Changing environment, learning new language and new culture,being a wife and a mother, living far away from families and friends, I have come to share my views, thoughts, feelings, ideas on so many things that I cherish.

December 31, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The New Year, like an infant Heir to the whole world was waited for, with presents and rejoicings.
From the stable of REFLEXIONS, to all my Amazings Fans and Friends,
New Year Scraps

Years come and go, but this year I specially wish for you a double dose of health and happiness topped with loads of good fortune.

December 30, 2011

WELCOME TO WEEKEND BLOG HOP


Welcome to Weekend Blog Hop. Thank you for joining us and linking up. We are happy you are here and hope you will always come around. We have had a great week and now it's time for us to increase our followers by Blog Hopping all through the Weekend. Come and make new friends and find some interesting blogs to follow. Happy Hopping.

December 29, 2011

Commuting Dogs?

Commuting dogs? an interesting article about dogs in Moscow

Dogs are allowed on public transport in all  of Europe … but  generally with their 
master.


  perro1
STRAY  dogs are  commuting to and from a city centre on underground trains in  search of food scraps.

The  clever canines  board the Tube each morning.  After a hard day  scavenging  and begging on the streets, they hop back on the train and   return to the suburbs where they spend the  night.

Experts  studying the dogs say they even work  together to make sure they get off  at the right stop after learning to judge the length of time they need  to spend on the  train…
The dogs choose the  quietest carriages  at the front and back of the train.  They have  also  developed tactics to hustle humans into giving them more food   on the streets of Moscow .

Shaving with Shaving Soap


Shaving soap is generally referred to as hard soap that is whipped into a lather using a shaving brush.The lather it produces is used to coat the face during shaving, providing protection and lubrication for the razor. Shaving soap is not much different from regular soap except for some added clay that gives the soap extra slips and also works to purify the skin. Once you try a real soap to shave with, it will be difficult for you to try commercial shaving cream again.

December 28, 2011

Ellen's Favorite Hidden Camera Pranks!

I love Ellen's Show. If you are ready for some laugh, you need to watch this video.

December 26, 2011

Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop


Welcome to  Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I'm very happy to have you here. A special welcome to all my first visitors. If you are already a part of this hop, I'm thanking you so much for your help in building Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop and making it a success. Come and Get Connected and stay Connected. With this hop, you will increase your strength, followers, readers and connect to other bloggers in which ever way you like.
This blog hop is for family friendly websites only.

December 23, 2011

Kate Middleton Dazzles in a Black Gown (Fashion and Beauty Friday)

I like Kate, and so do many others. She has endeared herself to the public with her style and charm. When it comes to fashion, she rarely disappoints. I've not always been a fan of  'Long Black Dresses/Gowns (I prefer short dresses) but I totally agree with Kate on this. It looks perfect on her and I'm giving her an A+.


A photo of Princess Diana wearing similar gown also came up and she wore it well too.

December 21, 2011

Christmas Cookies

Oh thou Christmas cookies, you are the reason why I gain so much pounds after Christmas seasons.

December 20, 2011

Fergie's Christmas Card

This Christmas card by Fergie and Josh Duhamel is warm enough to lighten up the Christmas spirit in you. I also like the down to earth attitude they portrayed in the picture. 

First Snow of the Year

Yeah, we have our first snow of the year. Every body, especially the kids are always excited about the first snow. My kids have expected it for so long and this morning, we woke up to see that every where is covered with snow.
Trust kiddos for always being spontaneous, they started making snow balls on our way back from kindergarten. The balls became bigger and we all made a snow man.
Trust me for always having my camera around for such spontaneous moments. 





Inspiring Afro Hair do of the Day

I'm totally loving this Wild hair style from actress and singer Ledisi. I don't know if one should call it an extension, dreads, braids or weaves, all I know is that it fits her. Carry your look girl!!!


The singer Jill Scott as always is rocking another captivating hair style in Mo-hawk look. And she is  wearing it well.
Photo By PN2/Mandatory Credit: PNP/ WENN.com

December 19, 2011

Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop


Welcome to  Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I'm very happy to have you here. A special welcome to all my first visitors. If you are already a part of this hop, I'm thanking you so much for your help in building Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop and making it a success. Come and Get Connected and stay Connected. With this hop, you will increase your strength, followers, readers and connect to other bloggers in which ever way you like.
This blog hop is for family friendly websites only.

Thank God it's Christmas

It's Musical Monday and yes I'm highly in the spirit of Christmas. Today, I'm sharing two old Christmas classics. 'Thank God it's Christmas' by Queen and 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' by Johnny Mathis.
Happy viewing.

THANK GOD IT'S CHRISTMAS



IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

December 16, 2011

Pregnancy and High Heels (Fashion and Beauty Friday)

How long can a pregnant woman stand on her tiptoes? Seeing the way some pregnant women (especially the celebrities) rock their high heels, I can't stopping imaging how comfortable it is for them. When I was pregnant, I gave up wearing my high heels at the beginning of my second trimester because I was always loosing balance. Even now, I rarely wear them since I keep on chasing after my active toddlers at every occasion we attend.
Okay, I know that motherhood has made me loose some of my braveness, but below are pictures of some brave celebrities who will not give up their high heels even in the nearest future.

Credit: Humberto Carreno/Startraksphoto.com

Credit: Andrea Renault/Polaris

Credit: Michael Kovac/FilmMagic
Credit: Flynet

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

WELCOME TO WEEKEND BLOG HOP


Welcome to Weekend Blog Hop. Thank you for joining us and linking up. We are happy you are here and hope you will always come around. We have had a great week and now it's time for us to increase our followers by Blog Hopping all through the Weekend. Come and make new friends and find some interesting blogs to follow. Happy Hopping.

December 14, 2011

Contigo 20 oz. West Loop with AUTOSEAL® Technology - Holiday Gift Guide (Review and Giveaway)

"It is now Contigo or no other water bottles around my house". This was the house-hold rule I made after using my first Contigo product "Contigo Autoseal - Madison Water Bottle". Since then, I have become a fan and I'm so thrilled to have another opportunity of reviewing  another product from Contigo.


The Contigo® West Loop Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug with AUTOSEAL® technology keeps your favourite holiday drink hot for up to six hours. AUTOSEAL® self-sealing lid technology offers press-to-sip drinking and automatically seals between sips making it spill-proof and leak-proof – there are no lids to remove and no spouts to open. The West Loop is also top rack dishwasher safe. Throw some instant coffee packs or tea bags in the mug to make the perfect gift.

December 12, 2011

Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop


Welcome to  Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I'm very happy to have you here. A special welcome to all my first visitors. If you are already a part of this hop, I'm thanking you so much for your help in building Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop and making it a success. Come and Get Connected and stay Connected. With this hop, you will increase your strength, followers, readers and connect to other bloggers in which ever way you like.
This blog hop is for family friendly websites only.

December 11, 2011

INTRODUCING AFRICAN BLOGGERS COMMUNITY (ABC)

I am so excited to be talking about this. I have so much looked/searched for it and I hoped that there would be one and finally it's here. It's the newly launched community for all African Bloggers(worldwide). It's the AFRICAN BLOGGERS COMMUNITY.
It's a community/platform where African bloggers and also non-African bloggers who love to share African Heritage connect. As a blogger with African origin, I've always looked for a community like this but only succeeded in finding directories (not a real community where one can really communicate and interact).
Finanlly, it's here and I am super excited.
Are you a blogger? Come and join us. Like I said, it's also open for non-African bloggers. See you there. xoxox.

December 09, 2011

WELCOME TO WEEKEND BLOG HOP


Welcome to Weekend Blog Hop. Thank you for joining us and linking up. We are happy you are here and hope you will always come around. We have had a great week and now it's time for us to increase our followers by Blog Hopping all through the Weekend. Come and make new friends and find some interesting blogs to follow. Happy Hopping.

$200 HOLIDAY CASH GIVEAWAY

This is the season we all have been waiting for. Many people are showing  love and appreciation to all loved ones this season. It's been a long journey from the month of January to December, and we still remain grateful for all your supports and contributions on the things that makes us happy. One-moment-in-time, Makobi Scribe, The Organic Blonde and  7 other wonderful blogs are giving away $200 Paypal Cash . And to increase your chances we are making it 2 winners.
$200 HOLIDAY CASH GIVEAWAY

Entry is easy with Rafflecopter.  Must be 18 or over and have a valid PayPal account that can receive money.  Open worldwide. It takes the Rafflecopter widget a little time to load, kindly spare  few seconds while it loads :-)
N/B: I removed some people that entered for this giveaway, simply because they tried cheating. If you indicate that you followed someone when and it's not true, I will personally find out and all your entries will be deleted. Kindly bear with me because I got to stick to the rules...

The Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry (Fashion and Beauty Friday)


Cosmetic dentistry is the art and science of enhancing and improving the appearance of a person's smile. It is the dental treatment  that improves the beauty and health of a person. Smile  is an important aspect of looking and feeling your best. Cosmetic dentistry can work wonders for your physical and mental health. It can improve your smiles, increase your confidence and bring the dazzle back into your mouth.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), cosmetic dentistry has been shown to improve a person's overall health and emotional well-being. An improved smile can boost a person's self image, making them more confident in their daily lives.

One of the tasted and trusted benefits of cosmetic dentistry is that it produces immediate results. Chipped, cracked or broken teeth can be fixed. Most variety of dental defects can be corrected. Old ugly black and silver fillings can be replaced with new natural colour. Teeth can be whitened , lighted and brightened to counter act the effects of foods, drinks, cigarettes, etc.
It can repair dental injury caused by trauma, illness, infection, developmental abnormalities and  heredity.
The recovery time is fairly quick and it is said that patients report very small pain during the recovery period. For anyone who  suffers  from dental fear and anxiety, Sedation Dentistry Nashville will be a perfect option.

Here are some other benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry can help to improve your appearance and give you greater self confidence. Mentally, your self esteem will be higher and you will generally feel better about your self.

Because of the improved smile, you will begin to love your own smiles and your smiles will know no bound.

You will be more proud of yourself. If you used to hide your smile because of your imperfect teeth, you do not need to be ashamed any more.

Not being ashamed of your smiles can give you confidence to talk to a stranger, meet new people, get a raise and so much more.

Missing tooth can affect the functionality of the way your mouth masticate food. If you are missing a tooth or more, cosmetic dentistry could be the answer.




Disclaimer: I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog  for a franklin
dentist and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

December 08, 2011

How To Sell Online

Starting a business online is just like starting any other business but in most cases, it's a lot cheaper. What makes it cheaper is exactly not the amount of money you put inside but your effort and work. Hard work is the secret to succeeding in almost anything but it is especially important on the web.

Here are some tips on how to sell online

Do your online research: Before starting any online business or listing any particular product you want to sell online, you may want to spend some time researching about other similar products. This will help you to weigh the interest for your products/services and also help you to determine how much your product might be worth. If you are planning to sell online, it is advisable to start shopping online. When you put yourself in the consumer's place, you will be in a better postion to understand their needs.

Let Your Picture Speak: Your picture says it all. We know that people want to see things before they buy them. For successful online selling, make sure that any product you list is accompanied by professional quality photograph.

Learn all about Shipping: There is no doubt that some methods of shipping are better than others. You would want to find the best methods of shipping for your products in terms of expense and reliability and make sure to specify the shipping method in your listing. Include information on shipping costs and integrate any taxes within your price list.

Functional Shopping Carts:Be sure to have adequate product descriptions, pictures, specification and very clear pricing.  Include a foreign exchange calculator if you are shipping internationally.  Your shopping cart pages should be  protected by a Secure  Certificate to give visitors the confidence to reveal their personal and credit information.

How you write matters: Pay as much attention to the writing of your listing as to your picture. To write a powerful listing, you need to combine search engine friendly phrasing with concrete details about the product in the way that will entice people to buy the product.

Be Business-Like: Act professionally, provide the kind of superior customer service that will build your reputation. Make sure you are following the business rules that apply, such as registering your business and properly charging and remitting taxes. Selling online is just like any other business, to become successful, you need to follow the rules and provide the kind of customer satisfaction that will translate into increased online sales.






 Disclaimer:I am participating in a blog campaign from Bucks2Blog for an online
website builder company and was compensated. However, the views and
opinions are my own.

December 07, 2011

Reasons to Buy Handmade Shoes

Photo: John Lobb Bootmaker


I love shoes and I like men who wear good shoes. I've heard people say that "You can know a man's taste by looking at the pair of shoes he is wearing". I don't know how true it is but it made some sense to me. A man's shoes definitely tells a lot about him. My husband happens to be the type that goes for quality and classy shoes but he easily runs out of patience when he doesn't find what he wants. 

One of the things my husband and I share in common is our 'irregular shoe sizes'. Shopping for new shoes can be exhausting because we spend lots of hours visiting different shoe shops and trying out tons of shoes. The problem is always that the fitted ones are not the type of shoes we would want to wear and the ones we really like don't fit. This can be frustrating.

We couldn't be thankful enough since we opted for handmade shoes (especially my husband).  He loves them. Now  he enjoys wearing his shoes without feeling pains and I can now walk well (even in high heels) because I no longer wear those 'ill fitted shoes' that put tremendous stress on my legs. We found out that buying handmade shoes is not a luxury but it's giving your feet the necessity of comfortability, free from pains which usually affects the way you walk and can cause problems to the spine.


Here are 5 good reasons to buy handmade shoes:


1. They are comfortable. They are specially made for you no matter the size or the shape of your feet.

2. Handmade shoes are unique. They are not just made for people but made for you, your class and you can choose your design.

3. Handmade shoes are made of high quality and fine materials which assures better durability and comfortability compared to machine made ones.

4. If you buy a handmade shoe, you are not only buying quality but perfection and style to suit your personality.

5. Because of their incredible craftsmanship, they are made to withstand the pressure of high amount of wear and tear.



Disclaimer: I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was
compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

December 06, 2011

St. Nicholas Day.

Today is St. Nicholas Day (the 6th day of December). In this part (South) of Germany, Sankt Nikolaus still comes as a bishop with flowing beard and a bishop's miter and staff (In Catholic Churches). Houses are thoroughly cleaned and children clean and polish their shoes or boots in preparation for the saint's visit. On the evening before St. Nicholas Day, children put letters to the good saint along with carrots or other food for his white horse or donkey on a plate or in their shoes. These are left outside, under the bed, beside a radiator, or on a windowsill in hopes of finding goodies from St. Nicholas the next morning. During the night Sankt Nikolaus goes from house to house carrying a book in which all the children's deeds are written. If they have been good, he fills their plate, shoe or boot with delicious fruits, nuts and candies. If not, they may find potatoes, coal, or twigs.
Get more information about St. Nicholas here

Here are what we  St. Nicholas gave the kids: 




How do you celebrate your St. Nicholas day?

December 05, 2011

Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop


Welcome to  Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I'm very happy to have you here. A special welcome to all my first visitors. If you are already a part of this hop, I'm thanking you so much for your help in building Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop and making it a success. Come and Get Connected and stay Connected. With this hop, you will increase your strength, followers, readers and connect to other bloggers in which ever way you like.
This blog hop is for family friendly websites only.

Adele - Someone Like You Live at the Brit Awards 2011 (Musical Monday)

She is such a beautiful lady with beautiful voice. I love the emotions in her voice when she sings. Adele is so talented and I can't hear enough of her.
'Someone like you' is a hit and you need to see her live performance at the Brit Awards 2011.
I've also included the song text. Enjoy:


I heard that you're settled down,
That you found a girl and you're married now.
I heard that your dreams came true,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you

December 02, 2011

WELCOME TO WEEKEND BLOG HOP


Welcome to Weekend Blog Hop. Thank you for joining us and linking up. We are happy you are here and hope you will always come around. We have had a great week and now it's time for us to increase our followers by Blog Hopping all through the Weekend. Come and make new friends and find some interesting blogs to follow. Happy Hopping.

November 30, 2011

Great Razors for Clean Shaves

As more men and women are becoming more conscious of self-grooming, the art of  shaving  is becoming more popular even among our young youths. Many people have different methods of shaving but one of the ways to get a desired clean shave depends on the razor you use. You need a razor you can count on for a comfortable shave every time. There are lots of razors out there, but not all of them will give you the smooth, even and hassle-free shave you need.

Here are some good rated and safety razors that offers great designs at affordable prices and still gives you a close and comfortable shave with a minimum of passes.

1. The Art of Shaving Fusion Chrome Collection Manual Razor.

* Perfectly balanced and weighted to feel like a natural extension of your hand
* Stability and control are maximize
* The sleek, contemporary handle is an ideal combination of ergonomics and innovative design
* Micro-textured grip surface.
* Use Gillette Fusion Replacement Blades.


2. Gillette Fusion Proglide Manual Cartridge, 8-count Package

 
* Gillette's best shave reengineered thinner blades effortless glide. Less tug & pull. Microcomb helps guide hair to blades streamlined comfort guard new channels clear away excess prep
* Less tug & pull
* Microcomb helps guide hair to blades streamlined comfort guard new channels clear away excess prep
* Now consumers can experience incredible comfort, even if they shave every day
* 3 blades for glide and comfort


3. The Art of Shaving Fusion Chrome Collection - Power Razor with Proglide Blades 2 piece

* Newly designed pack includes POWER RAZOR and 8 bonus ProGlide blades.
* Perfectly balanced and weighted.
* Gentle micro-pulses help you reduce friction and increase razor glide.
* The built-in spotlight reveals details normally in shadow.
* Handcrafted in polished chrome and wrapped in a matte black, thermo-resin grip.




 
Disclaimer: I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was
compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

November 28, 2011

Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop


Welcome to  Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. I'm very happy to have you here. A special welcome to all my first visitors. If you are already a part of this hop, I'm thanking you so much for your help in building Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop and making it a success. Come and Get Connected and stay Connected. With this hop, you will increase your strength, followers, readers and connect to other bloggers in which ever way you like.
This blog hop is for family friendly websites only.

Beyonce's Inspirational Pregnancy Outfits

So long gone are the days that women look unattractive because of pregnancy. It's true that it can change your looks or you could gain some pounds, but that doesn't stop you from being as hot as you used to be. As a young mother, I loved my pregnancy body and loved showing it off. 
Here are some Beyonce's pregnancy outfits I'm digging  so well. There is no doubt she is going to be a Hot Mama....







November 25, 2011

The amazing Cucumber

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber.  Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?  Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds?  Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long.  The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool?  Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite.  Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache?  Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.  Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?  Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes?  Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge?  Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa?  Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints?  Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?  Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake?  Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life’s everyday problems.


This information was in “The New York Times” - “Spotlight on the Home” series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

WELCOME TO WEEKEND BLOG HOP


Welcome to Weekend Blog Hop. Thank you for joining us and linking up. We are happy you are here and hope you will always come around. We have had a great week and now it's time for us to increase our followers by Blog Hopping all through the Weekend. Come and make new friends and find some interesting blogs to follow. Happy Hopping.

November 24, 2011

Reasons Why Organic Beef is Better for You

Going green was one of the best lifestyle changing decisions we made some years ago before the birth of our first child. We had lots of reasons to go green and to raise children who will  also be environmental friendly. This decision affected our lifestyles positively and most especially the things we eat. We buy locally produced crops, fruits and vegetables from our local organic farmers and our meat/dairy products are bought from farms/ranches that take care of the environment because they raise their animals in an ethical manner.


While I still like to eat organic natural beef, I'm amazed at the type and quality of meats that are being produced everyday by industrial farmers. Their animals are fed antibiotics,GMO feed and other artificial drugs, the bovine human growth hormone, etc. Ranch raised are clues that the animals were raised in a more human way. They are not confined but spend time out doors in the fresh air. Their livestocks are raised traditionally, humanely and sustainably to produce the finest tasting food in the world. All their animals are raised outdoors or in deeply bedded pens. If you still enjoy eating your meats, especially now that the holiday/festive seasons are drawing near, why not try switching over to cattle that are all vegetarian fed and you can not only notice the quality and taste of the natural meat but you are also helping to support a healthier environment.

Here are Some Reasons Why Organic Beef is Better for You

1.  Natural beef  is healthier for you and your family. Animals raised organically are not allowed to be fed antibiotics or artificial drugs. They are also not allowed to eat genetically modified foods.

2.  Switching to natural beef can help keep our environment clean. They are raised in a healthier environment, fed organic feed and often eat a wider range of nutrients than those raised in factory farms.

3. Natural beef is more tasty. Organically raised animals have been shown to be significantly healthier and tastier  than their factory counter parts.

I'm wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday. Happy Thanksgiving.


Disclaimer:I am participating in a blog campaign from Bucks2Blog for an online
website builder company and was compensated. However, the views and
opinions are my own

November 23, 2011

A Loyal Dog Guards Grave Of Deceased Master

People living in a Chinese village have been so moved by a dog that has been guarding the grave of its deceased owner they plan to build a kennel for him.

The yellow dog belonged to Lao Pan, a single man who died earlier this month aged 68.


After his room in Panjiatun village near Qingdao city, Shandong Province, was cleared his dog disappeared.

But villagers later found the dog by the grave of its owner. Reports say that for seven days, the dog stayed there, refusing to leave.

Seeing that the dog was going without food, the locals tried to take it back to the village and gave it some buns.

The dog took the buns and returned to the graveyard.

Now the villagers are taking food and water to the dog regularly and plan to put up a kennel for it near its owner’s grave.

The story is reminiscent of Edinburgh’s Greyfriar Bobby, a Skye terrier who, history recalls, spent 14 years at his master’s grave in the 19th century.

He is now immortalised with a bronze statue in the city and has his own website.

Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for Edinburgh City Police. He was two when Gray died of tuberculosis in 1858 and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

The dog apparently spent the rest of his life sitting on his master’s grave, cared for by well-wishers.

Several books and films have been based on his story.
Source

November 22, 2011

Fresh Ideas World Series: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving: A Great Start and a Fabulous Finish

Adding a warm cup of delicious soup to your holiday menu can help to stimulate the appetite without filling you up. Homemade soups are a great way to kick off your holiday meal, and they make great leftovers for a light lunch. And while pies are the norm at the Thanksgiving table, starting your own tradition with a unique dessert can create a memorable finish with annual requests for more. Delight in the flavors of the season with these yummy recipes.

Butternut Squash and Roasted Garlic Soup  
The bright orange color of butternut squash is a seasonal addition to your holiday meal. For families with babies over 8 months old, this soup can be easily made into baby food by thickening it with mashed rice, potato, or baby cereal. 

Ingredients:
  • 1 Large or 2 small butternut squash (4 lb)
  • 20 garlic cloves ,peeled
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • 4 cups (32oz.) chicken broth
  • 1 can (12oz.) coconut milk or 1 cup half & half
  • 1 tsp. tarragon
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
  • Chives or Parsley, chopped as garnish (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and fibers. Using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife, remove the skin from the squash and cut the flesh into 1-inch thick slices.

In a roasting pan, combine the squash and garlic cloves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with a spoon until well coated. Pour in the water. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the squash and garlic are soft and golden, about 50-60 minutes. Add a bit more water if the squash begins to look dry or scorched. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Combine roasted squash and garlic with 2 cups of the stock in a blender or food processor. Puree until very smooth, about 1 minute. (You may need to work in batches to prevent overflowing the blender). Transfer the puree to a large soup pan. Stir in the remaining soup stock, coconut milk (or Half & Half), tarragon, and lemon zest.

To serve, warm soup thoroughly and ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle with chopped chives or parsley.

Makes 8 servings

Note: Can be made 1-2 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or frozen up to 2 months.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

A nice alternative to pumpkin pie, these soft cookies are a delightful treat. The little ones can help with this easy recipe. Make them in advance and freeze them to seal in freshness. The cookies will thaw in one hour at room temperature. You are sure to create smiles with this dessert.

Ingredients:
  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • Orange Glaze (recipe follows)
Directions:  
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.  

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.  

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Orange Glaze over cookies. 

ORANGE GLAZE:  
Combine 1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel in medium bowl until smooth.

Makes 20 cookies
For more Info, Subcribe to Fresh Ideas
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...