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Emotional Flashback Management
Flashback Management
Codependency/Fawn Response
Shrinking the Inner Critic
Shrinking the Outer Critic
Abandonment Depression
Emotional Neglect
Relational Healing
Grieving and Complex PTSD
The FourF's: A Trauma Typology
13 Steps Flashbacks Management
FAQs About Complex PTSD
Book Excerpts:
The Tao of Fully Feeling
Recovering Emotional Nature
Recovery and Self-Pity
Forgiveness: Begin With Self
Intentions for Recovery
Human Bill of Rights
Lovingly Resolving Conflict
Therapist Heal Thyself
Buy Now: The Tao Of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame
Buy Now: Complex PTSD: From Surviving To Thriving
Finding a Therapist
Email Pete
Pete Walker, M.A.
2920 Domingo Ave,Suite 204 ABerkeley, CA 94705 - 2400
Pete Walker is a "general practitioner" who has a private practice in Berkeley, California, in the serene Claremont Hotel neighborhood. He has been working as a counselor, lecturer, writer and group leader for thirty-five years, and as a trainer, supervisor and consultant of other therapists for 20 years.
Pete specializes in helping adults who were traumatized in childhood, especially those whose repeated exposure to abuse and/or neglect left them with
the symptoms of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [Cptsd].
Pete's first book, The Tao of Fully Feeling: Harvesting Forgiveness Out of Blame, has been acclaimed by many therapists and clients as a powerful, compassionate and pragmatic tool for guiding recovery. Alice Miller, author of The Drama of the Gifted Child, wrote: "Pete Walker wrote a book about his own recovery from emotional numbness. The author passionately explores as thoroughly as possible the role of emotions in human life. The result is not only a moving, honest recount but also an informative guide for people who want to become more aware of their buried feelings. Walker's well explained concept of 'reparenting' will help them go through this fascinating process in a safe, protected way."
Pete's new book, Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving is the logical extension and evolution of the work presented in his first book. It deeply explores the causes of Cptsd that range from severe neglect to monstrous abuse. Many survivors of traumatizing families grew up in houses that were not homes - in families that were as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous.
Complex PTSD : From Surviving To Thriving is a comprehensive, user-friendly, self-help guide to recovering from the lingering effects of childhood trauma. It is an overview of the tasks of recovering, and an illumination of the silver linings that can come out of effective recovery work. It contains a great many practical tools and techniques for recovering from Cptsd. It is also copiously illustrated with examples of his own and others' journeys of recovering.


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Hey everyone, happy Wednesday! If you follow me on IG, you know I've been head over heels for my UberChic Beauty Lovely Leaves plate. I created this super fun fall look using an image on that plate and I thought now was the perfect time to share it with you.
To start this manicure out I broke out two of my newest Dreamland Lacquers* to create a lovely fall-colored gradient. For the gradient I used Red Jamie and Sassenach, from Dreamland's Outlander Collection.
Part of the reason I thought it would be great to share this with you today is Dreamland Lacquer just restocked these beautiful colors, so now is the time to snatch them up if you haven't yet!
The polish I used to stamp is Kiko Melon, a color I purchased on my Northern European trip a few years ago. This isn't really a stamping polish, but over the gradient, it all sort of blends together perfectly!
In case you want a preview of what is being restocked at Dreamland Lacquer I have collage here and if you want to read my review, check out this post.
And her Halloween trio, wonderful microglitters they are, are also restocked. These are currently the only Halloween nail art I've done to date. I don't know what is wrong with me. Too smitten with fall to care much about Halloween I guess. That and I don't have great Halloween plates.
So I hope this reminder was handy for you. * These were originally sent to me as press samples.

subset: commoncrawl


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Why E-Cigarettes Are Increasing In Popularity Daily
One of the biggest fads to hit the smoking industry ever, has been the e-cigarette, sometimes used as a method to quit smoking and other times as an alternative to regular tobacco. Electronic cigarettes have an incredible advantage over tobacco in that they come in hundreds of different flavors, that a user could mix and customize on their own, plus it is possible to adjust the amount of nicotine that is delivered with the e-cigarette as well. Combine those advantages with the ability to smoke an e-cigarette in many more locations than a regular tobacco cigarette because it doesn't emit large quantities of tobacco smoke. It's quite possible to stand right next to somebody that is smoking and e-cigarette and not know it.
One of the most popular reasons that some people are choosing Electronic cigarettes over tobacco, is as a method to quit smoking altogether. The e-cigarette eliminates several hundred cancer-causing chemicals from the equation by not using tobacco. There still remains the possibility of nicotine addiction, and there is some controversy over the mixture of the juices that are used in E cigarettes. However, it cannot be denied that they are much safer than regular tobacco cigarettes, can be far cheaper than cigarettes, and much more convenient to carry and smoke than regular cigarettes as well.
The one drawback of e-cigarettes is the initial investment. However if you compare the price of the original e-cigarette device, to a carton of cigarettes, you'll see that there really isn't much of a comparison, and after the initial investment, continued use of e-cigarettes is much cheaper. Those that learn how to mix their own juices have found that E cigarettes can be far, far cheaper than anything a tobacco company could produce.
If quitting smoking is your objective, and you've tried other methods, such as the patch, nicotine gum, hypnotism, and cold turkey, all to no avail, you have very little to lose by giving e-cigarettes a try. It's very possible that you could at least cut way back on your cancer risk, reduce your nicotine intake, and save money the same time.


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Ever heard the phrase "life is maintenance?" It's a term that signifies that a big part of "adulting" involves taking responsibility and care of the systems and things that take care of you – your house, your car, and most importantly, your health. It's a reason we focus on exercise, clean eating, and regular checkups, after all.
Similarly, analyzing data and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) can help you keep your organization's revenue cycle in tip top condition. Today's healthcare data analytics solutions track the revenue cycle through the entire payment and collections process, and give you the insight you need to take preventive action.
These three KPIs are important to help you understand your financial performance and improve cash flow:
- Denial rates. Tracking and understanding the source and trends around denials can help prevent them from occurring in the future.
- Percent of patient payments collected up front. Knowing how much your staff is collecting at the time of service gives you insight to make paying easier and more transparent for patients while helping your organization get paid faster.
- Net collections rate. Drilling down into the details behind your net collections rate can help you understand what dollars you may be leaving on the table
We all know life is much more than taking care of business. And getting your revenue cycle in top shape can free you and your team to focus on even more rewarding activities.
Tweet: Life is much more than maintenance. 3 KPIs you should be tracking to keep your revenue cycle in tip-top shape #revenuecycleKPIs >> https://ctt.ec/Mya6n+
For even more KPI insight, read part 1 of this blog post series, focusing on days in A/R, clean claims, and charge lag.
And check out "Turn Insights into Action" to learn how Navicure® Perform™ can help you solve your reimbursement bottlenecks.
Tweet: 3 more #revenuecycleKPIs to track for better revenue cycle performance #denialsrates #upfrontpatientpayments #netcollections >> https://ctt.ec/2UdQk+


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Shot with Nokia Lumia 1020
FOLLOW US: http://www.facebook.com/DrawnAwake
Website: http://www.drawnawake.com
Drawn Awake - You Will Fall
Live @ Tuhdimmat Tahdit 2013
Drawn Awake line-up:
Kai Palo (Vocals/Bass Guitar)
Henri Vuorela (Guitar)
Lassi Tiainen (Guitar)
Ville Aatsinki (Drums)
Melodic metal band from Tampere Finland.
byDrawn Awake
Monday, July 29, 2013
Drawn Awake - You Will Fall @ Heavy Metal Festival Tuhdimmat Tahdit, Nokia, Finland 27/07/2013
1 comment:
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(HALF MOON BAY, Calif.) — A professional flutist who brings her instrument with her when she paddleboards got the surprise of her life when a whale lunged towards her paddleboard off the coast of California.
Viviana Guzman was paddleboarding off the coast of Half Moon Bay, California, last week when the whale jumped out of the water right next to her.
"When I screamed it turned away from me. It surprised me and I surprised it," Guzman told ABC News Wednesday. "It could have totally toppled me but he just gently went away, went under the water."
Guzman, who lives near Half Moon Bay, described the whale as "like an iceberg." She said she often plays her flute while paddleboarding, which she said catches the attention of whales in the water.
"I feel like they're curious about the flutes and they come towards me," she said. "I started my usual playing and all of a sudden one came really, really close to me."
Guzman posted video of the encounter on YouTube, where it has been viewed more than 60,000 times.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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"We must be honest with our students. The truth will motivate students to work harder at their math. You don't have to be an ogre to be straight with your students. Good teachers tell their students when work is not good enough, but couple this verdict with optimism and encouragement and the message that better results are within reach."
I really like that quote. Kids do not come to us on the same level and they don't learn at the same rate. I want to encourage all my students to work hard and improve based on their own scores. I will have a Super Improver board in my room. Watch this video from Chris Biffle at Whole Brain Teaching to learn more.
wholebrainteaching1 on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free
Here is my key for the Super Improvers Board:
Just like Mr. Esquith said, I want to be honest with my students in where they are academically and beahvorially. I also want to give them a framework for improving. This is a wonderful system!
(Quote from There Are No Shortcuts by Rafe Esquith)


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Not Playin Bout His Internet: Dude Goes On A Rant At Best Buy & Smashes His iPad Because The Wi-Fi Wouldn't Work!
Posted By Abdul
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Now that I live in Aldershot, LaSalle Park is one of Nikki and my favourite walks! There are numerous routes to take, but in my opinion the best in this hot weather is the waterfront trail which includes a shaded … Continue reading
Category Archives: Uncategorized
5 Ways to Help Shy, Fearful or Anxious Dogs
Thanks to our friends at Modern Dog magazine, who posted this article on May 21, 2015. It was written by Nicole Wilde, who is an award-winning author of ten books on canine behaviour (see below for more details). A lot … Continue reading
Emergency Preparedness for Pets
What would YOU do if you had to leave your home in a hurry, and were not certain when you would return? That could happen during a gas line rupture, a train derailment and other unforeseen situations. While unlikely, it … Continue reading
Reduce Pulling by your Dog!
Would you like to reduce pulling by your dog? Are you tired of being pulled down the street by your enthusiastic canine, and would love a "good walker"? In our business we are exposed to a LOT of dogs, and … Continue reading
Job Dog Walking – Burlington, ON
Are you looking for a job dog walking, and maybe also as a cat sitter? Lifestyle Pet Care continues to grow and is again looking for qualified people to provide great care for our clients' pets! We provide a range … Continue reading
Reasons Why Senior Dogs Make Great Pets!
There are always many senior dogs available for adoption and yet they are often overlooked for the wrong reasons. The perception is that they are too much work and are "failures" for some reason. Nothing could be further from the … Continue reading
Beware Halloween Hazards to your Dogs and Cats!
This blog is brought to you mostly (with minor editorializing by us!) courtesy of the Ontario SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). I recommend subscribing to their newsletter for regularly published interesting and relevant information. Check out … Continue reading
Cat Enrichment – Fun Activities for Indoor Cats!!
Canadians have grown much closer to their pets in the last 20 years or so, coming to regard and treat them more and more as fellow family members, and we are all for this!! As part of this trend, cats … Continue reading
What Foods are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
What foods are safe for dogs to eat? To be precise, this blog is about what fruits and veggies are safe to eat, and also addresses cats! It's always a good idea to remind ourselves what are safe foods for … Continue reading
Hot Weather and Your Dog
Last year as we were heading into a particularly hot week, I shared the following information with the dog walkers of Lifestyle Pet Care, and I think it is timely to share it with you now. Our hot weather can … Continue reading


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The Wizard of Oz [Video]
The East Rockaway School District presented "The Wizard of Oz" on Feb. 5-6. more
Mary Malloy | 2/12/10 | 1 comment
See the sights and sounds of the Feb. 10 blizzard that hammered Hempstead Turnpike and Nassau County. Produced by Matt Hampton of the Franklin Square/Elmont Herald. more
by Matthew Hampton | 2/10/10
Traffic was thankfully light on Wednesday morning when a water main broke near Ocean Avenue and Merrick Road in Lynbrook. At about 8:30 a.m., Long Island American Water saw a pressure drop in area. They sent a crew to the intersection of Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue and found a leak in a 20-inch main, located under the street. "We investigated the leak and we were able to isolate the main," said William Varley, president of Long Island American Water. "Right now it's isolated and we can operate it like that." Only three people lost service, and they were given temporary service . It took about an hour to repair, "The inclement weather hindered us a bit, but our crews have experience doing this," Varley said. America Water had one large crew there. Varley said that they will come back at a later date and replace that section of the main. He could only speculate why it leaked, "Until a further investigation is done, it would only be speculation." The crews were out there from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. rerouting traffic away from the area. It's a temporary restoration, Varley said, and they will come back to replace the entire section within upcoming weeks. more
Anthony Bottan and Mary Malloy | 2/10/10
Haitian-American Carlo Thertus of Island Park speaks about his brother, Hansy Thomas, who is in Haiti, awaiting the first shipment of goods from The Haiti Relief Fund. more
Mary Malloy | 1/24/10
Elmont residents and community leaders came together at the home of one Haitian resident to drop off donations and plan the next phase of charity. more
Matthew Hampton | 1/16/10
Blaze on Main Street [Video]
The East Rockaway Fire Department was called to a fire in progress at 200 Main Street Wednesday night. The three residents, one of whom called in the fire, were waiting outside of their home, all safe, when firemen arrived. The firefighters did, however, rescue a mother cat and her three kittens from the second floor of the home. The blaze started on the first floor, according to Chief Ed Reicheter, and quickly travelled to the second floor. Video courtesy Mark Kasner more
Mary Malloy | 1/7/10
A winter wonderland of sound [Video]
East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School held its annual Winter Concert on Dec. 17, featuring the orchestra, band, jazz ensemble, and the chorus. more
Mary Malloy | 12/21/09
Blizzard hits Long Island [Video]
The first blizzard of the season dumped more than a foot of snow in our area Saturday night to Sunday morning, with high winds and heavy, drifting snow accumulating over night. more
Mary Malloy | 12/20/09
Villages celebrate the season [Video]
The villages of East Rockaway and Lynbrook celebrated the arrival of the holidays with winter festivals on the same evening. There was plenty of fun, music and entertainment, with sleigh rides and great … more
Mary Malloy | 12/8/09
The Herald was there for North Shore Animal League's 4th Annual DogCatemy Award Celebrity Gala, presented by Purina ONE. more
Mary Malloy | 11/7/09


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The European counterpart to NASA, the ESA has launched its cargo ship, the "Albert Einstein" into outer space. It is a heavy vehicle and will meet up with the International Space Station that is already orbiting planet earth.
Kourou, French Guiana was the site of launch for the ATV-4 Craft which is supposed to venture into outer space. In about a dozen days or so it will dock at the International Space Station. Sometime after take-off its solar panels were turned towards the sun and the necessary energy started being generated for the flight. Weighing over 13 tons, the space vehicle was named in honor of the genius physicist and top scientist of the 20th Century, Albert Einstein, he of the E=MC2 equation and atomic bomb fame.
According to the ESA, it will supply seven tons of materials to the space station. Among the cargo on board can be included dry stuff, hardware stores and propellant fuel. A Russian spacecraft is also linked in with the whole operation and is to take off from Zvezda port. As for the three dozen astronauts on board the space station, they will partake in scientific experimentation, maintenance and directional exploration. Ultimately, these experiments and research findings will go on to benefit all of humanity. The spin-offs from the findings will become part and parcel of every future discovery and invention.
The Russian vehicle upon take off had its navigational antennae inspected to ensure safety from any damage. Aboard the space station meanwhile all sorts of activities were taking place. Even guitar-playing had its place since the astronauts needed some degree of stress relief from the daily wear and tear. Work proceeded as usual. Besides the odds and ends of equipment there was the water and oxygen that was provided as necessities on board the European vehicle.
Space exploration is still in its infancy. The real adventure into space, the final frontier, will occur as the 21st century advances. Being the Century of the Mind, the next 100 years will prove sufficient to explore everything especially ideas that range in the zillions. This will be a profitable path for mankind and will make it the dominant species on earth.
Several space missions have been conducted by the United States and other countries since the moon landing when Neil Armstrong said: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." While nobody has yet been able to land on any other planet, there are hopes for a Mars landing within the next few years.


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And the winners are…
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1st Winner: xxsquigglesxx
2nd: Michelle W
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And the following people will win a giftcard:
Bekka @ Pretty Deadly Reviews, Carol Luciano, Library Lady, Krystal Larson and Jessica @ Book Passion for Life
The remaining prizes will go to The Magic Attic!


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Cristiano Ronaldo will try to outclass Lionel Messi on his return to Old Trafford when the two best players in the world clash in a friendly between Portugal and Argentina Tuesday.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Messi are locked in a battle to prove themselves the top player on the planet and their latest showdown comes on the former home turf of the Portugal icon. Whatever the status of their personal relationship, the duo have deservedly become serial trophy collectors over the last decade, with team and individual prizes hoovered up on a regular basis.
Messi has won the UEFA Champions League three times and Ronaldo twice, while Messi has six league titles in Spain and Ronaldo three with Manchester United and one with Real. Between them they have won the past six coveted Ballon D'Or contests, awarded to the player voted the world's best by managers, players and journalists.
Argentina star Messi has been voted the winner four times in that period and has come second to Ronaldo the other two years, while Ronaldo hopes to add a third gong this year.
Ronaldo has 18 league goals already this season, while Messi has - by his standards - a modest total of seven, although he was voted player of the tournament at this year's FIFA World Cup™.
Ronaldo became the record goalscorer in UEFA EURO qualifying and tournament history with his strike in a 1-0 victory over Armenia at the weekend.
That was his 23rd goal in the competition, surpassing the previous high mark set by Jan Dahl Tomasson of Denmark, and his 57th in 117 caps for Portugal. "I have done what I have to do. I have won major titles, I have beaten other records, and I now have to wait calmly for the votes," he said.
Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford will be his second since he left United for Madrid in 2009. In March 2013, he scored the goal that knocked his old club out of the Champions League in front of still-adoring United fans. But poor ticket sales for this week's friendly suggest United supporters aren't quite so keen to pay tribute to their former idol on this occasion.
Ronaldo is still looking forward to the chance to return to Manchester however and he said: "It's special going back to Old Trafford and I hope the stadium will be with me."
There will also be a return to Manchester for former City and United striker Carlos Tevez. Tevez, now with Juventus, came back into the Argentina squad last week after three years in exile and played in last week's 2-1 friendly win over Croatia at West Ham's Upton Park.


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The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.
Hi guys! :) Nothing really exciting happened for me this week and I was in a bit of a reading slump. I only managed to finish one book this past week :( The Winner's Curse is so boring and I don't know if I should give up on it (I am only 30% of the way in). So to cheer myself up, I went to the public library!
This was my first time being back at the library after 2 years and it was amazing. :) You can check out my haul below.
ALSO, I STARTED A TWITTER ACCOUNT! Does anyone wanna be my friend? :D
Received this from Netgalley and this seems to be getting really mixed reviews on Goodreads, I wanna give it a go and hopefully I would enjoy it! Assassins!
The Book of Ivy: This sounds like an exciting read and there seems to be a hint at romance (!), can't wait to start on this. :)
This Shattered World: Finished the first book in the series last month and This Shattered World seems to have better ratings so I am really hoping to read this asap!
Everything I Never Told You: I was drawn by the mixed-race aspect of this story and also the author's name! This is a really common surname/last name here in Singapore and maybe Hong Kong(?) and I also found it pretty interesting that Celeste Ng herself pronounces it so differently. (how we pronounce it: try removing 'si' from Sing)
Saga #1: I've heard so much about this graphic novel series and I am so excited to finally have it! :)
Burial Rites: I love historical fiction and this just sounded so intriguing! I added this to my cart on Book Depository at 20% off and when I decided to check out the next day, it was on a 47% sale (or thereabouts)! So it was only $8 SGD/$6 USD. YAY!
Show Your Work: I really need to know more about the creative industry/community and this is my first step at preparing myself for the working world.
Seconds: This caught my eye as it looked brand new among all the worn Marvel comics (what a strange reason). I read half the synopsis and assumed that it was a contemporary novel about a chef and decided to borrow it hahah, it actually has fantasy elements in it. Read the first few pages and it is pretty good so far!
Maus I & II: I WAS ECSTATIC WHEN I SAW THESE AT THE LIBRARY. This particular library branch had a tiny 4 shelf comic section so I was not expecting much and I nearly screamed when I came across these. I really enjoy movies and books set in World War 2, this duology is right up my alley!
We Were Liars: I got the ebook 2 weeks ago but I saw this hardback copy at the library so why not?
Shatter Me: I've always wanted to try out this series! This cover is really hideous though, the new ones are a 100000 times better.
Winger: I am always drawn to books set in schools and this sounds so good! I flipped through it and saw some doodles/comic sequences, that's a huge plus! The spine is so gorgeous, I want it on my shelf...
- Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
- Top Ten Tuesday #2 (February 10th)
- Waiting on Wednesday #2 (February 11th)
- Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
- Feature & Follow Friday #2 (February 13th)
- Stacking the Shelves #6 (February 14th)
- The Sunday Post #3 (February 15th)
Do check out my reviews or my blog in general and leave a comment or follow me if you enjoy my content! I am also looking for any constructive feedback regarding the blog, so do let me know if I should improve on anything. Thank you!! P.S. Let me know if you followed me so that I can follow back!
Leave a comment if you have read any of the books and let me know your thoughts on it! :) Also, feel free to leave links to your STS or Sunday Post in your comments.


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|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
Annual, perennial herb, generally from rhizomes
Stem round or flat
Leaves generally mostly basal; sheath margins fused, or overlapping and generally with 2 ear-like extensions at blade junction; blade round, flat, or vestigial, glabrous or margin hairy
Inflorescence: head-like clusters or single flowers, variously arranged; bracts subtending inflorescence 2, generally leaf-like; bracts subtending inflorescence branches 12, reduced; bractlets subtending flowers generally 12, generally translucent
Flower generally bisexual, radial; sepals and petals similar, persistent, green to brown or purplish black; stamens generally 3 or 6, anthers linear, persistent; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers generally 1 or 3, placentas 1 and basal or 3 and axile or parietal, stigmas generally > style
Fruit: capsule, loculicidal
Seeds 3many, often with white appendages on 1 or both ends
Genera in family: 9 genera, 325 species: temp, arctic, tropical mtns. Fls late spring to early fall.
Annual, perennial herb; rhizome (if any) generally with scale-like leaves
Stem generally cylindric or flat
Leaf: blade well developed and cylindric or flat, or reduced to small point; crosswalls often present (pull fresh blade apart lengthwise to see or slide leaf between fingers to feel); appendages often present at blade-sheath junction
Inflorescence generally terminal (appearing lateral when pushed aside by lowest inflorescence bract); bractlets 02
Flowers: stamens generally 3 or 6 (2 in some very small annual taxa); pistil 1, ovary chambers 1 or 3, placentas axile or parietal, stigmas generally 3(2)
Seeds many
Species in genus: 225 species: worldwide, especially n hemisphere
Etymology: (Latin: to join or bind, from use of stems)
Reference: [Ertter 1986 Mem NY Bot Gard 39:190]
Perennial, cespitose, 50140 cm; rhizome much-branchedSee the CNPS Inventory for information about endangerment and rarity.
Stem rigid, hardened, cylindric
Leaves basal, 40120 cm, rigid; tip hard, sharp; sheath appendages firm
Inflorescence appearing lateral, generally ± open; lowest bract cylindric, resembling stem, < to = inflorescence; branches uneven; clusters 24-flowered, each subtended by 1 obvious, clasping bract; bractlets 0
Flower: perianth 24 mm, margins membranous, sepals thin, obtuse, petals ± rounded; anthers 6, >> filaments, reddish brown
Fruit generally ± 2 X perianth, nearly spheric, shiny brown
Seed irregular; appendages small
Chromosomes: 2n=48
Ecology: Moist saline places (salt marshes, alkaline seeps)
Elevation: generally < 300 m.
Bioregional distribution: Central Coast, South Coast, s Channel Islands, Sonoran Desert
Distribution outside California: to Arizona, Baja California, S.America, s Africa
Flowering time: MayJun
Synonyms: var. sphaerocarpus Engelm., spiny rush
Horticultural information: IRR or WET: 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24; also STBL; good barrier plant.


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Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Source: Publisher
Edition: Paperback (480 pages)
Series: The Bone Season #1
It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others' minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.
But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister than even Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city-Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly-as soldiers in their army.
Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.
I had been deeply wanting to read The Bone Season because the premise was just so intriguing! Then one day I got home after school and was lucky enough to find a copy of it in a package from Bloomsbury! I couldn't have been more thrilled!
The Bone Season is about a girl named Paige who lives in this futuristic London, where people have special powers that connect them to the afterlife. Paige specifically is a dreamwalker, which isn't a common form of afterlife communication. The thing is, being clairvoyant is completely illegal, which is kind of horrible, because you can't help it if you are clairvoyant or not. You were just born that way.
Anyways, Paige works in the underground crime scene of London where many other clairvoyants work. She works for this guy named Jaxon who has made her his mollisher, which means she's second in command. She gets paid well and has a place to live, so considering that she's clairvoyant, she has a pretty good life. Then one day, after accidentally killing two men on a train with her powers, she gets chased and ends up getting taken to this place called Oxford, which Paige didn't even know existed because it wasn't even shown on maps anymore.
Oxford has tons of other clairvoyants, though they are all here to work and be trained, and some of them that have not useful powers or people who aren't even clairvoyant, are punished. The people that rule this city are the Rephaim-they came from another world because of this dangerous race called the Emim. The Rephaim are trying to help protect the city in a way. Paige is assigned to Warden. Many people in the city are completely surprised by this, because it's really rare that Warden will undertake a clairvoyant to train. Throughout the novel, Paige finds out more about her world than she used to and she even learns more about her powers as well as Warden.
THIS BOOK WAS SO AMAZING. When I first started reading this book, I got a bit worried that I'd end up being so confused by all the new lingo and slang, though after reading for about 100 pages, I already had caught onto the world of clairvoyance and the different powers and sectors in the city, so my worrying was such a waste. I absolutely loved the world as well. The whole idea of being able to talk to people of the afterlife is just so awesome. I also really liked how the main character wasn't the only one that could do it and have that special power like most books are-I mean, she did have a rare one, but still, tons of people possessed clairvoyant powers which was pretty cool.
I also really loved the relationship between Warden and Paige. I was a bit wary of Warden at first, though after a while he grew on me. He was so nice to Paige, it just took me a while to realize his intentions. Warden was always so sweet to her and I adored their relationship so much.
One of my favorite things about this book was that it was set in a futuristic London. All of the futuristic books that I've read have taken place in America, which after a while can get a bit boring so it was nice to see something a bit out of the box. Plus, I have this obsession with the United Kingdom, so if there's a book set in the United Kingdom, it's definitely going to be at the top of my to-read list. The whole underground crime scene was just so interesting to read about and I really loved the idea.
The ending of this book was such a cliffhanger and I just need to know what happens next!
Notable Quotes:
"I do not know what I can do for this world, but I will not let any harm come to you."
"Knowledge is dangerous. Once you know something, you can't get rid of it. You have to carry it. Always."
"There was no normal. There never had been. 'Normal' and 'natural' were the biggest lies we'd ever created."
"Nothing's worse than a story without an end."


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My Stylefashionista of the day is fun loving, stylish, petite and ever bubbly Nena. The financial service boss lady has a smile that can light up any room.
We enjoyed interviewing her and absolutely love her style because she knows how to dress her cute and petite body.
Thank you for sending in your entry Nena Lovie.
Please enjoy.
- Name: Nena
- Where are you originally from & where do you live currently: From Anambra State, living in Lagos Nigeria for now
- What you do for a living: I am a Financial service sales manager( investment and Insurance)
- How do you relax/hobbies: Reading, Dancing Salsa, hanging out with friends
- What inspires your style: Comfort, playing with colors, thought of looking on point always.
- Who is/are your style icons: Posh spice, Carrie Bradshaw
- What fashion item can't you live without: My high heels (learning to wear the low ones by force, aint getting younger) LOL
- What's your preference, Ladylike or Boyish: Lady like
- Team Pumps or Wedge: Pumps all the way
- Are you obsessed with any fashion item in your closet at the moment and what is it: I love anything fitting to show my small frame but i think obsession is a potent word to describe it.
What's the most expensive or fashion item bargain you've ever owned and were they worth it: Most expensive is my Ferragamo bag, dont care if it was worth it, because my modus operandi is, if i like the bag then i buy it, for i buy myself a special birthday gift yearly regardless of cost.
Bargain: is fun ear-rings, was not worth it as i misplaced it the day i wore it, bad clasp
- Are you a foodie and what's your favourite food: not a foodie but love to snack; cakes, ice cream and chocolate
- How do you stay fit & healthy: i dance salsa, merengue and bachata, though trying to force my instructor to teach me kizomba
- What's the weirdest thing I'll find in your handbag: My very mighty make up bag... Hahaha
- Your favorite holiday location: Florida especially the beach and salsa clubs
Thanks for always reading lovies.
Have a Fabulous and Chic Monday


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Hello trader,
Please find here below this week's wave analysis on the EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/JPY daily, weekly and monthly charts. More education, analytics, articles, and webinars can be found daily on Admiral Markets. https://admiralmarkets.com/analytics/
The EUR/USD made a strong bullish push last week which could indicate the end of the wave 4 (light purple) if price manages to stay above the 1.1725-1.1750 support zone. A break below this support could indicate a bearish continuation towards 1.1470-1.15 whereas a bullish bounce could see price test the resistance (red).
Daily chart:
The EUR/USD correction could have completed the wave 4 (light purple) and started the wave 5 (light purple) within a larger wave A (red).
Weekly chart:
The EUR/USD bullish momentum is most likely building a wave A (red), which is part of a larger ABC (red).
Monthly chart:
The GBP/USD is trying to break below the long-term support (blue) or resistance (red) trend line but the larger sideways range is still a factor. The potential bearish breakout could indicate a continuation of the bearish wave 5 (green).
Daily chart:
The GBP/USD needs to break below support (blue/green) before a larger downside becomes more likely. A break above the resistance trend line (orange) and bottom of wave 1 (blue) invalidates the wave 4 pattern (blue).
Weekly chart:
The GBP/USD is testing a larger support trend line (blue). A bearish breakout could indicate the continuation of the wave C (purple).
Monthly chart:
The USD/JPY seems to have completed a wave A or wave 1 (light purple) and a bearish retracement (wave 2/B) has taken price down to the 38.2% Fib level which could cause a bounce.
Daily chart:
The USD/JPY is in a larger triangle chart pattern with support (blue) and resistance (brown/red) nearby. The wave B (red) seems to be completed at the most recent bottom.
Weekly chart:
The USD/JPY is looking for a breakout of the triangle pattern.
Monthly chart:
Follow @ChrisSvorcik on twitter for latest market updates.
Connect with Chris Svorcik on Facebook for latest market updates.


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We're all still trying to digest what Chief Justice John Roberts just did in providing the crucial fifth vote to uphold Obamacare. I'm pretty sure he's trying to digest it too.
I do not fault him for bending over backwards to try to find a legitimate reason to uphold Obamacare. Deference to the people's representatives (even if the people don't currently like our representatives much!) is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. But if we are to be a nation ruled by laws, not men, words have to have plain meanings. Communication must be possible.
Pres. Obama promised that this mandate was not a tax. In the law, it is described specifically as a mandate, a requirement. The money you have to pay if you decline to buy government-mandated insurance coverage is laid out in the legislation as a "penalty" for failing to do something the government is requiring you to do.
Robert's decision to redefine the mandate as a tax also raises new questions, as Ilya Somin points out on Volokh.com: if this is a tax what kind of tax is it? If it's a direct tax on the states, it must be apportioned proportionate to the population of the states. "If it is not an income tax, excise tax, tariff, or impost, it's not a tax authorized by the Constitution—even if it also isn't a direct tax


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These are my predictions for the 26 countries from North America, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa....Only 12 of these countries entered films last year (Canada, nine Latin countries and two African ones), mostly because eight of the nine sub-Saharan African countries have submitted a film just one time in history.
Most likely to enter- CANADA, which has made the shortlist seven out of the past ten years (one win, four nominations and two shortlist spots) and entered a film every year without fail since 1979. That's better than any of other countries on this list (Argentina is #2)
Least likely to enter- Puerto Rico was disinvited from the competition in 2010 (though they picked a film in protest in 2011) but I'd say the least likely contender this year is CAMEROON, which last entered in 1980.
Most likely to get an Oscar Nomination- It's always silly to count out CANADA. They're most likely this year too.
12. COTE D'IVOIRE- "Burn It Up Djassa!" Cote d'Ivoire entered the Oscar contest once in 1976 and they won! But "Black and White in Color" was not really an Ivorian, or even an African film….the cast, crew and director were all French. It's unlikely the Cote d'Ivoire will enter the race after 37 years away, but they do have a contender in "Burn It Up Djassa", a low-budget drama about street life in an Abidjan slum. Racking up festival bookings in Berlin, Carthage and Toronto, it's one of the first films ever from Cote d'Ivoire to play internationally.
13. CUBA- "Si vas a comer, espera por Virgilo" Cuba has submitted a film roughly every other year since 1987. Though they've skipped two of the past three years, they were a shock nominee for the Spanish Goyas for subversive zombie comedy "Juan of the Dead" (Juan de los muertos), even more so when they eventually won the award, beating the boring, sentimental favorite "Clandestine Childhood". It was the first time Cuba won since 1999. If los Cubanos submit a film this year, I predict it will be either "If you're going to eat, then wait for Virgilio", a talky drama set in the 1970s about two friends with different views on life, or "A Movie About Ana", a topical comedy about an actress who pretends to be a prostitute. "Ana" won the Critics Award for Best Cuban Film of 2012, despite its controversial subject matter. "Ana" looks like a better film, but "Virgilio" looks like the government will prefer it. It's based on a famous stage play, and will be released to coincide with the anniversary of the Cuban Film Institute. In third place: "Verde Verde" is a gay-themed thriller (gay-themed "Strawberry & Chocolate" brought Cuba its only Oscar nomination) that premiered last year but only got a regular cinematic release in 2013….Is it eligible? Probably out: "Molasses", about a family living in a town where the local factory has closed down, has represented Cuba at a number of film festivals, but I've heard the government originally tried to get it pulled from the national film festival; "Esther Somewhere" has an all-star cast but production values look quite old-fashioned.
14. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC- "Color of the Night" (El color de la noche) The Dominican Republic has submitted films by four Dominican directors between 1983 and 2012 (a fifth submission was directed by a Cuban-American) and all four of them have new films this year, making the Dominican race unusually competitive. The front-runner is probably going to be "Color of the Night", whose director Agliberto Menendez is widely credited with making the first wholly Dominican feature film in 1988. "Color of the Night", which took a couple of years to make in part due to financing difficulties, is the biopic of a renowned Afro-Dominican politician of Haitian descent, who overcame adversity to become the mayor of Santo Domingo. The respected director and his desire to make this film as a labor of love will make this the front-runner. Not far behind is another historical drama, "Lieutenant Amado" (aka "The Hell and the Glory") about one of the military officers who carried out the assassination of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1961. In third place is "Ritmo de Fe", some sort of dance drama, à la "Pina", with a Christian slant (sounds weird). "Cristoy Rey", a Romeo & Juliet-style love story set in the slums of Santo Domingo and "Night Circus", a domestic-violence-drama-cum-murder-mystery are both by previously submitted directors, probably won't be released in time, but could be competitive if they are.
15. ECUADOR- "Monkeys and Chickens" (Mono con Gallinas) Ecuador has traditionally been the laggard of South American cinema, but growing investment by the government has meant that production is up to about five features a year and growing (in contrast, there were roughly five Ecuadorian features total made in the 1990s). Ecuador has only entered the Oscar race twice but recent increased visibility may coax them back. If they decide to enter, I predict they'll send either "Porcelain Horse", a gritty adolescent drama about two spoiled wealthy teens who pawn their parent's possessions to get drugs, or "Monkeys and Chickens", a historical drama about a teenage conscript captured as a prisoner-of-war in 1941 during a war with Peru, while his country believes him to have been killed in battle. "Porcelain Horse" has represented Ecuador at numerous film festivals this year (along with another adolescent drama, "No Autumn, No Spring") while "Monkeys" will premiere in September right before the deadline. They could also opt for "La llamada", a comedy-drama about a mother having one hell of a bad day, or "Quito 2023", Ecuador's first sci-fi thriller. It's 50-50 that they send a film….I'm predicting "Monkeys".
16. ETHIOPIA- "Medal of Honor" Ethiopia sent a single film in 2010. Their most likely submission this year is "Medal of Honor" (aka "Nishan"), a thriller revolving about a woman, her family and a priceless antique pistol. Director Yidnekachew Shumete was the recipient of a grant during the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and the film has played at FESPACO (Ouagadougou) and Seattle- that's pretty good exposure for an Ethiopian film.
17. GUATEMALA- "Dust" (Polvo)- Guatemala hasn't sent a film since their 1994 debut ("The Silence of Neto") but I'm predicting they enter the race this year with "Polvo" (Dust), a drama about the aftermath of the Guatemalan civil war. The film played at Locarno (a major achievement in itself for Guatemalan cinema) and concerns a troubled adolescent who has grown up with his mother. The mother and son were the sole survivors of a brutal village massacre by the Guatemalan military in the 1980s, in which his father died. It's said to be a difficult film to watch but with the former Guatemalan military ruler in court for genocide, the film would be a topical and important submission. Film production is up in Guatemala but it's difficult to see anything else coaxing Guatemala back to the Oscars.
18. KENYA- "Something Necessary" Kenya entered the race for the first time last year with "Nairobi Half Life", and though it wasn't nominated it has developed a devoted core of fans and admirers...It may even have come close to the Final Nine. "Half Life" was co-produced by German director Tom Tykwer ("Run, Lola, Run") and he has stayed involved in Kenya. Tykwer's production company is working with "Nairobi" director Tosh Gitonga on his second feature for a 2014 release, and they also co-produced this year's Swahili-language "Something Necessary", about a woman and her family who become the victims of the post-election ethnic violence that devastated the country in 2007. That's pretty sensitive subject matter in Kenyan society, but it's clearly their most likely submission if they decide to become a regular participant in the Oscar race.
19. MEXICO- "The Golden Cage" (La jaula de Oro)- Full disclosure. I'm writing the Mexican entry several months after making my predictions for the rest of the countries on this list. Mexico has announced a 15-film shortlist and will announce their Oscar nominee in three days.
21. PERU- "Chicama" Peru has close to a dozen eligible releases this year, including the new all-time Peruvian box-office champ- "Asu Mare". "Asu Mare" is a broad comedy reuniting the cast of a popular sitcom, so it won't be a contender for the Peruvian Oscar nominee. The favorite is "Chicama", which dominated the inaugural Peruvian Film awards (winning Best Peruvian Film from both the audience and the Ministry of Culture) at the 2012 Lima International Film Festival, before being released in cinemas this year. It's the story of a young teacher who decides to accept an assignment to a remote school high in the mountains, far from Lima. "Chicama" should easily fend off the main challenger, namely "Casadentro", about an 80-year old woman whose quiet household is disrupted by the sudden arrival of her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. "Casadentro" is directed by the daughter of one of Peru's most famous directors, Francisco Lombardi. Unlikely but possible: "Ana de Los Angeles", the biography of a Peruvian sainted nun, and "Lima 13", an inter-generational dramedy by a previously submitted director about a teen and two elderly people at New Year's. I think horror-tinged "The Cleaner" (which has won some awards for its story of a mysterious plague) and "General Cemetery" will be frozen out of the running.
24. TANZANIA- "Mdundiko" Tanzania submitted a film once in 2001 and is unlikely to send a film this year. The most likely nominee is "Mdundiko", a Swahili-language feature about the traditional folk art of ngoma drumming. I may change my mind after hearing the winner of the African Film Development Foundation Awards on August 31.
25. URUGUAY- "Mr. Kaplan" Uruguay has a few films to choose from this year and, as usual, most of them are droll comedies. The clear favorite for the Uruguayan submission is "Tanta Agua" (So Much Water), a coming-of-age dramedy about a lower-middle-class family which competed in the main competition in Berlin. However, in 2009, Uruguay ignored a Berlin favorite ("Gigante") for an unheralded, quirky comedy by director Alvaro Brechner. I predict the same thing will happen this year and that the Uruguayans will go with Brechner's latest comedy, "Mr. Kaplan", about a 70-year old Uruguayan Jew who decides to capture a local restauranteur he is convinced is secretly a Nazi. If it premieres after September 30, then "Tanta Agua" will likely get the nod. Unlikely but possible: two other dramedies, "Solo" (Best First Film in Miami 2013), about an army musician forced to make an agonizing decision, and "Darwin's Corner", a male-bonding road movie (Uruguay chose one of these in 2002-2003).
ANGOLA could conceivably enter the Oscar race for the first time with "All is Well", a drama about two sisters who emigrate to Lisbon, Portugal after fleeing war at home. It was one of two Angolan films competing in FESPACO in Burkina Faso, and also competed in Carthage. Strangely enough, one of the world's poorest and least developed countries- GUINEA-BISSAU- has two films on the international film festival circuit this year and the Mandingo-language "Battle of Tabato", a dark, whimsical drama about a émigré who returns from Europe for his daughter's wedding, would be a great addition to the race on the off chance it could get a qualifying run in Guinea-Bissau (which I believe has no cinemas). NIGERIA has one of the world's largest film industries but most films are trashy straight-to-video releases in English , but they have a French-language feature this year called "One Man Show" about a Cameroonian living in Paris. UGANDA has "Kampala Story", about a 14-year old village girl forced to travel to the big city to discover what happened to her father after he stops sending remittance money. Tiny MAURITIUS, made their second feature film ever with "Children of Tourmaron", based on a famous novel that focuses on four youngsters including a teenage prostitute, living on the island. Finally, war-torn MALI made "Spider Webs", about a political prisoner in the 1970s. It won two prizes at FESPACO but probably was never screened at home.


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Forget $645: $92 is new reality for Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock these days.
After the tech giant's shares split 7-for-1 last Monday, Apple's shares are looking decidedly cheaper to the untrained eye. However, the Apple bull case remains significant and, more importantly, completely unchanged despite the dollar-and-cents differences that are mostly (but not entirely) cosmetic in nature.
So as investors continue to wrap their heads around Apple stock now trading in the double digits, let's look at several key catalysts that I believe will have Apple stock back into the triple digits sooner than perhaps many investors realize.
1. A blowout quarter is in the works
With much of the post-WWDC investing narrative focusing on Apple's second-half product launch cycle, many investors appear to overlooking the here and now for Apple.
That will probably turn out to be a major oversight, as several key indicators have recently suggested that Apple's in the midst of another record-setting quarter. iPhone shipments are trending toward 39 million units shipped in Apple's current fiscal third quarter, well ahead of the current FY Q3 record of 31 million iPhones Apple set last year and starkly higher than the 35 million average estimate that Wall Street's calling for this quarter.
The iPhone shipments figure is an especially important driver of Apple's financial performance, as it's not only Apple's most profitable product but also its largest single source of revenue. So an unexpected boost to iPhone shipments implies a home-run earnings report once again on the way for Apple stock.
2. iPhone 6: An undeniable opportunity
The iPhone 6 has three extremely important variables working it its favor, which will probably make it Apple's most successful iPhone ever.
For starters, Apple's aging installed base of iPhones, as well as the company's move to slowly withdraw support for legacy devices such as the iPhone 4, mean a lot of consumers will probably be ready to pull the trigger on a newer iPhone with the advent of the iPhone 6. This fact, combined with Apple's likely screen-size increases and segmentation into 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models, also plays into the broader theme of larger screen sizes we've seen play out across the entire global smartphone market in recent years. And lastly, Apple's gone a long way in extending its global distribution footprint, which will position Apple's new handset to be accessed by an entirely new set of consumers when it unveils the iPhone 6. No matter how you slice it, the iPhone 6 presents a potentially historic opportunity for Apple investors.
More catalysts ahead for Apple
These two factors are arguably the most significant short-term catalysts that could propel Apple stock above $100 in the months ahead, but they're by no means the only ones working in Apple's favor. Apple's long-awaited iWatch, as well as any number of the myriad of new product offerings Apple could have in the works, will help create entirely new profit centers for the tech giant. Moreover, each new additional new product offering will further solidify the Apple ecosystem's already massive network effects. Apple's recently unveiled Health app, and upcoming proliferation of wearable-related software, should serve as a healthy reminder of this key fact.
The analyst community appears to be slowly warming to the idea that Apple has plenty of drivers that could push its stock price beyond $100 in short order. Last week, RBC Capital Markets increased its price target for Apple stock to $100, citing many of the same factors I've mentioned here, and I think it's safe to expect more of this behavior from the analyst community in the months to come. So while shares have been on a tear over the past few months, I'm still a firm believer that Apple's recent rally has plenty of room to run in the months to come.
Andrew Tonner owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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A lot of High School Students are apathetic about many prominent global issues happening today.
Because of school and friends and drama, many believe they are too busy to deal with the world's problems as well.
However, without the youth, it's hard to make a change in this world and we need our fellow students to rally behind us and begin getting involved in what's happening.
I have already started this campaign at my own school and formed a group of eager…Continue
Added by Jessica Choe on November 27, 2015 at 1:00pm — No Comments
Muslims in Europe consistently appear to be targets of discrimination and racism throughout Western Civilization. The horrific attacks on Paris this past Friday certainly did not improve their situation.
The lasting effects of these attacks will lead to an even further oppression of the Muslim community, which is already made evident by the new Polish foreign minister's recent suggestion to make Syrian refugees fight ISIL themselves. The United States seems to be split…Continue
Added by Savannah Wallace on November 18, 2015 at 11:21pm — No Comments
Hey guys,
Following is a part promoting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Drops of water make an ocean and that's what drove us to the launch of our campaign, 'Clean Up Sharjah Campaign'. The campaign started last year under the leadership of Abhinav Singla and saw about 400 people participate. The campaign's aim is to encourage our fellow beings not to litter in their surroundings not only due to ecological reasons but also reasons like beautifying our neighborhood. Last…Continue
Added by Harshith Belagur on November 17, 2015 at 6:36am — No Comments


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Hello, Emi is here.
I was invited to stay at the quilt artist's, Lynette Anderson, from June 30th to July 7th. We gave our students workshops for two days last January when Lynette was in Japan.
The Sunshine Coast is where she lives. When I arrived at Brisbane International Airport, Lynette and her husband, Vince, were there to pick me up and then we headed home.
On the way home there were some big mountains in my line of vision because nothing to block my view.
Including the very popular site, "Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock", the mountains are monoliths, according to Vince, which symbolizes the mountains in Australia.
It is winter now in the southern hemisphere, but the weather in Brisbane felt like an early summer in Japan with extremely strong sunshine.
There is a man made river running through her town and this was the view from her terrace in the evening .
I found it very beautiful that the moon reflected on the water.
First on my list was to visit Lynette's quilt store called "little quilt shop". It's only a 10 minute drive from her home.
She designs fabric for RJR as well as buttons and kits, which are always popular.
I like her displays, each of which tells you the concept of her fabric collections.


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|Pub. Date:
|Nov. 29, 2016
|400 pages
The LOST series is one of the best romantic suspense series that I have ever read... seriously, every book has been stellar. Cynthia Eden does both romance and suspense extremely well and she has become an auto-buy author for me. While you may be able to read these as standalones, I would not recommend it. You want the background on each LOST team member, so I advise reading from the beginning.
The heroine and damsel in distress of this installment is Bailey Jones, who is the survivor of a serial killer known as the Death Angel. Only six months have passed since her escape, and she has understandably closed herself off from almost everyone and everything. However her drive to find another survivor sees her seeking assistance from LOST. Bailey was a sympathetic and engaging heroine. My heart went out to her with everything she went through, but I also admired the strength and determination that we saw in this story. She really wanted to take her life back and she wasn't going to let anything or anyone stand in her way, especially all the people that wanted to coddle her and treat her as a victim.
The LOST agent taking lead on this assignment is Asher Young, who I was super curious about in the last book or two. Asher and his twin sister, Ana, are both working for LOST, and they have a tortured past of their own. Asher is a former Navy SEAL, a trained killer with a wounded soul. He is undeniably attracted to Bailey from the first meeting, but he is afraid to engage in romantic entanglements for reasons that are best discovered by the reader. I loved Asher... he has a strong protective instinct and is seriously bad ass. I hated that what he went through was having such a lasting effect on his love life, but I was stoked that he was willing to give things a shot with Bailey.
Once LOST starts working the case into finding the missing survivor, the action heats up very quickly and Bailey is again in a killer's crosshairs. The suspense and thriller aspects of this story were front and center for me... I was focused on them more than I was the romance. Not that the romance wasn't good - it was - but I was just really trying to figure out "who dunnit"! As I was reading, I was making notes in my reading journal re: who I thought the culprit was... and of course I was wrong wrong wrong (kinda). I don't think I have ever completely guessed the correct killers in this series... Cynthia Eden's twisty goodness keeps me turning the page as fast as my eyes can move. I love the fast pace of the story because my adrenaline gets going and I can knock out the entire 400 pages in just a few hours. I am hoping to meet this author at a signing soon because I want a keepsake copy of this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Avon.
About the Author
Award-winning author CYNTHIA EDEN writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Cynthia is also a two-time finalist for the RITA® award (she was a finalist both in the romantic suspense category and in the paranormal romance category). Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over thirty novels and novellas. Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies include hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.


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Had my second request- this time from Maddy Carvosso who wants some diabetic-friendly pudding recipes for her husband.
Now before I start obviously with any medical condition each person is different and though these recipes should be safe for those suffering from Type 1 diabetes (those that inject insulin) they may need to be modified for those with type 2. Whatever form of diabetes you suffer from do make sure you are happy that the ingredients are suitable for your diet. If you are unsure then please check first with your doctor or nutritionalist.
A good substitute to add sweetness to puddings and cakes is unsweetened apple sauce, which is used in serveral of the recipes below. A lot of recipes that I discuss below also use the sugar substituate called SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener.
It is suitable for diabetics since it uses the sweetening ingredient sucralose which is not recognised by the body or broken down for energy, so it has no effect on insulin or blood glucose levels. It works best in recipes where it is used to sweeten the recipe (rather than to caramalise such as with a creme brule).
For recipes that need light cream I like using Elmlea double or single light which are really good substitutes- the light varieties contain 50% less fat than normal single or double cream:
I've done a selection of recipes and I hope they will give you some inspiration for different puddings and sweet treats. These recipes will also be good for anyone dieting.
Lime cheesecake
15 wheatmeal biscuits
50g melted reduced-fat spread
200g diet peach yoghurt
250g reduced-fat smooth ricotta cheese
2 tsps finely grated lime rind
1 egg
2 tbsp caster sugar
0.25 cup wholemeal plain flour
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (160 degrees C if fan assisted oven). Grease a 22cm loose-base tart dish. Put biscuits into a food processor and blitz until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. Add the spread and process until combined. Press mixture over base of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking tray and put in fridge.
Put the yoghurt, ricotta, lime rind, egg, sugar and flour into a bowl and with a hand held mixture blend on a low speed until smooth. Pour mixture over biscuit base. Bake for 30 minutes or until just set and edges are light golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until cold.
Serves 12
Cherry Clafoutis
1.25 kg frozen morello cherries
4 heaped tbsps SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener
5 eggs
120g plain flour
600ml light single cream
200ml skimmed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Light margarine, for greasing
Defrost the cherries then drain and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C.
Beat the SPLENDA® and eggs in a bowl until pale. Add the flour, single cream, milk and vanilla extract and mix everything together well. Grease a large baking dish. Place the cherries on the base of the dish and pour the batter mixture over the cherries. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes. Serve either hot from the oven or allow to slightly cool. Serve with low-fat cream.
If you don't like cherries you can crush 250g raspberries and use them instead.
Serves 8
Diabetic Orange Cake
A lovely cake that gets its sweetness purely from an orange
4oz butter
3 whole eggs
1 whole orange (skin still on but cut into quarters and de-seeded)
8oz self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp ground cinnamon
0.5tsp ground cloves
0.5tsp ground nutmeg
500g packet of mixed dried fruit
Preheat oven to degrees C (160 degrees C in a fan-assisted oven). Grease and line an 8 inch cake tin and pour in the mixture. Put the butter eggs and orange in a food processor and blitz to combine. In a large bowl combine all the other ingredients except the dried fruit. Add the orange mixture and combine. Then add the mixed dried fruit. The final mixture should drop freely from a spoon- if it is a bit thick add a little skimmed milk to loosen the mixture.
Bake for about 50-60 minutes. Check with a squewer that it comes out clean so that the centre is cooked – if not bake for a little longer.
Once cooked allow to cool for 5 minutes in the tin then remove to cool on a rack and store in an airtight container for up to two days.
Panna Cotta
2 leaves of gelatine
800ml reduced fat single cream
1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped out
3 heaped tbsp Splenda® Granulated Sweetener
Soak the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water. Meanwhile put the cream and the vanilla seeds in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to very low and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove the soaked gelatine leaves from the bowl and gently squeeze out any excess water. Put the gelatine leaves and Splenda® into the cooled cream. Leave to cool completely, stirring from time to time.
Pour the mixture evenly into 6 glasses and put in fridge for 12 hours. Serve immediately from the fridge.
Diabetic Apple Bread Pudding
2 medium apples
2 tbsps brown sugar
1 tbsp water
625ml skimmed milk
1 vanilla bean halved lengthways
4 thick slices fruit bread
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C (140 degrees C for fan-assisted oven). Grease deep 1.5 litre.
2 medium apples
2 tbsps brown sugar
1 tbsp water
625ml skimmed milk
1 vanilla bean halved lengthways
4 thick slices fruit bread
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 160 degrees C (140 degrees C for fan-assisted oven). Grease deep 1.5 litre.
Peel, core and quarter apples, cutting each quarter into 3mm slices. Put sugar and water in a frying pan over a low heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add the apples and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Put the milk and vanilla bean in medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, put a lid on the pan and stand for 5 minutes then remove the vanilla bean which is no longer needed.
Meanwhile cut bread into quarters and then arrange alternate layers of the bread and apples in the dish finishing with a layer of bread. Whisk the eggs, cinnamon and nutmeg in medium bowl and then gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Pour the egg mixture carefully over bread and apple.
Place the dish into a deep roasting tray then add boiling water into baking tray so that it comes halfway up side of pudding dish. This is called a bain-marie (water bath) and creates steam in the oven to keep your pudding moist.
Bake uncovered about 1 hour or until set. Serve with low fat ice cream/cream.
Catalan Cream
3 vanilla pods
7 egg yolks
5 heaped tbsps SPLENDA® Granulated
250ml skimmed milk
750ml light single cream (5% fat) (Elmlea does a good light cream)
Preheat the oven to 140 degrees C. Cut the vanilla pods in 2 lengthways remove the seeds with the point of a knife and place them in a bowl with the egg yolks. Add the SPLENDA® and beat until pale. Pour in the milk and cream and whip well together.
Fill four individuals ramekins with the mixture. Put the dishes in a large roasting tray and pour in enough hot water to come halfway up their sides (bain-marie) and bake in the oven for 35 minutes. When cooked the cream should be firm but still slightly wobbly in the middle. Leave to chill in the fridge for two hours. Serve immediately on removing from the fridge.
If you would prefer a lemon version substitute the vanilla pods with lemon zest.
Bread pudding
3 slices day-old white bread, cubed
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups skimmed milk
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
2 tbsps SPLENDA® Granulated
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Spray a 1.5 litre baking dish with spray oil. Put the bread cubes and raisins in the prepared dish. Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl then pour over the bread and raisins stir everything together. Put the dish in a deep baking tray and fill the tray with water until it is half way up the side of the dish. Bake 45 - 55 minutes, or until a squewer inserted in the pudding comes out clean. Remove the pudding from the oven and serve warm or chilled. Can serve with the following custard.
Easy custard
2 tbsps custard powder
1 pt skimmed milk
2 tbsps SPLENDA® Granulated
Mix the custard powder with 2 tbsp milk to a smooth paste. Put the remaining milk in a heavy based saucepan and bring almost to the boil. Gradually add milk to custard powder paste. When thoroughly combined, return to the saucepan. Place over a medium heat and stir continuously until mixture comes to the boil. Reduce heat and continue stirring for a further two minutes. Remove from heat and add SPLENDA® Granulated, stirring until dissolved. Serve hot or cold.
Floating islands
An impressive end of dinner dessert that will impress even non-diabetics! A little patience is all that is required.
8 eggs, separated
Pinch of salt
2 heaped tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1.5 litres skimmed milk
2 vanilla pods, seeds only
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Put the whites in a bowl and add the salt then whisk with a hand blender until they form stiff peaks. Continue whisking and add 1 tbps of SPLENDA®.
Meanwhile, bring the milk and the vanilla seeds to the boil in a large saucepan. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer. Scoop up a large tbsp of the egg white (one sixth of the mixture), smooth with the back of a knife and put delicately onto the surface of the milk. After 1 minute, gently turn over the egg white mixture and poach for another minute. Gently remove the poached meringue and rest on kitchen paper. Repeat the process until all six portions of egg white have been cooked.
Strain the milk through a sieve. Beat the egg yolks with the remaining 1 tablespoon of SPLENDA® and then pour the milk into the mixture and cook over a very low heat- if the heat is two high the custard will overcook. Stir constantly for around 20 minutes until the custard 'coats' the back of a spoon. Put the custard into 6 dessert bowls and place a poached meringue on the surface of each custard. Serve chilled
Lemon pudding cake
A light and refreshing dish that separated when cooked to produce a lovely lemon sauce underneath the pudding.
3 Large eggs, separated
3/4 Cup SPLENDA® Granulated
2 tbsp butter or margarine, at room temperature
1 tbsp grated lemon peel
1 Cup lowfat buttermilk (if you can't get this use 1 cup of skimmed milk, 1tbsp lowfat natural yoghurt and 0.5 tsp lemon juice)
1/3 Cup lemon juice (fresh if possible)
1/4 Cup plain flour
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Coat a souffle dish/straight-sided baking dish with spray oil.
In a large bowl beat the egg whites with an electric hand-mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup of the SPLENDA® and continue to beat until it forms stiff white peaks.
In another bowl, put butter, remaining SPLENDA®, lemon peel and egg yolks. Beat on high until mix is thick and lemon-colored. Stir in buttermilk, lemon juice and flour. Add about 1/4 of the egg whites to batter and stir gently to combine without knocking out all the air. Then fold in remaining whites. Pour batter into prepared dish and place this in a deep baking tray. Place the whole thing into the middle shelf of the oven and then pull out shelf slightly and pour boiling water into tray half way up the side of the dish. Bake for about an hour- when done the top of pudding should be rich brown and the centre firm when lightly pressed. Serve pudding hot or cool. Make sure you spoon the portions up from the bottom of the baking dish to get the lemon sauce that has formed beneath the pudding.
Sugar Free Strawberry Jam
You can buy sugar free jam but the following is quite an easy recipe for making your own:
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup cold water
Pack of sugar free jelly mix such as Hartleys. It depends which you are using to how much you need- adjust to your taste since the more or less you add will change the consistency.
In a large saucepan, crush the strawberries and combine with the water and jelly mix. Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Pour into sterilized containers or jars. Allow to cool and cover. Store in fridge for 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Diabetic Cupcakes
Very easy and loved by children as well as grown ups!
3 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 small can crushed pineapple in fruit juice (not syrup) undrained
1.5 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
2 large bananas sliced
1 tsp baking soda
4 tsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1.5 cups light cooking oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 small can crushed pineapple in fruit juice (not syrup) undrained
1.5 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
2 large bananas sliced
1 tsp baking soda
4 tsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1.5 cups light cooking oil
Put all ingredients in bowl. Blend everything together gently- do not overbeat. Line a cupcake baking tray with paper cases and divide out the mixture. Bake in a preheated 160 degrees C oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a squewer comes out a cake clean.
Diabetic fruit cookies
Quick and easy and great with a cuppa!
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup water
1 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup apples, peeled & chopped
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup quick oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup water
1 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup apples, peeled & chopped
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup quick oats
1 tsp group cinammon
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
Put the water, dates, apple and raisins in a pan and bring to the boil then simmer for three minutes. Remove from the heat and add the margarine and stir. Cool mixture and then add all the other ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight if you have time. Drop spoonful of the mixture onto lined baking sheets 2 inches apart.
Bake in preheated 180 degrees C oven for about 24 minutes. Store in the fridge in air tight container.
Diabetic Mini Fruitcakes
0.5 cup Diced orange peel
0.5 cup Diced lemon peel
0.5 cup Diced dates
0.5 cup Golden raisins
0.25 cup Brandy or orange juice
2 tsp Baking powder
0.5 tsp Baking soda
1.5 cups All-purpose flour
0.5 tsp Ground allspice
0.3 cup Vegetable oil
2 tbsp Brown sugar
2 Eggs
0.5 cup Chopped pecans
12 Pinneapple chunks
0.5 cup Diced lemon peel
0.5 cup Diced dates
0.5 cup Golden raisins
0.25 cup Brandy or orange juice
2 tsp Baking powder
0.5 tsp Baking soda
1.5 cups All-purpose flour
0.5 tsp Ground allspice
0.3 cup Vegetable oil
2 tbsp Brown sugar
2 Eggs
0.5 cup Chopped pecans
12 Pinneapple chunks
This is so easy- just combine the first 5 ingredients in mixing bowl then add everything else except the pineapple. Mix everthing together and then divide the mix into paper lined cupcake tray filling each 2/3 full. Top each with a pineapple chunk. Bakefor 30-35 minutes at 160 degrees C (until a squewer comes out clean). Allow to cool and store in airtight container.
Raspberry Frozen Yoghurt
A refreshing low fat and low sugar treat to be used whenever you would normally use ice-cream
2 cups frozen raspberries
0.5 cup non-fat lemon yogurt
1 tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1 tsp Fresh lemon juice
0.5 cup non-fat lemon yogurt
1 tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1 tsp Fresh lemon juice
In a food processor blend frozen raspberries, yogurt, SPLENDA® and juice until smooth. For a quick dessert serve immediately. Or place in an 8x4-inch rectangular freezer container and freeze for 4 hours or until frozen.
Whipped Topping
This can be used on cakes and puddings for an extra treat. It should be prepared as close to serving time as possible since it loses volume after a period of time.
0.5 cup dry milk
0.3 cup Cold water
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Sugar (or substitute for SPLENDA® Granulated if you don't want any sugar)
0.25 cup SPLENDA® Granulated
0.5 tsp Vanilla
0.3 cup Cold water
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Sugar (or substitute for SPLENDA® Granulated if you don't want any sugar)
0.25 cup SPLENDA® Granulated
0.5 tsp Vanilla
Combine dry milk and water and put in fridge for 30 minutes then beat at high speed for 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and beat again at high speed for 4 minutes. Stir sugar and sugar substitute together and add gradually to the whipped milk while it is being beaten. Add vanilla to whipped topping and refrigerate until used.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Fudge Recipe
A very simple recipe that requires very little cooking.
450g cream cheese, softened
50g unsweetened chocolate
0.5 cup SPLENDA® Granulated
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.5 cup chopped pecans
50g unsweetened chocolate
0.5 cup SPLENDA® Granulated
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.5 cup chopped pecans
Melt the chocolate in the microwave (about 40 seconds) then allow to cool. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, chocolate, sweetener and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans. Pour into an 8-inch square baking pan lined with foil. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut into 16 squares.
Diabetic Vanilla Ice-Cream
Tin light evaporated milk (about 410g)
2 tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1.5 cup whole milk (note whole milk does have sugar content)
1 tbsp vanilla
3 eggs
2 tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated
1.5 cup whole milk (note whole milk does have sugar content)
1 tbsp vanilla
3 eggs
Combine evaporated milk and SPLENDA®. Beat well until sugar is dissolved. Add whole milk and vanilla extract and beat well then add the eggs and beat the mixture vigorously. Either then pour into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions or pour into a freezer container and freeze for 8 hours, removing the ice-cream from time to time during that period to beat it to stop ice crystals forming.
Note this recipe contains raw egg so should not be served to babies or pregnant women.
Servings: 8
Diabetic carrot cake and icing
Ingredients for cake:
225g wholemeal self-raising flour
1.5 tsps baking powder
0.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda
0.25sp salt
0.25 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
150 ml oil
0.5 cup plain low fat yoghurt
2 medium carrots peeled and grated
Juice and rind of 1.5 oranges
60g walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
Ingredients for topping:
300g light cream cheese, at room temperature
Juice and rind of ½ orange
0.5 tsp vanilla essence
Sugar-free sweetener (eg: SPLENDA® Granulated) to taste
Toasted walnuts halves to decorate
Coat two springform 8 inch pans with spray oil and then line with baking paper. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Put flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, apple sauce and cinnamon in a bowl and mix with an electric hand mixer or spoon. Add all the other cake ingredients except the walnuts and mix again until combined and then stir in the walnuts. Divide the mixture between the two pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and cooked through (check squewer comes out clean). Cool them on wire racks.
Meanwhile blend the cream cheese, orange rind and juice and vanilla essence in a bowl. Add sweetener to taste. Use half the mix to sandwich cakes together and the rest on the top. Decorate with walnut halves.
Sponge Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
This is great for a afternoon treat but also can be used as a birthday cake- just add candles!
Ingredients for the sponge cake:
150g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
8 tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated or half a cup of unsweetened apple sauce
2 tbsp dried skimmed milk powder
1 tbsp ground rice
1 egg, beaten
7 tbsp vegetable oil
0.5 cup natural low fat yoghurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Ingredients for the cream cheese filling
300g light or extra light cream cheese
2.5 tbsp SPLENDA® Granulated
0.5 tsp vanilla extract
Low sugar jam (shop bought or from the recipe above)
Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Spray 2 x 7in round cake tins with low fat cooking spray and then line the tins.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Stir in SPLENDA® Granulated, dried milk and ground rice. Add the eggs, oil, yoghurt, vanilla extract and salt. Mix this into the dry ingredients. If you don't have a soft dropping consistency add another 1-2 tbsps yoghurt. Spoon into the prepared tins and level the tops. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. When cold, the cakes are ready to decorate with the cream cheese filling. Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you prefer a chocolate sponge then add 1.5 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder.
For the filling beat together cream cheese, SPLENDA® Granulated and vanilla extract. Spread a layer of low sugar jam over the bottom cake and then use one third to sandwich together the sponge cakes and spread the remaining mixture over the top of the cake.
Serves 8
Strawberry Tart
A lovely summery pudding that looks great
Ingredients for sweet Pastry:
250g plain flour
3 level tbsp Splenda® Granulated
150g low-fat soft butter
1 egg
Ingredients for pastry cream:
4 level tbsp Splenda® Granulated
30g plain flour
100g ground almonds
2 eggs
100g low-fat soft butter
Ingredients for decorations:
300g strawberries
4 tbsp low sugar strawberry jam (shop bought or made as above recipe)
Juice of 1 orange
In a large bowl, sieve the flour, add Splenda® Granulated and the butter. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Make a well in the middle and crack the egg into it. Bring all the mixture into the centre, gently mixing into a dough. Form the dough into a ball and wrap in cling film. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4). When the pastry is ready, roll out on a well-floured board and use it to line a (9-inch) tart tin, with removable bottom sprayed with low fat spray oil. Prick the pastry base with a fork to stop air bubbles forming, line base with greaseproof paper and weigh down with ceramic beans or dried pulses. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Then take out of oven and remove the beans and paper. Return to oven for 5 minutes to dry out the pastry a little.
Meanwhile, begin preparing the cream by mixing together Splenda® Granulated, flour and ground almonds, in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and the butter. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix. Pour the cream into the pastry cream. Put back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Put the jam and orange juice in a pan and gently heat so that it combines. Allow to cool a little. Arrange the strawberries on top of the tart, and brush with the jam and orange juice glaze. Put in the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour before serving
Serves 6
So a range of desserts you can make for the whole family to enjoy and also for entertaining.
Til soon...


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Skin care advice for busy women
Five Minutes to Beautiful Skin? Absolutely!
A Good Routine Will Get You Ready
Preparation is the key to a smooth experience for most things, and this is true for achieving beautiful skin every day. Gathering favored and necessary beauty items is one of the best skin care tips for women who want beautiful skin and have limited time to achieve it. A little box of things like lip balm, Q-tips, cotton pads, and exfoliating cream can cover your nighttime and morning beauty routine, and you can maintain healthy skin even on your most hectic days. You may not be able to do everything you want each day, but good products can help you remember the important aspects of skin care.
Multi-tasking Can Make Things Easier
Your skin will benefit from sunscreen and moisturizer, and using a product that contains both is an ideal way to nourish and protect your skin each day. You can use moisturizer exclusively at night and a daytime foundation that contains sunscreen as an alternative. A quality lip balm can double as moisturizer for elbows and heels, and this can be applied at night to save a step in the morning.
Use a water soluble face wash and gently remove makeup and oil with a soft face cloth. This should be followed up with a toner that contains antioxidants and other skin-repair ingredients. Some face moisturizers have ingredients that make them good for use as eye cream, neck, and chest moisturizer. Use your facial exfoliant on your chest and elbows to achieve a consistent smooth appearance.
Remove Your Makeup With Care
Be sure that your face wash is water soluble, and refrain from harsh or lengthy scrubbing. Excess makeup should be removed with a gentle wipe of toner to avoid excess pulling on your skin. Pulling on the skin weakens the elastin fibers, and this can lead to sagging.
Limit Maintenance To What Is Essential
Your skin may not need every product at your disposal. Only use what is tailored for your skin, and make sure that the items contain nourishing ingredients.
Paula's Choice and other brands have products for quick and complete skin care. A good formula should clean and protect without irritation.
Keep Things Simple
Skin care tips for women that withstand the test of time focus on simplicity. Look for products that address multiple needs, and the essential system by Paula's Choice may be all you need to maintain the healthy and radiant skin you desire.


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Pictured Above: A Star.
I'll make this quick. The Stars fly into RX1 tonight. The Oilers are looking to shake off the feelings of despair that they most undoubtedly felt after watching Khabibulin pull a Horcoff (read: Whiffing on a puck.) to end their season opener on a bit of a downer.
The Powerful and Mighty Oilers will be looking to absolutely hand it to the Marc Crawfordly looking Dallas Stars this evening. This game also marks the return of Charile Huddy to RX1, as he is now an assistant coach with the enemy after being let go by Tambo this summer.
The offensive aspect of the Oilers' home opener wasn't too much to complain about. They showed that they can play physical. They got their noses dirty and generated chances by charging hard to the net and being tenacious on the puck. But I do expect a little bit cleaner play from our squadron this evening on the defensive side of things. Quinn mentioned in the post game comments from Saturday's game that he wasn't terribly thrilled on how his team looked on any of the four goals against. I would have to agree with him. Mostly because he's Pat Fucking Quinn, and also because all four goals against were pretty weak. Except that last one...there was nothing Khabibulin could do on that one. (read: Sarcasm)
Sounds like Nilsson draws into the lineup to replace Moreau who sits tonight with some sort of infection in his foot or something. I dunno. But nothing seems to surprise me anymore when it comes to our Captain and injuries.
The game is being broadcast on PPV tonight. There's an OilersNation.com PPV party with Wanye Gretz and Jason Gregor being held at a swanky new pub "The Pint" at 10125 - 109 Street in E-town. I've been told it's the old Fox and Hounds or something? If I lived within cab ride distance of that place I would be there. But I don't. So I'm just going to continue to pout about it.
Speaking of PPV games... What the fuck is with having the second Oilers game being broadcast as a PPV game? I realize the network/regional tv draw of the Oilers has probably dwindled somewhat since the '06 cup run. But dammit. I don't want to pay for a PPV game so early in the year. I need to see this team in action a few times before I'll commit to dumping 15 bucks on a PPV game. I suppose it's cheaper than "going" to a game...and who am I kidding...I paid for PPV games at the end of the 06-07 season when the team went 2-18 in the final 20 games. One more thing, have you seen the PPV schedule for November? Good lord. There's like 5 of them! I'm going to need to find some friends house(s), bars and/or internet feeds to watch some of those ones. The last thing I need is an extra 75 bucks on my Satellite bill.
Ok then, my guess is Oilers 5, Stars 1. Gagner with the hat trick tonight. Yep...you heard it here first.


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Confession time: I can't believe we've ignored Hermès' highly coveted Oran slide sandals for such a long time! They've been around for quite a while now and are a classic shoe style from Hermès' permanent collection, but for some reason became a new surprise hit among fashion insiders within the last two years and so I've started seeing the Oran sandals nearly daily on my Instagram feed. I love the elegant, minimalist design, it's so chic and timeless! It's the perfect summer/vacation/beach shoe, don't you think? Except I wouldn't have the heart to spend $680 on a pair of beach shoes that could be in danger of getting stolen. Luckily, there are quite a few budget-friendly Hermès alternatives available by now that are both affordable and just as stylish as the real deal. Just keep on scrolling to see our favorite Oran dupes.
Hermès Oran Slide Sandals, $680 || Vestiaire Collective
Also available at The RealReal.
Celebrities & IGers Love Hermès
Various celebs and personal style bloggers such as Arielle Charnas (Something Navy) have been spotted wearing Hermès Oran Slide Sandals.
Kaitlyn Pan Kaylee Classic Cut Out Slippers
My personal favorite Hermès Oran dupe are these slip-on sandals by Kaitlyn Pan. We've featured Kaitlyn Pan shoes various times here on this blog and their designer shoe dupes are some of the best I've seen in my ten years of InTheirCloset, so that's saying something! I also have a few pairs of KP shoes in my closet, so I know from own experience that the quality of their shoes is superb and worth their money. And I have a feeling that's won't be any different with these Kaylee slipper sandals here.
Kaitlyn Pan Kaylee Genuine Leather Classic Cut Out Slippers, $89.99 || Amazon
Dune London Loupe Smart Slider Sandals
Another personal favorite are these slider sandals I discovered at Dune London. They're not a spot-on Oran dupe (Dune's have a small block heel and are missing the H strap bridge), but are certainly close enough to give you the same coveted designer look of Hermès for $109 instead of $680. I also love that they come in such a great variety of colors and uppers. No wonder these darlings have been Dune's bestselling style for the last couple months. I absolutely love these!
Dune London Loupe Smart Slider Sandals, $109/£80/€105 || Dune London
Also available at Selfridges, Debenhams, John Lewis, Next, House of Fraser & Amazon.co.uk.
Steve Madden Sayler Sandal Slides
Of course Steve Madden can't be missed in this list when it comes to trendy designer shoe dupes! We even found two Hermès Oran inspired slip-on slides in their current collection. No. 1 would be these fabulous and super similar Sayler sandals for $59.99…
Steve Madden Sayler Sandal Slides, $59.95 || Steve Madden
Also available at Nordstrom, 6pm, Steve Madden (CA), David Jones & Spring.
Steven by Steve Madden Greece Slip-On Slide Sandals
…and no. 2 are these Greece classic flat sandals which retail for $79.95. I like that the H-cut out design is more spot-on on these SM Oran dupes, but unfortunately they miss the contrast stitching of the Sayler slides above. Steve Madden needs to come up with a third option being which should be a hybrid between both, so we could have the perfect spot-on Hermès Oran dupe! Do you hear me, Steve?
Steven by Steve Madden Greece Slip-On Slide Sandals, $79.95 || Amazon
Also available at Steve Madden, Zappos, Dillard's, Shopbop, Shoes.com, 6pm, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, ShoeMall, HSN, Jildor & Belk.
Universal Thread Jenny Slide Sandals
If you're looking for a more frugal investment and the look for less options presented above were too expensive for your taste, have a look at these cute Hermès inspired faux leather look-alike sandal slides by Universal Thread which I found at Target. The design here is not quite as refined as on the other dupes, but for $19.99 these are a super fab and affordable alternative to the pricey real deal. Also love that these come in brown, black and white.
Universal Thread Jenny Slide Sandals, $19.99 || Target
French Sole Alibi Slide Sandals
If you're on the other side of the spectrum and are instead willing to invest quite a bit on a high-quality Hermès Oran dupe, then you might find your perfect contender in these slip-on sandals by French Sole. They're admittedly a little pricey at $150, but the craftmanship on these looks great and the design is also spot-on! And they're vailable in various colors and uppers, too.
French Sole Alibi Slide Sandals, $150 || Tuckernuck
Also available at Shoptiques.
Montego Bay Club Tango H-Band Slide Sandals
These Montego Bay Club sandals are the secret star of this dupes list. They look so much like the Hermès real deal, but cost only $9.99 which is super affordable! And did I mention these also come in black? Love, love, love + total steal deal alert!
Montego Bay Club Tango H-Band Slide Sandals, $9.99 || Payless
Jessica Buurman ELDER Basic Cut Out Slipper Slides
Last but not least are these Hermès dupes I dug up at Jessica Buurman. Personally, I think they're a bit overpriced at over $100 for a faux leather dupe, but the design is admittedly spot-on and they do come in a variety of super cute colors (including gold and silver for example), so I wanted to include them here on this list. Plus, you can save 10% by using promo code XOXOJESS to receive 10% off your order at Jessica Buurman!
Jessica Buurman ELDER Basic Cut Out Slipper Slides, $102-$129 || Jessica Buurman
More Hermès Oran Inspired Sandals…
And if you're still looking for your perfect Hermès look for less, take a look at our Oran inspired shoe picks below:
Image source(s): Hermès, Amazon, Dune London, Steve Madden, Zappos, Target, Tuckernuck, French Sole, Payless, Jessica Buurman


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I know that tracking pilots is a work in progress in dogfight mode so this information can be helpful or not...
From the debriefing.txt file:
American "ace" Captain John Chandler was shot down by NAST-idefix44.
But I'm not guilty.
Attached files are the debriefing.txt and the log.dcg.
It proves that I only destroyed ground forces.


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An elderly gentleman goes up to the Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and takes out a small whiskey bottle and a small glass...
He pours from the bottle into the glass and gives it to Mr Brabeck-Letmathe.
"Can you taste that for me please? Good sir."
The Nestlé Chairman takes up the glass of whiskey, puts it in his mouth and swishes it all around and then swallows it.
"Does that taste sweet to you at all?" Says the old man.
"Not at tall!" Replies Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe.
"Thank goodness for that says the auld fella!" - "My doctor told me I am eating too much of your Nestlé shit chocolate and to get my urine tested for high sugar levels..."


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Hi! My name is Fion, I am currently in my third year studying Nutritional Science in the faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. In my faculty, Land and Food Systems (LFS), we explore topics such as sustainability, food security, and issues relating to the food system both in our community and globally.
In our LFS 350 class, Land, Food, and Community, all of the students are involved in a different Community Food System Project for the term. My group members and I have been fortunate enough to be able to help Quest Food Exchange. This is the first year Quest is participating as a UBC LFS community partner.
We will be trying to help Quest find farms in the Lower Mainland that have an excess of fresh produce that are not marketable and can be donated for use in their programs. Of course, many of you may know that Quest is a not-for-profit organization, so it relies on food donations to run the grocery markets. Currently, Quest receives produce from Fresh Direct, but could always redistribute more. This is why we hope to find donations to increase the variety and quantity available through Quest's programs. With that said, we are also achieving a more sustainable practice because we can reduce the amount of food loss on the farms themselves. As of right now, we are still in the middle of trying to find farms to donate produce. Hopefully we will soon find further food vendor partners for Quest and clients will have even more options in terms of types of vegetables and fruits that they can obtain in the grocery markets.
Another little project that my group members and I are working on is putting up Canada's Food Guide displays around the grocery market at 2020 Dundas. The purpose of this is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the daily intake of the various food groups. By promoting this idea, we can begin to influence eating habits and help people maintain a healthy diet. This can also be a great shopping experience for people wanting to learn more about the foods that they are consuming.
Stay tuned to see what the students come up with!