Signs of Your Politics

A friend always sends joke emails to me, and I usually put them in a folder. Well, here they are! (some 8 months later)...All in the same post! {^__^}.....(CAPTIONS: Below images.)

[REPUBLICAN]

[DEMOCRAT]

[LIBERTARIAN]

[SOCIALISTS]

[DICTATOR

"Okay--okay...enough laughter (.-_=.)
....For the "real" laughs, go to, or get back to:
"The Carnival of Comedy!"
Hosted by Doc Rampage.

Périgrinations of Yvon

The amazing photographs from a truly talented Photographer, Yvon. His amazing Photographic Works span the globe, capturing quiet moments of the real people we never see, from his personal périgrinations throughout the world.

Visit: Les photos d'Yvon

Yvon will be leaving in a couple of days to Tibet.

Stay in touch with his travel blogs, as he posts from afar.

(blog sur le Cambodge)
(blog sur la Mongolie)

Hat tip: from the delicious site of: penglobe.over-blog.



Note:Thank you. Written permission to publish, must be obtained by Yvon.
Note: Merci.. écrit la permission d'éditer, doit être obtenu par Yvon.

Beauty Torture Tuesday

I have to tell you.. With a slight twinge of insanity, I almost deleted this blog last night... (^__^)
I'm a pretty organized person, with a good deal of predictability...nearly caving under the untidy, randomness of blogging.

This month, I've noticed that many bloggers have created days for certain posts. So with that being said, this is:

#1 of a series:

"Beauty Torture Tuesday!"

I'll try to snap a few Torture victims roundst & about.

So bookmark this spot...
You could also blogroll me...ha. (to make it tidier, of course)....(*,,,,*)

(I know it's not polite to say that)
PHOTO: by permission: here.

The Sweetly Bee

IMAGE: © Holybluejeans: See more here

~~THE SWEETLY BEE~~
Hath none seen the sweetly bee?
Lit upon a blossomed tree...

His dusty feet of nectar bliss,
Of sunshine, rainbow's daylight mist...

With macro lens, I stood so still,
Of wings most lifeless, camera's fill...

A purple quilted cap he wore,
Oh how I wish, he'd dance some more...

I shook the pod, beneath his toes.
-
-
"OW-w-w-w!!!" I cried, "He's stung my nose!!"
{.--_ =.}
~~~~~~~

Matt
hosts The
Carnival of Poets #3

The Owner's Manual:
Best of Me Symphony #129!

POEM: (^_^)MB 05-©
book/mag. publication © | Digimarc -06

Monday's luxury Home #1

[Jeff's listing: 800-792-7040]

A Monday Topic (inspired by new traffic.)
"Monday’s luxury Home" (link-love) day, for sellers with properties you might want to see (or just visit the site).
Qualified buyers: all you have to do is mention my site, for a truly wonderful red-carpet showing! (^_^)

Luxury Home:
See Jeff Manson : 800-792-7040; who lists the most prestigious properties on the Islands of Hawaii. here.
(Home above) $26,500,000
Built on the lands of royalty, facing Diamond Head
(Honolulu, Hawaii; in the region of HawaiiKai)
"This new home brings together old and new Hawaii. It is as though the house grows directly out of the land, a manifestation of its spirit in a built structure. Inspired by the classic Andalusian-Chinese-Hawaiian style, the home evokes serenity, a respite from the world, a place of enduring quiet beauty."

Monday's Listing TIP:
Expert advice from Betsy Schiffman (Forbes) on selling your multi-million dollar home, in a soft market.
(Could apply to any scale of home) here.

Monday's luxury Homes Story:
Sting explains the value of having Seven Homes: here

Next Monday:
An inside private look at a famous Rock Ledgend's Lovely home.
(NEW listing!).

Sellers? Referrals?: Email me

All Facets of Liberty

In all facets of Liberty, history judges the sum of all of our contributions. Even those individual contributions which might appear small at the time. All will reflect the Liberty of the future. Taking stands for a better life while honoring this great country, is exactly what the passage of the 19th amendment reflects.

Charlotte Woodward Pierce, an American citizen who in 1850, joined the American Woman Suffrage Association... and in 1871, active in the Association for the Advancement of Women, was the only one (of the sixty-eight women who signed the Declaration of Sentiments at Seneca Falls in 1848) who lived to see its passage. This Declaration, represented one tiny step towards the evolution of a then, much needed adaptation for
The Women’s Rights Amendment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt: From an article by -Judith Wellman, Historian
Historical New York (see full article: here.) Hat Tip: From Bratislava .

...”And whose conciliatory attitude toward all branches of the suffrage movement lasted until her death. In 1921, when she was 92 years old, she sent a trowel to the National Woman's Party, to be used in laying a cornerstone for the NWP's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The inscription read, "In memory of the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848: presented by its sole survivor, Mrs. Charlotte L. Pierce, in thanksgiving for progress made by women and in honor of the National Woman's Party, which will carry on the struggle so bravely begun." When observers took this as an endorsement of a party for women only, Woodward Pierce quickly clarified her views. The National Woman's Party, she said, "seems to be a woman's party. I do not believe in that. I think women should go into the existing parties." "My heart is with all women who vote. They have gained it now, and they should not quarrel about the method of using it."

Linked with: Carnival of Liberty.
~Hat Tip: Truthlaidbear ; reynolds

Lovely Little Mousse

[Lovely Little Mousse; mb©-05]
THE WEEKEND BUFFET
Visit the buffet at Cafe Oregano.

"Delicious and easy to make." ~M.B.
~~Lovely Little Mousse~~~

(Serves 8)
generous 1-2/3 cups (40 cl) heavy cream
1- 1/2 (350 g) granulated sugar
14 eggs
1-1/2 tablespoons (12 g) gelatin
5 tablespoons cold water
zest of 5 lemons
7/8 cup (20 cl) lemon juice
1 Genoese cake
7/8 cup (200 g) raspberry sauce
a few candied lemon peels, sliced thin
mint leaves

How-to:
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the yolks with a scant 1/2 cup sugar, the lemon juice, and the lemon zest.
Bring the cream to a boil then pour it little by little onto the yolk and sugar mixture, whisking constantly. Place the mixture over moderate heat, and boil, whisking for 2 minutes. Dissolve the gelatin in the water. Remove the cream mixture from the heat, stir in the gelatin, and reserve.
Beat the egg whites until they are very stiff, then beat in the remaining sugar. While the cream is still warm, fold in the egg whites.
Cut the Genoese cake into three (horizontally) so as to have three thin layers. Place one layer in the bottom of a soufflé mold or a flan ring 3 inches high and spread with half of the lemon mousse. Cover with a second layer of cake and cover with the remaining mousse, then place the third piece on top and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
To serve, turn out the cake (orremover the flan ring) and cut it into individual servings. Add the candied lemon peal, and decorate with fresh mint leaves! (^_^)

Butterscotch In Your Tea?

"Don't miss Laurence Simon's 75th edition of..."Carnival of The Cats."






Hosted by: annoyinglittletwerp!....
Visit here!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Great Silent Film

Just now finished watching the 1919 Cecil B. DeMille silent film, starring Gloria Swanson, entitled: "Male and Female."

One of DeMille's first films (comprised of about 2 hours of color-tinted scenes) centers around the experience of the daughter of a British Aristocratic (Lord Loam) who, having just ship wrecked at sea, finds herself reduced to lowliness, while sharing her plight, closely amongst the remaining surviving (yet paltry) servants. (ha).
Until, that is, she falls in Love with a handsome, mere servant...
The music score (so-so) moved throughout the scenes, shifting from one drama to the next. The end of the movie finds true Love amongst two of the survivors. (Though not as one would expect.)...A truly nostalgic film.

A list of DeMille's movies can be found here.

Just now found this amazing image within my collection of old, old, books!! The fold of the page prevents me from showing the Grecian, strappy high heel shoes with pearls… Which, by the way, have (somewhat) come into style.

Linked with: Wizbangblog ; Ubercarnival ; Watch Don Surber char "Everyone"; at The Bonfire Of The Vanities #112.

Friday Catblogging

You won't want to miss
The Friday Ark! ...

and Carnival of the Cats
on Sunday!





(Russell Pee Schultz, & Menew- 2003)

Financial News Items; UK

~According to Business Timesonline.co.uk:
US heading for house price crash, Greenspan tells buyers
By Graham Searjeant, Financial Editor
(excerpt)
WALL STREET| August 27, 2005 - "Rob Carnell, of ING Bank in London, said that Mr Greenspan’s warning was an eerie reminder of a successful campaign last summer by Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, to “use rhetoric rather than interest rates” to cool an overheating homes market. Britain has avoided a crash thus far."
Read more here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 20 fastest growing Fortunes
Tips on managing the ability to make donations to charity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Britain’s pass the £200 billion super rich barrier.
This year's top 10 UK Rich List.

Perche De Cresson

[Perche De Cresson:; mb©-05]
CARNIVAL OF RECIPIES #54
~~The entrée: (Perch Watercress)
Basic Gourmet cooking techniques, made simple...

(Serves 8)
8 perch, filleted (save the bones)
4 additional perch (filleted)
1 cup and 1 tablespoon (25 cl) white wine
(preferably dry Vouvray)
2 cups and 1 tablespoon (50 cl) water
1 bouquet garni
1 carrot, sliced
1 onion, sliced
7/8 cup (200g) butter
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 bunches watercress with stems removed and leaves washed
1 lemon
salt and pepper

"This may look a little complicated, but gourmet cooking has tried and true steps that go fast after you become familiar, They make all the difference in taste." ~M.B.

How-to:
Make a stock for cooking the fish by boiling together the wine, water, carrots, onions, bouquet garni, salt and pepper; cook until the vegetables are tender. Coarsely chop the fish bones, wrap them in cheesecloth, and place in the stock to infuse, away from heat, for 10 minutes. Strain the stock and reserve.

Just before cooking and serving the fish, place 6-1/2 tablespoons of the stock in a small saucepan. Boil to reduce by two thirds, add the cream, and boil slowly, whisking constantly, to reduce by a quarter more. Whisk in the butter little by little, season with salt and pepper, as needed, and keep the sauce warm in a bainmarie.
Drop the watercress into a large pot of salted boiling water, then drain immediately and cool under cold running water. Press to extract as much water as possible, then chop fine (by hand or blender) and add to the butter sauce.
Heat the remaining fish stock until it simmers (it should not boil) add the fish fillets to it, and poach for 3 minutes. Lift out the fillets and drain on a towel.

Spoon some of the sauce onto each plate, place the fillets on top, squeeze a little lemon juice over the fish, and serve. This dish should not be served too hot.


Tip: 1. carefully place individual plates to warm, prior to serving.
Tip: 2. Make plates creative with the color of a little tomato, and also as I've used leeks and tiny little fresh watercress leaves. (If you can see, here.) (^_^)

Raspberry Pomme

[Raspberry Pomme; mb©-05]

CARNIVAL OF RECIPIES #54
~~~~The desert: (Rasberry Apple)
Once you prepare this, you will serve it again, and again...

(Serves 6)
6 Large Apples
1-3/4 cup (250 g) flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 lb (125 g) butter
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 egg yolk - 7/8 cup (20 cl) water
1/2 (250 g) butter, softened
4 tablespoons (50g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons powdered cinnamon

How-to:
Make ordinary pie dough with the ingredients indicated. Roll it out and cut it into large circular pieces, each big enough to enclose a whole apple completely. Save any scraps of dough for decorating.
Core the apples using an apple corer. With the tip of a knife, draw a little line around the top quarter of each apple to keep it from bursting when baked. Fill the center of each apple with butter mixed with sugar and cinnamon. Wrap each apple in a piece of dough - cut to look like leaves (or any shape, you like.) (^_^)

Place the apples on a lightly oiled baking sheet, and bake for 25 to 30 min.
Serve apples on desert plates with raspberry sauce.
For the sauce:
1 lb (400 g) raspberries
1 cup (25 cl) water
2-1/2 (500g) granulated sugar
dash of Grand Marnier

Tip: 1. Carefully place plates to warm, prior to serving.
Tip: 2. If you prefer more of a Raspberry syrup, add 1/4 pound (100g) of raspberries at the end of the preparation (for color and taste) to my syrup recipe here.

Continual Hippy-Chic

"Wherever one shops, it's 'Hippy-Chic' and everything related to
'Hippy-Chic.' It may have been fun for last season, now it's monotony.
Who could do a decent shop?" ~M.B. (^_^)

"Take on me".. parody

My friend Marco from Spain, has posted a very cute cartoon video called,"Family Guy: Take on me parody"
under his post: "los ordenadores son nuestros amigos."
Follow the posts by visiting Marcos here!
(sorry no permilink was available.)

Périgrinations of Yvon

Truly amazing photographs from the wonderful site of Yvon, who posts from personal périgrinations throughout the world at Yvonphotos.
(At: yvonphotos.over-blog.com)

Hat tip from the delicious site of: penglobe.over-blog .


NOTE: You must have permission to publish these Photographs by the author of this site. | Vous devez avoir la permission d'éditer ces photographies par l'auteur de cet emplacement. | Sie müssen Erlaubnis haben, diese Fotographien durch den Autor dieses Aufstellungsortes zu veröffentlichen.

More Press Than Needed

"None are really quite sure just why it is, but at the least desired moment, one has more press than is ever welcomed. Here are a couple examples today, of a 'More Press Than Needed' day" ~M.B.

Piano Man Story ends in Discord
August- 2005; James Button, a Herald Correspondent in London, writes that it has been four months since a young man (unable to speak) was found wandering on a beach in Kent. Lost, and wearing a drenched suit, he soon touched the hearts of people around the World as an accomplished pianist. Now found to have no trouble speaking, but can hardly play the piano at all. This, after the aid of tens-of-thousands of pounds, and much public sympathy.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additionally, in the news this morning: ~smh.au
Harassed Cows Make Their Way Up Alps
August- 2005; Cold Swiss cows, being hounded by press, make their way along Lona pass, throughout the Swiss Alps at 2795 meters... Trudging along, in search of a moments privacy...
Once again, press... milking it to the hilt.~~~~~~~~
The Owner's Manual: Best of Me Symphony #123!

Western Herbal Culture

The freshness of just picked and naturally milled herbs of curry, fresh sage, and cayenne, scent the air, in my favorite open-air International Market.

Less than a decade ago these import markets were a flourishing, first choice, bulk quality, herbal import. Today, however, we see an ever growing World population, with a shift in its direction of food consumption.

Now geared for faster food products, Urbanites have set the need for the distribution of bulk food seasoning products, instead of an alternative health, holistic market. Many of these import manufacturers today, opt to meet the demands of a high-profit industry:

"The lab seasonings market."

Even within the limited population of holistic herbal circles of today, a majority unknowingly obtain a selection of herbs that, sadly, are without their possibility of intended potency. Either they have been harvested out of season, or most commonly are milled to include low grade filler herbs.

The World population must again move towards redefining the needs, benefits, and uses of the herbal supplement. At best many of these products for holistic use, supply less than 15% of their natural potency by the time they reach the last stages of milling, and then to shelf availability.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It gives me great pride to introduce you to, a National Treasure of Good Health inspiration, and supplier of the World's finest herbs: Dr. Richard Schulze.

With a miraculous shift in positive, healthy lifestyle, coupled with an equally powerful botanical herbal regimen, Dr Schulze has assisted to help literally hundreds of thousands heal themselves, over a span of thirty years.

I have become accustomed to this Doctor's hand-selection of finest herbs in the world, and admire his unique approach to healing. If you or a loved one is ill, or have been diagnosed with an incurable disease, please go to his site: here. 1-800-Herb-Doc (Audio at front)

~The Lovely and healthy blog of Spiralvisions is hosting:
Carnival of Healing #13: "An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away."

Haute Couture Inspiration

The flow of fabric, the neo-Baroque elegance of Christian Lacroix
... Haute Couture.
~A personal favorite~

Reworking clothes and objects into newly conceived garments and accessories is a specialty, at Martin Margiela's London shop.

If you Love Window Shopping, here's a guide to some you may have missed, or ideas for your own shop here.

Saturday Update

~No bombings Today~Everyone gave to charity
~Peta didn't threaten anyone~All children smiled

The Flight Blanket

Visit, the Carnival of the Dogs, hosted by Mickey's Musings, and the Modulator's Friday Ark #48 .

"Hummm... Didn't I pack that little flight blanket?"

New Source of Energy

"There is so much important news about the fear and temperament of the Planet, that additional information concerning updates on a Major Energy Breakthrough, somehow seem to miss making significant news." ~M.B.

According to University of Missouri: Aug, 2005

Source: University of Missouri Researchers at the
University of Missouri-Columbia

"Research Teams have developed a more efficient source of energy involving nano-scale particles that take only microseconds to create and can be developed on a surface as small as a microchip."

"This technology is considerably less expensive than existing chemical and physical processes," said Shubhra Gangopadhyay, professor of electrical engineering at MU. "It creates high amounts of mechanical and thermal energy and can convert that energy into electrical energy. So, the possibilities are endless in terms of what this energy can do."

Although researchers currently are seeking a patent for this technology, read more about how this process can be done on glass without affecting its surface, and does not necessarily need electricity to start it! All that is needed is friction or impact. Full story.

Travel-Time Again..

"As was expected, I leave early this morning. See you late Friday.
(^_^) Have fun, and always think Good Thoughts." ~M.B.

Sea Bass Hollandaise

[Sea Bass Hollandaise; mb©-05]

CARNIVAL OF RECIPIES #53
~~Sea Bass Hollandaise~~
Summertime with friends, at the river cabin...

(Serves 4)
2 sea bass weighing about 2- 1/2 lbs (1 kg) each
2 cups a 2 tablespoons (50 cl) fish stock, total
7/8 cup (20 cl) white wine
4- 1/4 cups (1 L) heavy cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 teaspoons (2 cl) white vermouth
1/2 cup (12.5 cl) hollandaise sauce
4 small mushrooms, cooked in butter
Salt and pepper
2 carrots, peeled and cut into julienne strips
1 zucchini (courgette) cut into julienne strips
1 leek, white only, cut into julienne strips
1 oz (30g) truffle, cut into julienne strips

How-to:
Scale and clean the fish, cutting off the heads and the ends of the tails. Season inside and out with salt and pepper. Place them in a roasting pan with 7/8 cup fish stock and add white wine to cover. Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) oven, basting frequently for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the fish and keep warm.
Pour the cooking liquid into a deep frying pan and boil until only a thick fish glaze is left in the pan. Add the cream and vermouth and a little salt and pepper as needed and a little lemon juice. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the hollandaise, then strain the sauce through a sieve. Keep warm.
Cook first the carrots, then the leek, and last, the zucchini in a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook each vegetable until tender, then drain and cool in cold water. (Make sure not to over-cook.)
Heat the remaining fish stock in a pan with an equal amount of water. Add the truffle, cut into julienne strips, as well as the other vegetables.
Place the fish on a serving platter and spoon some of the sauce over them. Sprinkle some of the vegetables over the fish and place a whole 'twirled' mushroom on each one. (I also added lemon wedge for accent & to decorate lightly.)
(^_^) Serve the remaining vegetables and sauce separately.

Tip: 1. Green beans sautéed in butter and steamed potatoes can be served with the bass.
Tip: 2. carefully place individual plates to warm, prior to serving.

I can't believe it...

I went to a 7-11, put gas in my car, set my new purse and package down (only for a second) to get a stick of gum, and Wooosh!
Purse and package (with the new T-Shirt). gone!
Waaaaa! (.-, __-.)...(cry) I didn't even get a chance to enter the new Dr. Phat Tony's T-Shirt Contest!

I just know the tall, smelly, 7-11 employee (that tried to charge me 110.17 for a tank of gas) took it... Waaaa!

Back over to purchase again.

Painting Completed

[Tribute-Kandinsky's Tun; mb©-05]
At last! I've just finished another painting this morning! (^_^)
It is inspired by Kandinsky's Oriental (which was really of his visits to Tunisia in 1907-8.) Although it is a large painting, the Painting image (above) is sized for the site... coming soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Continuing to paint... (^_^)

The Removal Continues...

[Smh© Shirat Hayam; Forcible removal]

An enlightening account of the conflict and eviction on the Gaza, by a family living in Israel.

From their family operated site, they shed light on why a large majority of Israel’s population wants and supports this disengagement, and their hopes for the future. Read an article from their site, entitled: The Gaza Disengagement.

Proclamation Issued

Summary of Article | Smh: August 16, 2005 | 10:49AM
~Read Complete story.
Executed woman finally gets pardon
Following a one-day trial before an all-white, all-male jury in Georgia, Lena Baker, from the church choir, became the only woman ever executed in Georgia's electric chair. Today, she is now being granted a posthumous pardon...
~60 years after her death.~
In response, Baker's grandnephew, Roosevelt Curry, who has led the family's effort to clear her name, said, "I believe she's somewhere around God's throne and can look down and smile."

Utility Gouge-Terminator

Reliant Energy Settles Suits With California Utilities for $445 Million.
AP | HOUSTON Aug 15, 2005
(Excerpt)
"This settlement is great news for California," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a prepared statement. "The people of California deserve affordable and reliable energy supplies. I will continue to fight for justice from companies that took advantage of California residents and businesses during the energy crisis." Full story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another timely article: Energy Compromises?
by Victor Davis Hanson, which deals with conflicts that we ALL must face, OUTSIDE the country Read here.

Realities In Crayon

"If you want to examine the reality of the future of our World, give each child a box of crayons." ~Mensa. B

In a tiny World where beliefs, ideals, sufferings, blessings, optimisms are each carried forward, and contributed by all, it all starts with little hands once holding crayons.

This following site link (while disturbing) was so profound, so heart touching I welcome you to examine it as modality. It was hard for me to believe that a place reserved for innocence could also house such terrifying reality.

While I drew pictures as the one posted, others could never imagine, or know such pictures exist. Visit site here.

ps: Don't stay at reading these for long. Reflect in your heart, and look at more later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post linked w/ Point Five.

Smile Little Button Nose

CARNIVAL OF THE CATS |# 73; See the rest.
Also up: See the Friday Ark #47!

Photographing your cat, can be a bit tricky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yoo-hoo, Butterscotch!
Smile at the camera, in your new summer coat!"
(^_^)


"Smile at the camera Butterscotch."
(Notice the ear)


Chomp-Chomp.. (eating props)
"No, no! Look over here... Pleeease?"


"Good boy, little Button Nose! (^_^)

Returned to Art Studio

[M.B.; Image cropped-05]
Returning late from the trip, as I've just purchased this new painting while away! Photo, here, is significantly cropped (not to mention low-resolution) which combined, do it little justice.

I don't know why, but painters (such as, myself) often are the ones that buy the most Art. (^_^)

In the studio painting today, and feel inspired having found this very up-lifting link from an email (received several months ago.) Hope you enjoy it too. View trailer here.
Have a wonderful Day (or evening) whichever be the case.

Royal Ocean Racing Club

[R.O.Racing Club; UK-05]
UK news | According toISE: 8-10-05- Simon Le Bon had pulled out of Fastnet yacht race again, due to a time conflict. Had he continued with the race, he'd have missed his band's first gig of their tour of Japan on Saturday night." read more.
(They mean, Fri- & also, the race is going slow, for everyone.)
See ROEC (Royal Ocean Racing) results here | Latest: notice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Light blogging, light sailing tomorrow. Early a.m; we set sail off Catalina Isle. ~M.B. (^_^)
ps: I guess we made nationwide news here, today.
~Very lovely link here: CRN yachts.

Traveling Time Again

(^_^) Will try to post, while away. ~M.B.~~~~~~
"Interesting" blog (Ann; Instapundit) has posted: See Eggagog
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adam Shecter definately has his own unique style, in the field of animation: I like these two: The lake and: Mysteries of Love.

Potatoe Crêpes

[Potatoe Crêpes; mb©-05]

CARNIVAL OF RECIPIES #52
~~Potatoe Crêpes~~
Sometimes the most simple recipe, can be the most cherished..

(Serves 6)
1 lb (500g) potatoes
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon (50cl) milk
Generous 1/3 (60g) flour
3 whole eggs plus 4 egg whites
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1- 1/3 cups (300 g) clarified butter
Salt and pepper

How-to:
Peel the potatoes and boil in salted water. Mash them while hot, adding the milk as you do so. Leave to cool, then stir in first the flour, then the eggs one by one and the egg whites (don’t beat them). Last, stir in the cream. Try to stir just enough to make a smooth “batter” about the consistency of a pastry cream.
Add salt and pepper as needed
Heat in frying pan as much clarified butter as you would to cook an omelette. When the butter is quite hot, use a spoon to make little mounds of the potatoe mixture in the pan. The mounds will spread out to make crêpe-like mounds. The crepes should not touch each other while they are cooking.
Cook the crêpes over high heat, turning each one over once. Cook just long enough to brown both sides. Serve them on individual dinner plates or on one large platter. These crêpes are excellent with main entrée, but they can also be sprinkled with sugar and served as desert. (^_^)

Tip: 1. The batter can be prepared up to 24 hours before making the crêpes. (If refrigerated, it should be warmed to room temperature before using.)
Tip: 2. Carefully place plates to warm, prior to serving.

Keeping Watch

[Cpl. Tom Sloan / U.S.M.C.]

"I can't believe I've read an article like this. They should not allow writings about this subject without first, becoming knowledgable about this training process (or dogs for that matter.) Another MSM spoof article, below." ~M.B.

This New York Times article as told by (Borzou Daragahi) a Times Staff Writer
FROM Newsday:
Servants -- and Weapons -- of War
U.S. forces rely on dogs to detect bombs in Iraq. Insurgents rig them with explosives.
August 10, 2005
Read story.
Reference my prior post (with great clip!) here.

Video Game News

In case you didn't know, I linked some video games last week, under "Training Area" & "Sports Section"...( WARNING: Combat)

Read the Pros: and Cons: of the Video Game Industry, in article Hillary vs. the Xbox here.

Flaming Mexican Diver

THE SMOKING SHOW; in Bogotá

[Smoking Show; Bogota, Colombia]
A flaming Mexican diver prepares to dive into a swimming pool at Salitre park in Bogota, Colombia | Photo: smh(au)reu.

"This is definitely taking entertainment way, way, too far." ~M.B.

~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE:
PROMETHEUS STUNT FESTIVAL; in Moscow

AFP | A flaming Pool Diver plunges into a pool at the International Prometheus Stunt Festival in Moscow.

~Stunt Team Daring Dantes (Moscow) See simultaneous animations! here.

~Upcoming events visit the Soviet site.
Join along with the stunt festival, and start a new career! ....(*,,,,*) (hahaha)

Collaboration is Currency

I just came upon this article at permergawomen which may represent a modality in which can aid to transport the promise of the people of the third World. This wonderful article by Emmunah, was constructed around the sharing of an Orange. (^_^)

Pray for Their Democracy

My heart and thoughts go out to the courage of the Kurdistan this morning. Having fortune to befriend a few individuals in Iraq, I realize that each moment for them is crucial.

An excellent account of the current plight of the Kurdistan people can found in this excellent summation, by Pamela at Atlasshrugs.

Project Earth Change

~New research suggests that the coming and going of major ice ages might result partly from our solar system's passage through immense, snakelike clouds of exploding stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Latest research project appears in a recent issue of Astrophysical Journal.
Full story.

~8-8-05| UPI- RIYADH, Saudi Arabia to begin a 20 million dollar cloud seeding project, under the supervision of US experts.
Article here .

~Completed, is the 2 mile fault-zone drilling project, 'San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth,' located where Pacific and North American plates grind along 800 miles through the state, in the world's most seismically active area, Parkerfield, California.
Read more.

Intelligent Design

~ Today | 8-8-05:
Following Science Education Center's rejection of the President's statement, "The theory of intelligent design ought to be taught with evolution in public schools," Pat Buchanan has just posted an excellent article which references intelligent design, and also serves to provide valid questions for Evolutionists.

Even those who blend the idea of evolution with intelligent design will enjoy this read. *Follow-up from my previous post: here.

Financial Thoughts

~ Average Entrepreneur achieves wealth, in an unusual and sweet business. See it here. (Source: Worldnetdaily)

~Want to boost your product sales? Try showing less product & more human face. Mercedes Benz embarks upon a new strategy, "Don't show cars." An interesting article uncovers Mercedes bid to reinvent their image. Read more.
(Source: Eric Pfanner; International Herald Tribune; 8-8-05)

~ To protect your investment portfolio; this in from Swiss America: Free profile indicating which assets will grow during the next oil shock, inquire here. (Source: Swiss America)

Around the Net

~Jay Tea presents a very excellent perspective on the Palestinian Sate, entitled, "Through a mirror, darkly". Read it at Wizbangblog.

~ Mark Stein gives latest perspective on the direction of Tony Blair. As always, an interesting read here.

~ Dana Blankenhorn traces origins of a wholesale distributorship, in an interesting read: The Mystery of Overstock.com.

A Nation Adrift

["A Nation Adrift," DVD-05]
Brand-New Edition, Acclaimed Documentary | by Producer Brian Barkley
"Wow, I just ordered this, and it sounds great. I'll do a little review when it comes in."~M.B. (^_^)
"A Nation Adrift," says producer Brian Barkley, "takes you on a journey -- from Christopher Columbus to Jamestown, from Valley Forge to the Constitutional Convention, from the Civil War to the Industrial Revolution, from the First World War to the Stock Market Crash, from FDR to the present."

"Our journey will give a basic grasp of God's sovereign hand behind the history of our nation, which our founding fathers so clearly understood. The result of this journey will give us a better understanding of where America is today, how she arrived here, and where she must turn at this critical hour."
~Read full review here.
~Purchase the DVD here.

Mont San Cristobal

[Mt. San Cristobal, Spain; AP]
"Oh, no... not the mountains of Northern Spain. These forests are magnificent, and very well taken care of. They claim that this is the driest it has been since first records in 1940's, and have been blaze after blaze, this year." ~M.B.

Journalist Agenda

An important read: "How good is the US media?"
(as posted at the knowledgeable blog-base of antimedia.)
This article sheds light on an important, recent, MM news incident, once again exposing the Journalist Agenda of television media.

For my European-right readers who may be isolated from the ability to discern between trusted news and Journalist's agenda (as found in the USA) go to the antimedia archives , for additional clarity.

NOTE: If you do not see the comments/trackbacks features on this site, may be experiencing temporary difficulty. (^_^)

Intl Passport Fakes

[Bangkok Int'l Airport; NESDB-05]

"We can only hope that this is handled properly." (^_^)

Briton held over 452 fake passports; and may be released
According to: The Guardian | 8-4-05
Bangkok: A Briton has been arrested in Thailand with 452 fake blank European passports in his luggage, as he prepared to board a flight to return to Britain.

Mahieddine Daikh, an Algerian who became a naturalised Briton two years ago, will probably escape punishment unless there is a formal complaint in the next few days from the government of one of the countries affected, Thai and British authorities said.

Mr Daikh was caught on Wednesday while in transit from the southern Thai island of Samui to Amsterdam, from where he was due to fly to Scotland.

Officials found about 200 forged passports from France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal in his hand luggage and 250 from the same countries in his checked-in bags, an immigration chief, General Suwat Thamrongsisakul, said.

"There were 452 altogether," he said. "He told us he bought the passports from a Pakistani man for £3000 ($7000) in Koh Samui and that he would be paid £15,000 when he delivered them to his contact in London. "Of course he can't remember the name of the Pakistani." Read more

Dismantling Terror Cells

"Busy day for terror arrests yesterday." (^_^)

Illegal document ring broken in DC:
According to the: Washington Times | 8-4-05
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents yesterday arrested 16 persons in raids on a suspected counterfeit document ring that operated "open-air markets" in Washington's Adams Morgan neighborhood and in Hyattsville, Md.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman; Mr. Boyd said:
More than 10,000 documents have been seized with an estimated street value of $450,000

Five document "mills" have been shut down as a result of the investigation

159 aliens have been apprehended and 40 have been prosecuted.

Agents discovered and seized phony Social Security cards, laminating machines, typewriters, and more than 20 bags of "documentary evidence" during raids at five locations.

All of those arrested were identified as illegal aliens. Read more.

Jordan Dismantles Two Terror Cells
According to the: United Press International | 8-4-05
AMMAN, Jordan -- Jordanian intelligence have dismantled two terrorist cells, including one affiliated to Abu Musab Zarqawi's al-Qaida Organization in Mesopotamia.

Two Amman dailies, al-Rai and al-Dustour, on Thursday quoted the public prosecutor for the State's Security Court, Maj. Fawwaz Atoum as saying the intelligence department referred to him 17 people belonging to the terrorist cells for interrogation.

He said the second cell is called the Brigades of the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia.

Atoum said the groups planned to attack intelligence officers and foreign officers in Jordan in addition to recruiting people for al-Qaida network and raising funds for the organization.

He said the suspects will be tried by the State Security Court as soon as the indictment is completed. It will include charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks and performing illegal acts that undermine Jordan's relations with a foreign state. Read full story.

A Reader's Photo-Story

[Photo: The Observer ]
"Just received this photo and story from a reader.
Thank you, Christy." (^_^)
Personal account of the story:
"This photograph shows a pregnant red Doberman licking an exhausted fireman. The fireman had rescued her from a fire in her house, by carrying her out and onto her front yard while continuing to fight the fire. He was afraid of her at first as had never been around a Doberman before.

When they finally extinguished the fire, the fireman sat down to catch his breath and rest. A photographer from The Observer, noticed the red Doberman looking at the fireman from a distance. As she began walking straight toward the fireman, the photographer, not knowing what she was going to do, raised his camera. The pregnant Doberman came up to the tired man, who had saved the lives of she and her babies... and kissed him."

UPDATE: A visitor just informed me that this was posted already this morning, by someone who had received this too!
(Small world) I Love it! (^_^)
Here's the address they gave me: 5th Street Truths

~~Chocolat Alexandra~~

[Chocolat Alexandra; mb©-05]

CARNIVAL OF RECIPIES #51
~~Chocolat Alexandra~~
Serve this desert with espresso, for the finish of a perfect meal.

(Serves 8)
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites
Generous 2/3 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1 lb 1-1/2 oz (500 g) semi-sweet cooking chocolate
¾ cup (100g) flour
3 ¼ cups (75 cl) heavy cream, whipped
6 ½ tablespoons (10 cl) rum-flavored sugar syrup
Unsweetened cocoa

How-to:
Make a cake batter as follows: Whisk together the egg yolks and ½ cup granulated sugar until the mixture lightens in color. Sift the flour and gently stir into the mixture. Beat the egg whites until they begin to stiffen, whisk in the remaining sugar, and then fold the egg whites into the egg-yolk mixture. Pour the batter into a buttered and floured cake pan and bake at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) oven until a toothpick stuck into the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven, turn out the cake onto a rack, and allow cooling.
Make a chocolate mousse: Melt the chocolate, and then fold in the whipped cream. The two ingredients should be perfectly mixed to make a smooth mousse.
Cut the cake in half, horizontally, lift off the top, and place the bottom on a serving platter. Brush the bottom with sugar syrup to lightly moisten, then spread one third of the chocolate mousse over it*. Place the top of the cake over the mousse and cover it and the sides with the remaining mousse, Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours. Dust the top of the cake (see photo) with coca before serving. One little frosting (or formed sugar) rose is a nice touch. Enjoy! (^_^)

Tip: 1. Place desert plates in freezer, one hour before, to chill.
Tip: 2. To make additional layers: Cut the cake into 3 instead of 2*

Intelligent VS Darwinism

At a Whitehouse interview yesterday, rebuffed, was a suggestion by our President that the theory of intelligent design ought to be taught with evolution in public schools. See story".
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Critics saw Mr. Bush's comment that "both sides" should be taught as the most troubling aspect of his remarks.
"It sounds like you're being fair, but creationism is a sectarian religious viewpoint," said Susan Spath, a spokeswoman for the National Centre for Science Education. "It's not fair to privilege one religious viewpoint by calling it the other side of evolution."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Intelligent design, advanced by academics and biblical creationists, dispute the idea that natural selection - The force Charles Darwin suggested to have drove evolution - fully explains the complexity of life. Intelligent design proponents say life is so intricate that only a powerful guiding force, or intelligent designer, could have created it.

Global Warming Oddities?

[Teiji Saga; Snowdrift of Swans]
"Almost midnight, & trying to get a daily post in.
This just caught my eye"...
Scientists puzzle over oddities along Pacific coast
CNN | Tuesday, August 2, 2005; Posted: 2:11 p.m. EDT (18:11 GMT)
(Excerpt: "There are strange things happening, but we don't really understand how all the pieces fit together," said Jane Lubchenco, a zoologist and climate change expert at Oregon State University.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Definition of ECOLOGICAL: The totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE:
"While it is true that Mankind has had tendency to dominate without keeping focus to cause, much of that which we are learning, with respect to the scientific progressive and our power to alter his fate, makes continuing scientific research a prerequisite to the way we enforce our environmental laws.

It is my belief, that through the ages mankind has EVOLVED with earth changes. The discovery crew's vantage-point produced a step towards the understanding of mankind's part in the environment. From this journey forward, the magnificence of this voyage will bring forth significant discovery, that we, as lobbyist, lawmakers, etc; just simply cannot fully see.

If we can get beyond personal domination, with respect to the environment, and encourage a commonality towards research, this will lead man from his own futility.” Discovery' view. ~M.B. (^_^)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's what Einstein has to say:
"A human being is part of a whole, called by us the 'Universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." ~Albert Einstein

Electability Problem-plus

re: Article: But Why Can't Hillary Win?
In his Friday, July 29, 2005 article, Jacob Weisberg (Slate.com) compares the "real" Hillary as closer to Howard Dean than Bill Clinton, as she stands at the hawkish, interventionist extreme of her party on foreign policy. Interesting article here.

Dragon Kite in Bangalore

[DH-Photo: by V.K.Rao in Mysore]
Deccan Herald | Mon Aug 1
A champion Kite flying competition held at Chamundi Vihar Stadium in Mysore, Karnataka, on Sunday. Pictured: A beautiful and colorful kite in the shape of a dragon, prepared by V K Rao from Bangalore.