Stunningly beautiful and creative

Gutsy guy photographs the world!

If you thought that Lapland photos were interesting, wait until you watch this!!! 

"From the icy Arctic to Africa's dense jungles - and the mountain tops of Mongolia to the deep waters of the Pacific - the BBC series Human Planet has explored mankind's incredible relationship with nature.

Accompanying the film crews was photographer Timothy Allen. His stunning still images captured unique glimpses of people living in the world's most extreme environments. Take a look at some of them, and listen to him explain how he snapped the most arresting shots."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12618167

Many thanks, Joan, for the link to this remarkable video!

When's the next flight to Laponsko?

Better question: WHERE IS LAPONSKO?  Whatever, I'm on it.  Want to come along?  Can you even imagine the following sights and scenery?!!!

Lapland, here I come!  

Thanks, Kathi, for alerting me to this incredible travel tip!   I think it could be colder there than where I am right now.

Quite possibly the best app out there!

CNET Editors' review

by: Paul Hughes on December 01, 2010

Find My Phone is a free app that can help you locate your missing iPhone 4, iPad, or fourth-generation iPod Touch, and it can even remotely lock or wipe all data from the device. This free, app-assisted service (which requires iOS 4.2, as well as setting up a MobileMe Free account) was previously available only to paid MobileMe subscribers.

Not surprisingly, you will likely never use this app from your device itself, but rather from your Mac (you just go to me.com/find in your browser) or from another device (one that you own, or a friend's--any device that has the app installed will work). Whether you're using your browser or another device, Find My Phone has a similar interface: once you enter your MobileMe username and password (or AppleID), you see your missing device's approximate location, determined via GPS (the accuracy of which, of course, can vary greatly, but it's typically good enough to let you know whether your iPhone is in your house, at a bar, or on a fast-moving bus). You can then display a message or play a sound on the device (a piercing sonar beep that's easily heard even through couch cushions, even if your mute switch is on), lock it up (you can set a new passcode), or wipe your phone completely (which resets your phone to factory settings, erasing all data--including the Find My Phone app).

The most cumbersome part of Find My Phone's interface is the app's setup (which can include signing up for a MobileMe Free account, and agreeing with 14 pages of Terms of Service), but it's very easy--and even kind of fun--to use once it's up and running. And this being an official Apple app, Find My Phone has good documentation. If you own one of the newer devices that's eligible for Find My Phone, you might be very thankful one day that you installed it.

Read more: Find My iPhone - Free iPhone software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com http://download.cnet.com/Find-My-iPhone/3000-2094_4-75216124.html#ixzz1idvU475s

Many thanks to G who filled me in on this brilliant bit of information.

Imagine.

If only we could live out these lyrics.  What an amazing performance.  And story. 

Kathi, what a way to start the new year.  Thank you.

To share this with others, highlight & copy the following link into emails:  http://freshperspectives.squarespace.com/blog/2012/1/1/imagine.html

Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Here's to a Very Happy New Year!

Next life maybe?

Probably not.

But this site, swimnsport, is a terrific source for swimsuits. Really.

Many Much More Conservative Name Brand Options, dramatically discounted.  

Check it out!

A very merry message

A good friend just gave me an album from Jake for Christmas.  Brilliant!  Some know, including this thoughtful person, that I've begun playing the ukelele again.  I have a way to go before recording any albums.  Right now I'll just appreciate his awesome talent.  Enjoy! 

OMGOSH/look what I found on his site:

Meghan, wonderful!

"This video just made my whole week.  The HMS Ocean deployed for a 7-week deployment exercise that ended up being 214 days.  When they heard they were going to make it home for Christmas, they made this video.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!" 

Two thumbs up!

I've recently packed on a few pounds.  Easy to do, right?  Not to worry.  I just received a great little gadget as a gift.  And I'm loving the ease with which the data is recorded and the fact that I can quickly access the info via phone or computer. It's far more than a pedometer/see specs.  

You, too, may find this handy device helpful in walking or running your way to a leaner, healthier, longer-lasting body.

Fitbit Wireless Activity/Sleep Tracker

"This device:

• Accurately tracks daily steps, stairs climbed, distance, calories burned, and activity level via 3-d motion sensor and altimeter technology
• Measures how long and how well you sleep - just wear it on your wrist at night with Fitbit wristband (included)
• Small and discreet enough to wear all day- tuck it into a pocket or clip it to a belt or bra
• Wirelessly uploads data to Fitbit.com; No monthly fee
• See online graphs, compete with friends, earn new badges and log food, weight and other workouts at Fitbit.com and on new iPhone app"

I could fit a bit of exercise into my life!

Gifts from our garden

Along with honey from the garden, our gift to friends this year is the following nut mix. Spicy, smoky, sweet, all-round sensational. Several have asked for the recipe. It's from Ina Garten's How Easy is That.  Love this and all her other books.

Note to self: Next time, find sensible source for nut purchases. Spare yourself the excitement of a totally outrageous bill/shop smart. Definitely not Draegers!

For local readers: You'll find chipolte chile powder at Penzeys Spices, Menlo Park as well as other Penzeys stores around the country.

Ina Garten's Chipotle & Rosemary Spiced Nuts
Serves 8 to 10

"When I have a little extra time before a party, I'll whip up a batch of these really delicious nuts. They're sweet, salty, and spicy--with lots of brown sugar, maple syrup, chipotle powder, and fresh rosemary. Roasting is the process that brings out the most flavor in nuts, and serving them warm is a particularly nice touch.

Vegetable oil

3 cups whole roasted unsalted cashews (14 ounces)
2 cups whole walnut halves (7 ounces)
2 cups whole pecan halves (7 ounces)
1/2 cup whole almonds (3 ounces)
1⁄3 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons ground chipotle powder
4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves, divided
Kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush a sheet pan generously with vegetable oil. Combine the cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice, and chipotle powder on the sheet pan. Toss to coat the nuts evenly. Add 2 tablespoons of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.

Spread the nuts in one layer. Roast the nuts for 25 minutes, stirring twice with a large metal spatula, until the nuts are glazed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 more teaspoons of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of rosemary.

Toss well and set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking as they cool. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm or cool completely and store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Chipotle chile powder is different from ordinary chili powder-- it's ground dried smoked jalapeños and has a distinctive hot, smoky, sweet flavor."

Great last-minute gift concept

My son introduced me to KIVA where I recently reinvested a little more $ (as little as $25 has impact) in this venture, among others.  Don't you think KIVA would be a great gift for someone in your family to receive? And then to give back?  Not to worry, vegetarian friends, there are plenty of other options from which to choose.  Visit KIVA to give a gift.

Ganmyagmar Ayurzana

Ganmyagmar, 47, is a butcher in the food market in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. She has been selling meat for less than a year, and already has permanent customers. 

Her main meat item is lamb, that she gets from suppliers in the countryside. Now Ganmyagmar want to increase her inventory before this Lunar New Year Day, the respectful Mongolian traditional holiday. 

Because the price of lamb increases during the holiday, her sales should increase for weeks. Ganmyagmar is taking a loan to purchase a large amount of lamb and to increase her working capital.

Recycle, reuse, repurpose...

all wrapped to create a treasure ball!

Each is filled with household trinkets rolled up in yards of crepe paper...

Could be used in stockings, for place cards, an invitation or for a gift!

From Chris:  Inside I put all sorts of various trinkets...from silver dollars, novelty pins, miniature figures, earrings, marbles, perfume samples, colorful rubber bands, tiny whistles...easy to do when you clean out "junk drawers" ..there are so many wonderful treasures...junky and fun!  Also as the ball gets larger things like gift cards, could be easily wound into the ball. The sky's the limit :-)!

Brilliant!

Thank you so much, Chris!  Really fun idea!

Too wonderful for words.

Skip the shopping. Watch this.

Terrific, Joan.  Simply terrific.  Thank you.

Uncommonly creative

OK, so we missed the discount. This was the only image I could snag from their site. Free delivery still exists.  I just ordered mine/adore the personalize-it-yourself possibilities.  Note that gift certificates are available.  

http://www.getuncommon.com/product/iphone4/capsule/  

Kids can do!

So can you!

 

Look closely.  I bet you can figure out how to make these!  Great fun, Karen! Thank you!

The best I've eaten in a long time!!!

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Makes about 8-9 dozen, 1.5-2 inches wide

1 cup (½ pound butter)

1 ½ cups sugar

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups rolled oats (quick cooking or half regular oats)

2 cups dried cranberries, currants or raisins

Beat sugar and butter to blend well.  Beat in egg.  Mix flour and baking soda, then add to butter.  Beat to blend.  Mix in oats and cranberries.  Drop in 1 teaspoon portions about 1 ½ inches apart on baking parchment or silicon pad.

Bake in 325 degree oven until spread and brown.  Let cool to firm, 1 or 2 minutes.  Transfer to racks to cool.  Keep airtight.  Nice and crisp and chewy, too!

Jerry Di Vecchio’s recipe made by Connie Loarie

 This cookbook looks terrific as well!

Linda's dinky babies!!!

What could be cuter?

These were too terrific!!!!  Click for link to patterns possibilities.

No time left this year to sew these BUT JUST WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!!  They're at the top of my list. Love them.  

Thanks so much for sharing, Linda!!!  

Do you sleep?

Felting follow up

OK, I did a little video using my new iPhone duct taped to a ladder/hmmmmm. How to deal with volume settings, etc. and ability to edit?  Well, as you might have noticed, these were not the only issues I have to deal with.  But I wanted to get the info out to those of you who were with me Wednesday. The rest of you will just have to hold your breath.  Maybe I'll be brave enough to post it here. OMG.  Not.  

Felting could not be easier!!!  

Particularly with the device below/as opposed to single poking device featured on Martha video from a few days ago.

Here are the basics: Shop your closet or used clothing store for wool sweaters. Wash in hot water; dry in hot drier. Cut along seams.  Lay out pattern so that arms of new sweater align with arms of old washed one.  Cut & sew.

Then the fun begins.  Will share finished product ASAP assuming it actually gets finished.

  

WHOA!

Not my neighbor.  Whew.

Gretchen, does this person reside your neighborhood? If so, good luck sleeping.

Brilliant, Connie!

I could get in big trouble on this site!  Not spending tons of money.  Rather, consuming hours I don't currently have checking out the numerous options.

Shoe Clips are an economical way to transform and revive your favorite footwear, embellish for a special occasion, or bring a little fun to casual wear.

Click here to access this Very Cool Resource!