What kind of eggs are you?

You Are a Hard Boiled Egg

You are down to earth and hard to rattle. You have a good head on your shoulders. You can be a bit stubborn at times, and your determination has only paid off for you. You are straight with people, and you expect them to be straight with you in return. You are very no nonsense. You don't have time for pettiness or drama.

What Kind of Eggs Are You?

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds

For Mary T

see more Lol Celebs

Mary T at Work of the Poet recently posted the "Make 'em laugh" dance scene from Singin' in the Rain as a tribute to Donald O'Connor and Gene Kelly. In one of those coincidences of timing, I stumbled upon this image at LOLCelebs this morning.

Ruby Tuesday

Lobsterscape from Dad's birthday bash.

Mary T hosts Ruby hosts Ruby Tuesday, a weekly photo meme. Check out the other rubies here.

What's your primary mood color?

Your Primary Mood Color is Blue

You are a sensitive and reflective person. You have a good intuition for emotions. You can sense what people are feeling and even sometimes what they are thinking. You communicate well, and you're also a good listener. You cherish your friends, and every word they say is important to you. You are always there for the people you love, and you expect the same in return. You crave deep connection and understanding.

What's Your Primary Mood Color?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Pink Saturday on Monday

Better late than never?

Unconscious Mutterings: Week 348

1. What pleases you? :: Many things
2. Whatever :: you say
3. Chime :: ring
4. Pleading :: begging
5. Simulate :: fake
6. Flashing :: lights
7. Directional :: signal
8. Pink :: and pretty
9. Access :: Hollywood
10. Ugly :: gross

see more Mutterings here.

What decade are you?

You Are the 1990s

You are a honest, down to earth, and somewhat sarcastic person. You don't front. You appreciate the cynical days of the 1990s, when irony was king. You're somewhat skeptical and mocking of the mainstream. You tend to embrace alternative culture instead. You are open minded and accepting. You don't judge people as long as they're real with you.

What Decade Are You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

What kind of rock are you?

You Are Classic Rock

You are a pretty average American guy or gal, even if you don't live in the US. You like music that's basic, honest, and real. The best songs don't have a lot to them. You consider yourself to be pretty normal. You work for a living and put your pants on one leg at a time. You love songs that stand the test of time. You don't fall victim to musical trends.

What Kind of Rock Are You?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

The Autumn Leaf Test

You Are Peaceful and Passive

You are an accommodating, diplomatic person. You know there is good and evil in everyone. You try to live with things as they are. You know there's a lot in this world that you can't change, and you're fine with that. You are a supportive and honest person. You expect people to accept you just as you accept them. You are willing to take time and let things unfold. You are never in a rush.

The Autumn Leaf Test

Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!

Book review: The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford

image: coverbrowser.com

This"slim little volume" is the story of how Dickens' A Christmas Carol changed Dickens' life and its impact on his society. It's an interesting read, well-organized and thought-out.

Although it plods a little in the first section, recounting Dickens' early history and literary successes and failure, the narrative picks up once A Christmas Carol is published. The descriptions of the public's reaction to A Christmas Carol are immediate. The enthusiasm pulls you along with it and brings a little of the holiday into your moment.

It's a story filled with ups and downs. In fact, the story of Dickens' life ends on something of a down note. Standiford's attempt to close on an up-lift falls short of Dickens' turn of phrase, but is well-intentioned.

All together, I'd call it a charming and worthwhile read.

Purple photo passion: Week 20

to play along, just put a link to your post in the comments.

enviro-mental: Inspired Wednesday

Desire to Inspire consistently posts terrific decor ideas. Here are some of my favorites

From her 9/16 post, Vintage Victorian

The mural is amazing!

What does your part say about you?

Your Unpredictable Part Says You're Experimental and Rebellious

You're the type of person who likes to shake things up. It's easy for you to become bored. You like to be spontaneous. You prefer to lead a very exciting, fast moving life. You are outspoken and bold. Your opinions change frequently, and you never have any problem expressing them. Your wild ways always have people guessing, and that's fine by you. You really don't care what others think.

What Does Your Part Say About You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Ruby Tuesday

Little red school house at Hoyt Farm, Smithtown, NY

MaryT hosts Ruby Tuesday, a weekly photo meme. Check out other participants here.

Monday Movie Meme

The Bumbles host a weekly movie meme. This week's movie topic is all about Your Childhood Favorite...

I was 12 when the original Star Wars came out, and I fell hard for the world that George Lucas created. That summer and the following school year, a close group of friends and I lived Star Wars, quite literally. In a time where Dungeons and Dragons was all the rage, we had spaceships and wookiees. We took our fandom seriously.

We wrote stories, and acted out scenes, and generally found ways to relate most of our waking moments to the movie in some way. It was fun escapism, and where I first began to write for pleasure. Of course, children are fickle and we all found something else to be interested in by January of the following year.

But Lucas is no fool. He gave us The Empire Strikes Back - the best of the series, in my opinion, and three years after that, Return of the Jedi. By Jedi, my love for Star Wars was nostalgic. Although I admit to being caught up in the pre-Prequel enthusiasm, and the post EI letdown, I felt a distinct sadness when the last of the prequels was over. No more movies. No more chances for Lucas to redeem himself of the prequels and bring back the Star Wars we purists love.

Even though it's been *gasp* four years since the last of the prequels, my love of Star Wars hasn't been sublimated this time. It still peeks out every week in my Feel the Force Friday posts.

W@@T! Glee is picked up for a full season

TV Guide reports that Glee was picked up for a full season, adding nine episodes to the 13 originally purchased. If you haven't yet seen this adorable show, it's well worth a watch.

The inkblot test

You Are Driven and Focused

You view people with optimism. You have many meaningful relationships in your life. You had more conflict with your father than your mother. Your relationship with him was healthy but challenging. You deal with stress in an effective and competent matter. You are able to remain calm. You are the type of person who knows how to get a lot done. However, sometimes you can't help but get overwhelmed by life.

The Inkblot Test

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Mellow Yellow Monday

This handsome fellow was showing off his plumage at the Johnston Apple Festival on Saturday.

Drowsey Monkey hosts Mellow Yellow Monday, a weekly photo meme. Check out the other participants here.

Unconscious Mutterings: Week 347

Disconnect :: out of touch
Contribute :: give
Dismay :: confusion
Constant :: contact
Nails :: bite
Vibrate :: ring
Therapy :: intensive
Stupid :: ass
Poo :: stain
Commune :: kibbutz

see more Mutterings here.

The Chair Test

You Are Sophisticated and Well Mannered

You're the type of person who can sit all day entertaining guests with witty banter. You believe in presenting yourself in the best light possible. You like to be seen as classy. You give a first impression of being upper class and even a bit snooty. And you're the first to admit you're a little guilty of that. You are an armchair critic. You can detect quality easily, and you want the best things you can find.

The Chair Test

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Pink Saturday

Out driving the other day and saw this house with a hot pink door and matching flowers on the porch.

Round robin photo challenge: chicken

see more Robins here.

What sign should you be with?

You Should Be With an Earth Sign

Your best match is a Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn. You like your sweetie to pamper, wine, and dine you. You enjoy the finer things. An earth sign will go all out to woo you - and never complain about doing it. Your earth sign knows how to make you feel wanted. And you'll never meet anyone so devoted to you.

What Sign Should You Be With?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Feel the Force Friday

Your moment of Zen, via /film

Dagobah-themed frog habitat, via /film

A post from ListVerse: 12 facts about Star Wars you probably didn't know. I knew most of them, but some neat photos.

Are you North, South, East or West?

You Are West

Like an American, you are an innovative, free-spirit. You tend to do your own thing, especially if no one has done it before. People admire that you are creative and a visionary. You come up with all sorts of ideas, and you're never afraid of failure. Sometimes you come across as wild to the point of being careless. You are a rule-breaker who borders on dangerous. You make a great artist. No matter what you do in life, it's your personal expression of who you are.

Are You North, South, East, or West?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

In memoriam: Mary Travers

photo: AllPosters

CNN reports that Mary Travers, the "Mary" of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, has died following bone marrow treatment for leukemia. She was 72.

I grew up on folk music, and Peter, Paul and Mary were a big part of it. One of my earlier musical memories is their song, "Lemon Tree."

Movie review: Sunshine Cleaning

The darling of Cannes, Sunshine Cleaning tells the story of Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams). Rose's young son is constantly in trouble at school. When the principal insists on sending the boy to special education classes, Rose determines to get him into private school. The problem is, her salary as a maid doesn't allow for such luxuries. Desperate to earn extra cash, she starts cleaning up crime scenes.

In the meantime, her progress is thwarted by her slacker sister Norah (Emily Blunt) and her father (Alan Arkin), who has a new get-rich-quick scheme every week.

It's an interesting story, and Adams plays her part well. Both sisters have some growing up to do, and we gain some real insights into them as the movie progresses. I enjoyed watching it, and might watch it again to catch some nuances.

Recommended.

Disney announces The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made

photo: /film

/film reports that the Walt Disney Company has announced a new Muppet movie in the works. There's some question as to the plotline, but who cares? I'll be there.

enviro-mental: CD jewel cases as art frames

photo: Re-Nest

Another cool idea from Re-Nest. As you're discarding your empty jewel cases, put them to creative re-use by framing artwork in them to hang as a "mosaic" on your wall.

Dorcas Place wins national literacy award

Projo reports that Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center has won the National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award for its success in helping adults to literacy and self-sufficiency. Nice to hear some good news.

Ian Somerhalder is returning to LOST!

photo: fusedfilm

Entertainment Weekly reports that Ian Somerhalder (Boone) is returning to LOST for its final season. Boone, fans will remember, was killed in the first season and made a brief appearance in the second.

For my part, he's been sorely missed. I liked Boone, a genuinely decent guy with family issues, who really wanted to pitch in and be part of the team, but just wasn't particularly good at survivalism. I'll be glad to see him again.

Shake, rattle control

photo: Re-Nest

Re-Nest shares this really neat remote control. It doesn't need batteries, just shake it to get the power going. A magnet inside provides the necessary power.

enviro-mental: Inspired Wednesdays

Desire to Inspire posts the most amazing decorating photos!

These are from her post titled Julien Oppenheim:
I'm such a fan of the rustic look right now, pairing white or near-white with wood tones, plaster and rugged, worn furniture. These are beautiful examples.

Below is a shot from her post titled Caryn Grossman.

I love the use of textures and mix of styles here, as well as the color that the flowers add to the scene.

New children's book about Waterfire

photo: ProJo.com

Projo reports about a new book being unveiled at Waterfire this weekend. The story of a little brown duck who makes his way from the Rhode Island beaches to the Waterfire celebration in Providence. This sounds like a neat book; one I'd like to get for my grandchildren.

book of seasons: Nan's Christmas Tree

Nan's Christmas tree
Originally uploaded by boliyou.

Christmas 2008 at Nan and Dann's house with Hilary, Angel and kids, grandbabies and Nana.

book of seasons: The Chanukkah Song by Adam Sandler

book of seasons: The Chrismas tree I wanted this year

photos via Mental Floss

I tried so hard to describe the tree to the Bear, but she didn't have a frame of reference. "It's thin," I told her, "with blank spaces in the middle and branches that come out on levels every few inches. Cue the blank stare.

Well, this is pretty much what I had in mind. I had seen the first picture years ago, but couldn't find it until this morning, when I discovered in on Mental Floss. They also had a more modern version, called a "feather tree." Not quite the same, but close.

This year we used our artificial tree again. Maybe next year.

book of seasons: A brief history of Thanksgiving

clipped from www.mentalfloss.com

Mental Floss has a nice, brief history of the first Thanksgiving, including a few of the foods that were served at that first festival (which was three days long).

There were no pumpkin pies or cranberry sauce, no sweet or white potatoes. Yes, there was turkey, but there was also venison, swans, ducks, partridges and seafood including lobsters, clams and eel. The vegetables were usually stewed: squash (including pumpkins - a new treat for the Pilgrims) onions, beans, peas and carrots. There was no sugar available, so they satisfied their sweet tooth with corn pudding and dried berries.

All this was cooked primarily by the nine surviving females: four married women and five adolescent girls. Fire roasting (such as venison) was handled by the men.

Water at the time could easily be contaminated, so the Pilgrims and their Native American guests drank beer and occasionally goat's milk. No cows at that time, either.

There are some good links to authentic recipes and more history, too.

Link

book of seasons: A Playmobil Christmas

clipped from store.playmobilusa.com clipped from store.playmobilusa.com clipped from store.playmobilusa.com

I love Playmobil. You can have your Fisher Price and Lego people, for me, the Playmobil sets are the best.

They have an adorable nativity set, that contains my one deal-breaker feature: baby Jesus comes out of the manger.

In our house, Jesus doesn't go into the manger until Christmas Eve (Santa puts him there, because Santa "gets" the meaning of the season). Therefore, Jesus must come out of the manger.

They also have wonderfully charming Christmas scenes, and three different types of advent calendars (my favorite is the Christmas in the Park)

Link

book of seasons: January chores

• Fix leaky faucets and fixtures
• Inspect the water heater for signs of trouble; drain sediment from the tank until the water runs clear
• Check the temperature of the hot water heater and if necessary, lower the setting to 120deg.
• Pour a glass of water into the basement floor drains and infrequently used sink drains to ensure there is sufficient water in the trap to prevent sewer gas from entering the house.
• Recycle old magazines, flyers and mail order catalogs. Sort the rest
• Cull piles of photos - separate the good, the bad and the ugly. Share duplicates with friends and family. Set aside the rest for now.
• Go through CDs, videos, books. Create piles for keepers, loaners, donation and resale.
• Paw through stacks of games and toys; collect missing pieces and put them in the appropriate boxes. Create stacks to donate, toss, store elsewhere and put in the family room. Donate the ones you can't use.
• Start an inventory list of model and serial numbers for your TV, stereo, DVD player, etc. for homeowner's insurance.
• Vacuum and clean floor, walls, bookshelves, entertainment centers, windowsills, miniblinds and ceiling fans.
• Dry clean or launder drapes, throws and area rugs. If possible switch sides when rehanging drapes to minimize sun damage.
• Spot-clean sofas, vacuum cushions and sofa base, flip and rotate cushions, dig down the sides for lost coins, etc.
• Designate a spot for remotes.
• Designate a spot for library and returnable items. Calendar due dates.
• Institute a weekly five-minute cleanup with family to keep things moving toward their designated spaces.
• Take a picture or video of the room to keep with your home inventory list.
• Begin an exercise program.
• Monthly breast self-exam
• Calculate your net worth
• Re-evaluate budget and savings plan
• Organize tax receipts
• Paint interiors
• Get bids for major repairs and start scheduling
• Have car's fluid levels checked.

book of seasons: Behold the beauty of Ukranian pysanki

Plural for pysanka, the Ukranian decorated Easter eggs are painstaking works art, colorful, symbolic and beautiful.

Learn more at Roy's Pysanki page.

clipped from www.johnstons.org