cold weather here, the winner will be thankful to have a 100% cotton SleepSack Swaddle from Halo. This adorable polka-dot printed sleeping blanket will keep your precious kiddo snug and warm and give you a gentle reminder to put her "back to sleep." The swaddle fastens with a hook and loop closure and is removable for when your little one outgrows it. Zipper zips from the bottom, making diaper changes a breeze and preventing the dreaded zippered chin. Fits up to 12 lbs.
This is the actual print the winner will receive (minus the kid, of course):
This would make an awesome gift for your little one. This giveaway is open to US residents only, please.
Deadline: Friday, November 12, 2010 (midnight EST)
Winner will be determined using random.org.
There are many ways to enter, please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure that your email is visible in your profile or the comment (you can't win if I can't figure out how to contact you).
Mandatory to enter: It's super easy, just leave me a comment telling me who you'd like this gift pack for.
Optional additional entries:
- Follow Homeschooling Hearts & Minds in GFC. If you already follow just leave me a comment saying so. (1 entry)
- Blog about it, linking to this post. (2 entries)
- Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway---you can use the following text. (1 entry)
- Win! Baby gift pack: Halo SleepSack Swaddle, and more on Homeschooling Hearts and Minds. http://tinyurl.com/35ob35z
- Visit any of the vendors sites and tell me one other thing you'd like to have for your precious bundle. (1 entry)
Disclosure: I received these items through the MOM Magazine sample program for bloggers. I was under no obligation to write a sparkling review. I received no compensation.


text:
When should gardeners prune freeze damage?
Record breaking low temperatures in January caused a lot of frozen pipes and other problems. And landscape plants took it on the chin as well. When is a good time to start pruning the freeze-damaged stems from shrubs and perennials?
Remember the Easter freeze of 2007? Many plants were severely damaged or killed by abnormally low temperatures, because the juices were already flowing in plant stems. But this year's sub-zero temperatures occurred when plants were dormant, and much less susceptible to harm.
So be patient. Many plants look bad now, but will recover nicely as spring progresses. Wait until at least mid-April (and maybe later) when significant new growth has appeared, to start cutting into those supposedly damaged stems. The situation might not be as bad as it looks.
Jim Janke is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. For more information call the Haywood County Extension Center at 828-456-3575. © 2014 NC State University.


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I'm working on a chapter for our book. I still like either Off the Couch or Beyond the Couch for a title. Roy wants to name it Set the Couch on Fire. And he's not kidding. What do you think?
Okay, so the current chapter is on real life intrusions-- things that impact care, for better or for worse, in ways we may or may not really understand. So stuff external to the actual treatment. Some examples are--- Money/fees/ not showing up for appointments/ Violence (how does it impact care if you have a suicide attempt? If you threaten or assault your shrink?/ assumptions people make about their patients or shrinks/ drug company influences/ and the media portrayal of psychiatry. A lot of the chapter is about money and insurance companies and fees.
Are we missing anything? The chapter is short---still waiting for Clink to write about violence, still waiting for Roy to chip in. And really, this isn't a real entity in psychiatry, it's something to draw together some unrelated stuff we wanted to talk about and make it cohesive. So is there something you want to know about that might intrude on care?


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Thursday, July 28
Tuesday, June 18
There Can Be Only Pun: Math in the Kitchen!
You guys, I have an addiction. I'm addicted to puns. I need them. I can't get enough of them. I HUNGER FOR THEM. That's why I've set up this weekly blog feature: so you guys can feed my addiction. Every week, I'll name the topic, give you some examples, and then you'll pun away in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter. I'll choose the best ones and post them here next week. Sound good? Good! Let's do it!
THIS WEEK'S EPISODE: Math in the Kitchen
We're doing a pretty mathy Woot-Off right now, so I figured, why not get a little mathy in the pun post too? Except it's not just math. It's mathematical kitchen stuff. Check it:
Friday, August 17
Wootcasts from the Past: Back To School Edition
Our Dealgebra week of back-to-school deals and diversions is wrapping up! But not before we spend a few minutes in music class. Fill your ears with a few of the most educationally enriching tracks from our Wootcast archives!


text: sadly but seems to be true, the cheapest way to get a gun with every thing you want it right is to buy it that way....the gunsmiths that can work on the old soft colts are far and few between and expensive.. rightfully so, its a lot of work to get something right that is screwwed up by someone else... when you solicite some one to do a job your dealing with his ego, when he does the job your dealing with his profits. so sometimes what was said that will be done will be compromised over the long waiting period for what is profitable, justified by the high prices of staying in buisiness.. .. i dont doubt shop rate is 80 dollars an hour pluss in a lot of towns.. if you cant afford to get health insurance and send your kids to school why do it? sorry about the rambling. put the old stuff in a case,safe, or on the wall, buy new for the range.. just another opinion.. dave


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Electric Compliance Analyst
(Roseville Electric) City of Roseville, Sacramento/Metro Area
Date Opened: 9/10/2013
(Roseville Electric)
SALARY: $6790 to $9,100 MONTHLY (26 PAY PERIODS ANNUALLY)
FINAL FILING DATE: Accepting the first 50 qualified applications or closing at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
TENTATIVE TEST DATES: Oral Interview Exam: Tuesday, October 29, 2013
The Human Resources Department is accepting applications for the full-time position of Electric Compliance Analyst in the Electric Department. The normal work schedule will be Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A flex schedule may be available.
To plan, analyze, implement and report comprehensive regulatory compliance activities within the Electric Department, ensuring operations are compliant with electric industry, Federal, State and local standards, rules and regulations as applied to electric operations.
Receives general direction from the Electric Regulatory Compliance Administrator.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Develop, implement, maintain and audit a comprehensive compliance program in support of Electric Department operations.
• Develop, maintain and audit operations to ensure compliance with electric industry Federal, State and local standards and rules, including electric reliability standards enforced by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
• Establish processes, procedures and programs to monitor electric reliability standards development and inform appropriate staff of changes or additions to industry regulatory requirements and rules.
• Monitor and participate in industry forums and stakeholder groups relevant to the development and implementation of electric reliability standards in the western United States.
• Develop and maintain a tracking and record-keeping program for regulatory compliance filing requirements.
• Monitor operations and analyze data to ensure compliance with a variety of regional, State and Federal regulations; make recommendations for changes in operational procedures to remedy deficiencies identified.Develop and conduct training for staff on operational procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze deficiencies and create and recommend corrective action and mitigation plans including scope, timing and priority of planned response to observations, findings and conclusions of internal and external compliance audits and review of processes and procedures as they relate to compliance with Federal, State, WECC/NERC, and local standards and rules.
• Represent function on committees, outside organizations and at staff subcommittees as necessary, coordinate compliance activities with other divisions and outside agencies.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for compliance programs; implement policies and procedures.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of regulatory compliance associated with the electric utility industry.
• Principles and practices of safety pertaining to electric utility operations and maintenance.
• Principles and practices of technical report writing and documentation.
• Principles and practices of management information systems.
• Principles and practices of investigation and record keeping activities.
• Principles and methods of developing and presenting training materials.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Principles of budget monitoring.
• Modern office equipment, methods, procedures, and computer hardware and software.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
Ability to:
• Plan, analyze, implement and report comprehensive regulatory compliance strategies.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds of less.
• Interpret and explain pertinent rules, regulations, policies and procedures as they related to compliance program elements and department activities.
• Interpret and effectively apply Federal, State, and local laws, standards and regulations as they relate to environmental, safety and reliability compliance requirements of electric utility activities.
• Implement innovations designed to effectively track regulatory compliance requirements, in particular those of WECC and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Prepare and make effective training presentations regarding regulatory compliance, both formally and informally.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• May supervise, train and evaluate assigned office support staff.
Experience and Training
Two years of increasingly responsible experience administering an energy compliance tracking or regulatory management program, preferably with emphasis on electric reliability standards enforced by WECC and NERC.
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, economics or a related field.
License and Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.
1. Describe your experience in creating, implementing, and updating policies and procedures to support an entity's compliance with electric reliability standards enforced by WECC and NERC.
2. Describe your experience in researching, compiling, and reporting compliance information to regulatory agencies.
3. Describe your experience in monitoring electric industry forums and stakeholder group activities with regard to the development and implementation of electric reliability standards.
Applications will be screened to the most qualified candidates. Those candidates will be invited to an oral interview exam weighted at 100%. Scores earned from the oral interview will be used to establish the employment list. Candidates within the top five ranked scores will be certified to the department for final consideration. Final appointment is contingent upon a background check, passing a City-paid pre-employment medical exam, a drug and alcohol screening test, and a fingerprint check.
For more information regarding the City's benefits, visit our web site at www.roseville.ca.us


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Palms to Pines is a scary drive — your weekend trip
It's one of my favorite movies and favorite drives. Back in 1963, it seems every old comedian got together with Spencer Tracy, Ethel Merman and director Stanley Kramer for It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, a 153-minute romp around the Southern California countryside. And where the movie starts, where Jimmy Durante goes flying off the road in a '57 Ford Fairlane and utters those memorable words, "it's under the big dubbuah," is the Palms to Pines Highway.
One of the best collections of switchbacks in the Southwest is just south of Palm Springs, heading into the San Jacinto Mountains on state Route 74. It's all paved but certainly white-knuckle driving for most of the trip. And here's another bit of trivia… Google Maps and several other sources call it the "Pines to Palms" … well, check out the photo of the on-the-route display that clearly calls it "Palms to Pines." Great vistas, the town of Idylwild, desert and mountains. And look out for an aging moving van, a '57 Ford, '62 Plymouth wagon and a '62 Imperial convertible, maybe with Ethel Merman's legs sticking out of the window. Enjoy Palms to Pines»


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Beets in Orange Sauce RecipeRead Reviews Be the first to add a review
5 5 7
To ensure your family eats their veggies, our Test Kitchen home economists suggest you top beets with an irresistible orange glaze.
More Sauce Recipes
More Sauce Recipes
Recommended: 54 Amazing Ways to Love Winter Veggies
- 8 whole fresh beets
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Dash pepper
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 medium navel orange, halved and sliced, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
- Place beets in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool slightly. Peel and slice; place in a serving bowl and keep warm.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and pepper; stir in orange juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in orange slices if desired and peel. Pour over beets. Yield: 8 servings.
Editor's Note: A 15-ounce can of sliced beets may be substituted for the fresh beets. Drain the canned beets and omit the first step of the recipe.
Originally published as Beets in Orange Sauce in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2002, p18
Reviews for Beets in Orange Sauce
Please Log In or Join to add a rating and review.
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2015
"Not a beet person myself but this was quite good"
Reviewed Feb. 29, 2012
"Very good will be serving this dish often, will also try apricot preserves or orange marmalade to see how they taste."
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2010
"I was looking for a way to fancy up beets for Thanksgiving dinner & thought this would be great, and it was!! Everybody commented on how good it was. I also discovered that it is just as good as a cold side. A bit like pickled beets only with out the vinegar! I will definitely be making this again!"
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2010
"These are amazing!"
Reviewed Nov. 30, 2009
"Have been making this recipe for over 30 years....use either canned or fresh beets....can substitute cornstarch for butter and flour to make the rue....orginally got this recipe off the can of Libbys Beets."


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Discussion in 'Member Introductions' started by Christopher.Buck, Jan 8, 2011.
Hello all. I am am mobile electronics installer and avid Chevy driver.
Hey Christopher, welcome to the club, & thanks for your post clairifying the tinted windows discussion on that other thread.
Welcome aboard. More Texans are always good.
Welcome to the G M T C !
Welcome to the club!
Welcome !!!!!
Welcome aboard!
Welcome to the club! Great to have another Texas member. From the home of Mr. George W. Bush no less.
Separate names with a comma.


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Amerihome Inn & Suites Houston Airport North
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
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TripAdvisor Reviews Americas Best Value Inn & Suites- Houston Airport North
Travel Blogs from Houston
Just another day
... for breakfast and he said not really. Actually when we thought about it, since our friends were working for us, we shouldn't have even thought about going in for breakfast. So we stayed here and I went back to bed for a while.
Yesterday everything started officially, the vendors opened and the show coaches were made available for viewing. It took us about 20 minutes to walk slowly through the vendors and about ...
Houston, we're not Kennedy Space Center
... for the Orion programme, which will see people land on Mars in the mid 2030s. It was a really interesting building and cool to see actual workers doing their stuff. Third stop on the tour was a look at a rocket that was built for the Apollo programme but never got launched due to funding being pulled. It was interesting to hear the retired rocket scientist talk about the three stages of the rocket and what powers each of them. The rocket is ...
On the road again...
... a weekend so the traffic was not too bad. Seabrook is a really nice seaside town. For dinner we found an independent restaurant called Seabrook Classic Cafe. Sam had crab cakes and I had chicken schnitzel, and we shared a homemade key lime pie for dessert. The food was really yummy and there were lots of locals both eating in and taking out so it was a good ...
Houston - Takin Care of Business
... the heater and were toasty warm.
December 10
We need to take care of a bunch of stuff before we fly out to Germany tomorrow. Ted first went to the computer room to print off airline tickets, hotel bookings and other stuff we would need for the trip. He discovered that car rental reservation was lost and so he had to book it again but at a rate about $50 higher than the original booking for the rental period. We also did some research on German Christmas markets or ...
Horseriding & Thunderstorms
... rule of not getting attached to the animals. His horse Donny is his favourite and said if he would leave he would buy him off them. Donny is a famous horse and has been in movies and tv ads. Unfortunately, Donny bucked someone off him awhile back and had been deemed unsafe until Robert took him under his wings. A very cute story. He seems like a pretty good cowboy as those horses are trained well.
He brought over our horses and saddled them up. Nicole ...


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Pennell Introduced at UCA
CONWAY, AR - Former University of Central Arkansas Bear Russ Pennell is returning to the university as the head men's basketball coach.
Pennell, 53, was introduced at a Friday news conference as the new Bears coach by Dr. Brad Teague, UCA director of athletics.
"Russ Pennell is the total package,' said Teague. "He recruits relentlessly for quality students who make excellent teammates and ultimately great teams. Coach Pennell wants his players to succeed in academics and in life as much as the success they will find the court.
"Coach Pennell's attention to detail ensures an efficient operation. He and his staff will work extremely hard for UCA and our basketball program. We are very pleased Coach Pennell choose to come home to UCA.'
Pennell, from Pittsburg, Kan., played two seasons at UCA under Hall of Fame Coach Don Dyer. His coaching resume since then is thorough and impressive, as is the list of coaches he has worked under, including Hall of Famers Eddie Sutton and Lute Olson.
"Coach Pennell's resume is extensive,' said Teague. "I watched him coach for several years at Ole Miss when I worked there. He was the most involved coach in game planning and coaching. I was impressed 15 years ago and he has only grown and experienced more since that time.
"To have four different major conference programs and five years of head coaching experience on any resume is hard to find. But for that person to also have UCA as their alma mater is special.'
Pennell served as an assistant coach for Sutton at Oklahoma State, for Olson at the University of Arizona and for Rob Evans at Ole Miss and Arizona State. He was interim head coach at Arizona in 2008-09 when Olson retired due to health concerns and led the Wildcats to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Pennell was head coach at Grand Canyon University from 2009-2013, a school currently transitioning to NCAA Division I. He put together a 72-44 overall record, including a 23-8 mark in 2012-13, and took the Antelopes to consecutive NCAA Division II national tournaments.
Pennell coached the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA in 2013 and guided the team to the Western Conference finals.
Pennell played for the Bears from 1982-84 and played in 58 games. He still holds the career assist record with 341 in just two seasons. Pennell is also No. 2 in season assists with 220 during the 1983-84 season. His single-season average of 7.6 assists per game in 1983-84 is still the top average in school history.
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Slippers Wool
88 months ago Lunch »
See reviews of Padraige Wool Slippers by experts and enthusiasts at Lunch. Padraige Wool Slippers: Amazing locally made wool slippers for babies, teens, men women.
94 months ago Mahar Dry Goods »
Elf Slippers, Charcoal, 18-24 Months These lovely little elf slippers are specially designed not only for warmth and comfort but for quiet stealth. Caught shaking presents in your parents closet? Busted sneaking downstairs to catch a glimpse of the Big Guy? Never again. On temporary leave from the North Pole, were thrilled to welcome the cobbling talents of Jennifer Fay. Shes reinterpreted the standard elf shoe as these lush wool slippers created from felted repurposed sweaters with cashmere innersoles and non-skid leather soles. They wear beautifully as the felted wool is not only durable but gives for a comfortable fit. This one-of-a-kind charcoal colored (heathered grey) pair has 5 1/4" long midnight blue innersoles which typically fits a child ages 18-24 months. Materials: 100% wool, cashmere innersole, suede sole Availability: one of a kind medium fits ages 4-5, sole 7" long
111 months ago Yessy »
Handspun, handknit felted klogs. Made from handspun mohair and longhair lincoln wool. These slippers are very durable and keep your feet very warm. Custom orders welcome
119 months ago Notonthehighstreet »
122 months ago Piawallen »
Felt The felt collection includes a variety of innovative products made with the finest quality 100% felted wool. Pia Wallén has remained loyal to this material, developed new products and refined techniques since the first felt product was introduced in 1993, the classic Unisex slipper, still a favorite today. Welcome to our new online shop.
123 months ago Notonthehighstreet »
123 months ago acornearth.com »
New European inspired silhouette. Authentic boiled wool uppers of 100% Merino wool for superior warmth and comfort. Fully contoured and molded footbed of Poli-Cork - a unique combination of natural cork and Poliyou®. Poliyou® is the original open cell PU foam that is breathable, wicks moisture, and fights odor and bacteria with natural active carbon and Aegis® anti-microbials. Additional layer of comfort-cushion foam between Poli-Cork footbed and wool sock lining. Original contoured midsole of molded EVA framed with a durable rubber and cork compound for a natural look and maximum comfort. Soft sponge/rubber outsole with asymmetrical toe wrap for function and durability. From our MaineUSA home to people everywhere - providing Comfort on Earth is not just our business . . . it's our pleasure. SOME of our products accompany astronauts into outer space (since 1982).
123 months ago Loopshop »
Keep and Share Fox slippers! Cute
124 months ago Totemdesign »
Fashion's latest obsession is the handbag, and Pia wallen has a brand new one. The composed and warm elegance ot Wallen's unexpected wool and felt products have her firmly juxtaposed between design and fashion. And her handbag is only her latest satchel if success - her rugs, slippers and purses are graceful without being mathematical. The Swedish designer has drawn on her Nordic heritage to develop a variety of felt techniques to make standout designs for fashion, interiors and accessories alike.
126 months ago Garnet Hill »
Boiled wool slippers. Warm, cozy and durable. Love 'em! Ready for a second pair....


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Are any GSers in the Cleveland area going to the local ice show this weekend? Alissa Czisny, along with Silvia Fontana and John Zimmermann, will perform. I'd love to hear a report!
It was also reported a while back that Alissa had given up her hinged boots and would be competing next year in regualr SPTeris. Do you think Alissa has a chance of being a factor in the U.S. ladies mix this year? Or will she have to stand by and watch the new kids on the block swarm the podium?
Is Alissa eligible for a Grand Prix assignment?


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Information On The Internet: Food Science Research Guide
Internet Gateways and General Guides
- Food Science Reseach Guide (hhttp://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/foodscience)
- The World Wide Web Virtual Library--Agriculture (http://cipm.ncsu.edu/agVL/)
Government Agencies
- Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) (http://www.fda.gov/food). Food and Drug Administration.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://www.cdc.gov/)
- Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/)
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (http://www.ams.usda.gov/).
As one of its functions, this service "includes six commodity programs--Cotton, Dairy, Fruit and Vegetable, Livestock and Seed, Poultry, and Tobacco. The programs employ specialists who provide standardization, grading and market news services for those commodities."
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/)
- USDA's Current Research Information System (CRIS) Web site (http://cris.csrees.usda.gov/)
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/)
The FSIS is "the public health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged." The site includes news releases, recall updates, HACCP-related documents, and food safety information for consumers.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (http://www.fda.gov/)
- www.FoodSafety.gov A "gateway to government food safety information."
Cooperative Extension
- NCSU Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Extension Program (http://ncsu.edu/foodscience/extension_program/)
Provides valuable information to anyone involved in the processing of food, entrepreneurs wishing to start a food business, and others who require training and certification in food processing safety.
- NC Cooperative Extension (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/)
Includes a link to the list of NCCES County Extension Centers (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/counties/).
- State Partners (http://www.reeusda.gov/statepartners/usa.html)
A "directory of land-grant universities which are state partners of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service."
Organizations and Food Science Departments
- AgNIC (Agriculture Network Information Center) (http://www.agnic.org/)
See Ask a Question for links to AgNIC Centers of Excellence that support specific subject areas.
- Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) (http://www.farad.org/)
- Institute of Food Technologists home page (http://www.ift.org/).
Includes daily food science and technology-related news headlines and the IFT Knowledge Center Internet Portal, a gateway to FS&T resources.
- International Food Information Council (IFIC) (http://www.ific.org/)
Supported primarily by food, beverage and agricultural industries, the IFIC's mission is "to communicate science-based information on food safety and nutrition to health and nutrition professionals, educators, journalists, government officials and others providing information to consumers."
- North Carolina Agribusiness Council (http://www.ncagribusiness.com)
Food Science Departments
- NCSU Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences (http://ncsu.edu/foodscience/)
- College and University Food Science Programs in the U.S.
Research Grants and Projects
- Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT).
A searchable database of biomedical research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies.
- NSF Funded Research.
Information about research projects that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded since 1989.
- USDA's Current Research Information System (CRIS) Web site.
Is the USDA's "documentation and reporting system for ongoing and recently completed research projects in agriculture, food and nutrition, and forestry."
- Community of Science (COS) (http://www.cos.com/services/)
- COS Funding Opportunities
Contains detailed information for more than 20,500 available research grants worldwide. Updated daily.
- Funded Research
(via Community of Science). Search to see what projects have been funded by the NSF, NIH, USDA and other organizations. (Note: This database is for Community of Science members only. Accessible only via one's personal COS Workbench.)
- COS Funding Opportunities
Other Databases and Trade Catalogs
- FAOSTAT. Food Quality Control. (http://faostat3.fao.org/home/index.html). Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
The FAOSTAT collection of statistical databases provides access to production, trade, and other international agricultural statistics. The Food Quality section allows one to search Codex Alimentarius: Pesticide Residues in Food and Codex Alimentarius: Veterinary Drug Residues in Food.
- National Food Safety Database (http://foodsafety.ifas.ufl.edu/)
"The goal of the National Food Safety Database project is to develop an efficient management system of US food safety databases that are used by the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), consumers, industry, and other public health organizations. The end result of such a management program is a highly informative, efficient and accurate website which will provide one-stop shopping for food safety information."
- Thomas Register of American Manufacturers.
An online version of the printed trade catalog. Complete the free membership form to search for manufacturers of industrial products and services.
(Note: the print version of the Thomas Register is located in the Business Alcove in the D. H. Hill Reference area (call number T12.T6).)
Full Text Resources
- AgZines: a Harvest of FreeAgricultural Journals (http://usain.org/agzines.html)
Produced by the United States Agricultural Information Network (USAIN), a "compilation of agricultural journals that are available free on the web. Formerly known as Tomato Juice, this list collects web sites" that are related to the field of agriculture and related sciences.
- Core Historical Literature of Agriculture (CHLA) (http://chla.library.cornell.edu/)
A "core electronic collection of agricultural texts published between the early nineteenth century and the middle to late twentieth century." Full-text.
- E-Answers (http://e-answers.adec.edu/)
A searchable Web site that provides access to full text documents on a wide range of Extension or Outreach-oriented subjects. The work is by Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station professionals at several U.S. land-grant universities.
To find other Web sites, click on Netscape's Search button and use one of the many available search engines. For searching tips and comparisons of the features of various search engines, see:
- Web Searching, a guide from the Internet Public Library
- Search Engine Features for Searchers from Search Engine Watch
For examples showing how to cite Internet resources, see Citing Electronic Resources from the Internet Public Library.