Book I Recommend - Trivia

I bought a new book about trivia. I hope it will be a good resource for my Fun Facts of the Day.


10,000 Answers - the Ultimate Trivia Encyclopedia
written by Stanley Newman and Hal Fittipaldi  (hardbound - publ. 2001)

Crafts - Tree Decorations I Painted

These are some of the decorations I painted this year to give away. They are painted on card stock and I used Ceramcoat acrylic paints.

Crafts - Tree Decorations I Painted

These are some of the decorations I painted this year to give away. They are painted on card stock and I used Ceramcoat acrylic paints.

Crafts - Tree Decorations I Painted

These are some of the decorations I painted this year to give away. They are painted on card stock and I used Ceramcoat acrylic paints.

Crafts - Tree Decorations I Painted

These are some of the decorations I painted this year to give away. They are painted on card stock and I used Ceramcoat acrylic paints.

Crafts - Tree Decorations I Painted

These are some of the decorations I painted this year to give away. They are painted on card stock and I used Ceramcoat acrylic paints.

Crafts - Tree Decorations I Painted

These are some of the decorations I painted this year to give away. They are painted on card stock and I used Ceramcoat acrylic paints.

Crafts - Farm Animal Tree Ornaments

I saw these and thought it was a very cute idea. Templates and directions at site below-

 http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/free-christmas-templates#slide_15

Writing Exercise 9

In honor of the season, I am going to give you extra elements. Pick several and write something.







Snow
Family
Trees
Lights
Presents
Travel
Surprises
Shopping
Wrapping Paper
Jingling Bells

Amazing Gingerbread House

I have always been afraid to tackle this creative form. I did a Google search for "gingerbread house" and they came up with some wonderful examples. This one seems to take it to a new level of art, in my opinion. My hat off to whoever created this masterpiece. Just look at the amazing detail and amount of work it must have taken to create this.

Picture found at - http://youbentmywookie.com/wookie/gallery/gingerbreadapalooza/gingerbread_house_136546.jpg

Crafts - Christmas Wallhanging

Penguin Wall Art

I found this today and thought it was so cute. I hope you will find it just as interesting. The pattern is located at the address below.

http://www.debbiemumm.com/Projects/Sewing/2009/12/

 

Christmas Goodie

Cranberry Layer Bars

I thought these looked very tasty tonight. I hope you will visit this site and get the recipe and look around. I saw several interesting Christmas recipes I might try.

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/cranberry-layer-bars/125631ec-50c8-4acd-8d89-48fd7f3d0371/

Writing - Interesting Site

http://www.howto.co.uk/writing/

This site has such articles as -

The Five Minute Writer
Awaken the Writer Within
How to Set Up a Free Lance Writing Business
Writing for Magazines
The Beginners Guide to Writing a Novel

Some of these are page length and some are book length. I learned a lot from a visit. Hope you will, too. Many more available.

Crafts - Turkey Quilt Block

http://weefolkart.com/content/thanksgiving-turkey-applique-block

I like this pattern. You can get it from the above site. It uses felt but you can use any fabric you would like.

Crafts - Working with Clay and Doll Houses

http://www.cdhm.org/tutorials/learn-to-sculpt-miniature-breakfast.html

This is a very nice site that gives you detailed directions on how to create the clay breakfast.

They also offer how to make a frosted cake and bread out of clay. They also have directions on how to make other things to put into a doll house.

Thanksgiving Goodie

Thanksgiving Turkey Cookies

Aren't these cute?

Recipe found at :

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/thanksgiving-turkey-cookies/cbe3fa0f-585e-4f8f-af22-d834060252d9/

Thanksgiving Goodie

Chocolate-Cashew-Cranberry Tart

Here's where to get this great looking and sounding recipe-

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/chocolate-cashew-cranberry-tart/a5a05527-87b9-43d5-82b6-660fae1d1f66/

Fun Fact of the Day - Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

I found a good article about the Parade at this site -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macy's_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade

Did you know the parade started in 1924? The picture from the 30's  is from the above site.  Mickey sure has changed over the years, hasn't he? They have tons of information in the article including what year the assorted balloons went in new. Did you know the parade did not take place 1942-1944 because of WWII? For much more info please visit and read.









It linked to this page of really great old pictures of the balloons in the parade over the years. Well worth a visit.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/galleries/entertainment/entertainment.html

Fun Fact of the Day - Geishas

I read an interesting article on the subject of Geishas at this address -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisha

Geisha start to study their trade at a very young age and are expected to continue learning throughout their lives. They can work into their 80’s and 90’s with even experienced geishas training every day.
Geisha literally means “artist” and there are several types. Most non-Japanese associate the profession with prostitute but legitimate geisha does not engage in sex with clients. Their job involves entertaining their customers with dancing, reciting verse, playing musical instruments, and engaging in light conversation, which may include light flirting and playful innuendos, but nothing is expected to happen beyond that.


http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&q=geisha&gbv=2

I was particularly interested in the fantastic colors of their kimonos and the pretty decorations in their hair. I  did a Google Images search and was sent to this address and got some wonderful pictures to study. I hope you enjoy.

Writing Exercises 7 and 8

I am adding two writing exercises since I've been having problems the last few weeks. I hope you will enjoy these Halloween based elements. As usual, use at least three of the five and write something.

candy

costumes

fog

scary sound

spiderwebs

----------------------

scarecrow

hay

trick or treat

party

color black

Recipe - Halloween Goodies

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spooky-Witches-Fingers/Detail.aspx

Another really cute recipe. Kids will love these.

Halloween Recipe

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Mice/Detail.aspx

These are so cute. I know all the munchkins I take care of at school would flip over these. You can also roll them in powdered sugar to make them white mice, too. Enjoy

Craft Site - Multi-craft possiblities

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/index.htm

I am still having problems uploading more than one picture on Blogger. There are many on this site that I would like to share. These patterns are great for wood carving, painting, and a whole assortment of crafts.  I hope you will check them out and enjoy the patterns.

Recipe Site

http://fp.enter.net/~rburk/cakes/cakes.htm

I was in the mood for cake recipes today and found this site. Their recipes are in MasterCook format already, so it is especially nice for me. LOTS of cake recipes, not to mention, a ton of other kinds. I saved many BBQ/Grilling recipes, too.

Enjoy.

Blogger issue

I have been trying for several days to upload pictures and the gizmo isn't working. When I can get it to work, I will be back on line. I have checked the HELP site and several people are having the same problem.
take care
An Old Goat

Crafts - Free Halloween Quilt Patterns

http://alegacyofstitches.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-treat-for-you.html

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/patterns/details.html?idx=12759

http://www.cranstonvillage.com/projects/projectDetail.aspx?id=1347&list=All%20Projects&ColID=130&collectionTitle=Halloween%20Doorhanging%20Quilt&collectionView=default&collContId=110

http://www.redroosterfabrics.com/content5748.html

Halloween Clip Art - Three More Free Sites

http://classroomclipart.com/cgi-bin/kids/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Clipart/Holidays/Halloween

http://www.hersheys.com/celebrate/halloween/fun-stuff/detail.asp?id=20&img=clipart&t=content

http://www.halloweenclipart.com/halloween_clipart_images/all_clipart_images.html

Writing Exercise - 6

All this month I'll give you elements related to Halloween. As usual, choose at lease three, out of the five, and write something.

- a haunted house

- a ghost floating around

- vampires

- graveyard

- secrets

Book - for Halloween

Reader’s Digest Tricks and Treats

The Ultimate Halloween Book

- Deborah Harding    (publ  1998)

I found this book at the library but have ordered one for myself. It's not a very thick book - lay your pinkie along the spine and it's about that thick.

I liked several things in this book but my favorites were -

- Two carved pumpkin patterns – one with leaves shapes cut out all over, another with bat shapes cut out all over (on the cover)

- acorn squash looking like black cats

- butternut squash looking like ghosts

- recipes for how to make Twinkies look like a mummy and a witch.

- a haunted doll house

- a quilt pattern for black cats, pumpkins, fall leaves, and candy corn.

Fun Fact of the Day - Phobias

I found this interesting site. It's all about phobias. I have included only the "A" list. Check out the site for all the rest of the list. Look around and see how many things you are afraid of.

http://phobialist.com/


A-
Ablutophobia- Fear of washing or bathing.
Acarophobia- Fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching.
Acerophobia- Fear of sourness.
Achluophobia- Fear of darkness.
Acousticophobia- Fear of noise.
Acrophobia- Fear of heights.
Aerophobia- Fear of drafts, air swallowing, or airbourne noxious substances.
Aeroacrophobia- Fear of open high places.
Aeronausiphobia- Fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness.
Agateophobia- Fear of insanity.
Agliophobia- Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia- Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like
markets. Fear of leaving a safe place.
Agraphobia- Fear of sexual abuse.
Agrizoophobia- Fear of wild animals.
Agyrophobia- Fear of streets or crossing the street.
Aichmophobia- Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Ailurophobia- Fear of cats.
Albuminurophobia- Fear of kidney disease.
Alektorophobia- Fear of chickens.
Algophobia- Fear of pain.
Alliumphobia- Fear of garlic.
Allodoxaphobia- Fear of opinions.
Altophobia- Fear of heights.
Amathophobia- Fear of dust.
Amaxophobia- Fear of riding in a car.
Ambulophobia- Fear of walking.
Amnesiphobia- Fear of amnesia.
Amychophobia- Fear of scratches or being scratched.
Anablephobia- Fear of looking up.
Ancraophobia- Fear of wind. (Anemophobia)
Androphobia- Fear of men.
Anemophobia- Fear of air drafts or wind.(Ancraophobia)
Anginophobia- Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Anglophobia- Fear of England or English culture, etc.
Angrophobia - Fear of anger or of becoming angry.
Ankylophobia- Fear of immobility of a joint.
Anthrophobia or Anthophobia- Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society.
Antlophobia- Fear of floods.
Anuptaphobia- Fear of staying single.
Apeirophobia- Fear of infinity.
Aphenphosmphobia- Fear of being touched. (Haphephobia)
Apiphobia- Fear of bees.
Apotemnophobia- Fear of persons with amputations.
Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Arachnephobia or Arachnophobia- Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia- Fear of numbers.
Arrhenphobia- Fear of men.
Arsonphobia- Fear of fire.
Asthenophobia- Fear of fainting or weakness.
Astraphobia or Astrapophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning.(Ceraunophobia,
Keraunophobia)
Astrophobia- Fear of stars or celestial space.
Asymmetriphobia- Fear of asymmetrical things.
Ataxiophobia- Fear of ataxia. (muscular incoordination)
Ataxophobia- Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia- Fear of imperfection.
Atephobia- Fear of ruin or ruins.
Athazagoraphobia- Fear of being forgotton or ignored or forgetting.
Atomosophobia- Fear of atomic explosions.
Atychiphobia- Fear of failure.
Aulophobia- Fear of flutes.
Aurophobia- Fear of gold.
Auroraphobia- Fear of Northern lights.
Autodysomophobia- Fear of one that has a vile odor.
Automatonophobia- Fear of ventriloquist's dummies, animatronic creatures, wax
statues - anything that falsly represents a sentient being.
Automysophobia- Fear of being dirty.
Autophobia- Fear of being alone or of oneself.
Aviophobia or Aviatophobia- Fear of flying.

Art - School Clip Art

 I found these great clip art pictures for teachers and schools.


 http://www.freeclipartnow.com/

Check it out for many more pictures.

Recipes - Halloween Goodies

I found these really great looking recipes for Halloween. Since it's right around the corner, I thought you might like some more ideas. I saved all these to my MasterCook program. These pictures are from their site - so please check them out and look around.

http://www.joyofbaking.com/halloweenrecipes/halloweenrecipes.html

Chocolate Spiders

 Meringue Ghosts

Candy Corn Parfaits

Crafts - Crochet

I found this cute site. http://www.crochetmemories.com/patterns/free-patterns-category.php

Wedding Shell Fan

'Lil Squirrel Fridgie

Filet Cross Easter Egg Cover

Book - For Children

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes -  by DuBose Heyward , Pictures by Marjorie Hack

I saw this book today and had to share it with you. This was one of my all time favorite books when I was little. If you have a little person you need to get a present for any time soon, get them this. I didn't know it was still around. My favorite pictures were the ones of how she trained all of her twenty-one kids, the one on the cover of all the kids, and the one of all the Easter eggs stacked up in the palace hall.

Art - Free Camping Clip Art

I found these cute camping clip art sites. I must admit I will probably never use them since I don't go camping. I don't go because mosquitoes will cross state lines to get to me and I can't handle doing without showers. I hope someone will love these and put them to good use. There are lots of nice ones at each site.

http://dir.coolclips.com/Sports/Recreational/Hiking_and_Camping/Tents/

http://www.bry-backmanor.org/campclips.html

http://www.simpsoncity.com/houses/cam1.html

Writing - Interesting Site

This site - Writing Fix - is a site for teachers with lesson plans for classrooms. I looked at it and it can be slightly tweeked to apply to any writer. Just visit and look around. The address below takes you to a prompt generator. Below are three of the random prompts I saw.

http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/dailypromptgenerator.htm

"Too white?  Too black?  Too gray?  Write about a place you once visited that was too much of one of those colors."

"Who do you suppose starts a 'legend'?  Think back to something or someone from your youth that might have been worthy of 'legendary' status...at least from your child-like point of view.  Write about it, using a 'legendary' voice."

"What might come from the mouths of babes? Write a humorous piece of fiction where a baby's first word is a little surprising."

Crafts - Halloween Decorations

Cute ideas for Halloween. Many other holiday decorations to look at and print out from this site -

http://www.marthastewart.com/clip-art-crafts

Pumpkin Light Catchers

 


Owl Invitations















Pumpkin Party Favors