Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Computer Trouble

I had (past-tense -- yea!!) some computer issues, but my blog will back tomorrow.

Sabina ~

Friday, September 26, 2008

Friday's Photos

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Not my usual style, but I was so taken by these beautiful, creative, soft ambient Japanese lights from Kozai Designs.
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Happy Friday!!
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Wonderful Guy

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Have I ever mentioned that I am married to a wonderful guy. It's been 29 years since I first got to know him, and we've been a couple for 24 years (20 of those married) so we know each other inside and out. We've been through many ups and downs, and still I wouldn't want to share my life with anyone else. One of the things I value most about him is he really cares. He cares about our family. He cares about his family. He cares about my family. He cares about a stranger on the street with no home. He shows up -- no matter how big the obstacle. If he's needed, he will find a way to be there. As if that is not enough, he still finds time to show me he cares in the smallest of ways -- which to me are the biggest.
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An example of this was yesterday. I was very busy, and asked if he could pick me up something to eat for lunch, and drop it at home before he went to work, since I was short on time. When I got back to the house, not only did I find wonderful pre-made salmon fillet and rice waiting in the refrigerator, but lots of other goodies all laid out on the counter. Goodies I love -- sour dough bread, blackberries, dark chocolate and my favorite coffee.
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My 19 year old son Christopher came into the kitchen about the same time I found my surprises, and I told him, "This is why I married your father."
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Thursday, September 25, 2008

While We're On The Subject Of Bees

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I love Burt's Bees Lip Gloss/Moisturizer - Raspberry is my personal fav.

Ingredients: vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, beeswax, lanolin, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, flavor, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract.
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Information To Know
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Burt’s Bees, the Natural Products Association and leading personal
care companies have established a Natural Standard and Seal.
The standard requires that all products that carry the seal
contain 95% natural ingredients with minimal processing and
no potential human health risk.
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Shop Naturally – 6 Ingredients to Avoid
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Though the FDA has approved these ingredients for use in personal care products,
they are not allowed in the NPA Natural Standard. Besides, they’re synthetic
chemicals, which should never be in a product called ‘natural’. Carry this list below with
you when you shop; if you see any of these synthetic ingredients on a personal care
product label, think twice before putting it in your cart.
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SodiumLauryl Sulfate - Chemical cleanser
DMDMHydantoin - Chemical preservative
Petrolatum- Non-renewable by-product of crude oil
Parabens - Synthetic preservatives
Oxybenzone - Synthetic sunscreen
Dimethicone - Silicone derivatives
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P.S. There are no more free seeds as the ad below suggests -- With over 50,000 seed packets requested, there was MILLIONS of flowers planted across the country. That's a lot of healthy places for bees to live and thrive.
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Burt's Bees Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), Honey Bees Dying

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Luther Burbank - Bees - and Häagen-Dazs

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“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.”
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Albert Einstein ~
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(Above Photos Copyright - Sept. 23, 2008 - Sabina DeShazo )
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I visited the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens yesterday, and took a few pictures. The famed horticulturist made his home in Santa Rosa -- about 2 miles from my house -- for more than fifty years. There were honey bees buzzing all over the place, and it got me thinking about their recent disappearance from hives all across the United States and beyond.
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Bees are responsible for pollinating plants that provide much of our food; in North America it is believed that 30% of food for human consumption originates from plants pollinated by bees. Honeybees are generally thought of as the most common pollinator, and they are the most widely studied, but bumblebees are the chief pollinators of red clover, alfalfa, field beans, peas, runner beans, tomatoes and in some areas cotton, raspberries, apple, plum blossom, sunflowers, strawberries, currants brambles, etc.
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There's a really cute site over at Häagen-Dazs all about bees. You can even design your own bee (mine is above) and send it out via email. Häagen-Dazs is helping to fund Honey Bee research since they use all-natural ingredients in their products, and have many bee-dependent flavors.
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Death of the Honeybee

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Tagged To Take the Alphabet Quiz

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Alphabet Quiz
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A. Attached or Single? Attached.
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B. Best friend? I have more than one. My mom -- my sister -- and my best friend Karen of 26 years!!
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C. Cake or pie? A tough question...but the answer is cake.
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D. Day of choice? Friday, definitely.
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E. Essential item/items? Lip balm and my camera -- kind of a weird combo.
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F. Favorite color? White and Blue/Gray.
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G. Gummy bears or worms? I don't really like either, but worms -- if I have to choose.
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H. Hometown? Fremont, California, USA.
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I. Favourite indulgence? Lobster/Oysters and Champagne.
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J. January or July? January... July is too hot.
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K. Kids? 5 -- three boys, and two girls.
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L. Life isn’t complete without? Love.
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M. Marriage date? January 30th, 1988.
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N. Number of brothers and sisters? One brother(older), and one sister(younger).
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O. Oranges or apples? Oranges and Apples. I can't choose!!
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P. Phobias? The dark -- although I'm totally a night person.
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Q. Quotes? Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
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R. Reasons to smile? Late night bubble baths.
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S. Season of choice? Autumn and it's here!!
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T. Travel Dreams? The Netherlands and Italy.
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U. Unknown fact about me? I can twirl a baton.
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V. Vegetable? Artichokes and Asparagus.
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W. Worst habit? Caffeine, but I'll never give it up... never I tell you!!
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X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound -- strange question.
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Y. Your favourite food and restaurant? Seafood at Scoma's in Sausalito, Ca.
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Z. Zodiac sign? Pisces.
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Monday, September 22, 2008

Happy Autumnal Equinox

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At the Autumnal Equinox (Sept 22, 2008; 11:44:18 A.M. EDT), the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south; this marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
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I love Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies of the Fall. I have a book filled with these cute little fairies. Each year I tell my kids the story of a fairy family that moves into our attic when the weather begins to turn cold. We whisper when we talk about them -- since we don't want them to know, that we know, about their secret location.
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(Photo Courtesy of Ursi's Eso Garden)
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Happy Autumn/Fall!!
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Friday, September 19, 2008

Friday's Photos

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When I saw the 2003 comedy “Something's Gotta Give” I enjoyed the movie, but was completely taken with the house Diane Keaton's character lived in. Apparently I was not the only one. Here is an excerpt from an article in The Washington Post.
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For lots of moviegoers, the most memorable role (in the film Somethings Gotta Give) was played by the house, especially its big, light-filled kitchen. The airy, shingled Hamptons beach house is walled with windows and built-in bookcases. The rooms are open, the furniture slipcovered and the walls and fabrics awash in creamy blues, whites and tans. The kitchen gleams with white glass-front cabinets, vintage hardware, a commercial-style range and dark soapstone counters. With a backdrop like that, who cares if Keaton and Nicholson find midlife love?
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I couldn't agree more. Some of these photos are from the film and some are attempts at recreating those beautiful rooms.
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Happy Friday!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

"Mommy, Can You Put Me On Your Blog?"

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This is what my six year old daughter asked me the other day. Who am I to resist that adorable request -- so here she is. I took these photos on a recent trip to Tomales Bay, California.
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Caitie is one big ball of happy energy. From the moment she wakes up - demanding her good morning hug -- until the moment she lays her head down at night. She dreams of being " An Artist/Mommy", and also tells me that she is going to adopt all of her children when she grows up. She is very sensitive about this subject matter because she herself is adopted, and proud to say so. I call her "my little surprise package". She is incredibly bright, and wise for her years. Recently, I found a little piece of paper she had been writing on. It said, I love bunnies (note the bunny in her hand in the photos -- she goes no where without "bunny"). I also love my fimmy (family). I love being myself.
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That sums up Caitie nicely.
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XOXOXO Sweetie!! Mommy is so proud of you!!
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Alice Waters - Food Revolutionary

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I get such a kick out of Alice Waters and her passion for food.
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Alice Waters, the founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., is credited with revolutionizing American cooking in the 1970s and '80s. More than any other single figure, she was instrumental in developing New American Cuisine — an adventurous, frequently improvisational use of the finest American ingredients, and a simple and straightforward approach to their preparation.
Through her restaurant and as the author or co-author of many cookbooks, and with dishes like whole baked garlic with white cheese and peasant bread, smoked trout and chervil butter, and ragout of wild mushrooms with veal stock and red wine, Ms. Waters helped change the American palate, inspiring a devotion to seasonal cooking and local organic ingredients. As chefs around the country followed her lead, Chez Panisse, which she had opened to entertain friends, became a shrine to the new style of cooking and a culinary mecca.
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The above text is courtesy of The New York Times (click to see video).
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Alice Waters clip in

Monday, September 15, 2008

Half of Americans Expect Obama to Raise Their Taxes - Let's See If That's True

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ObamaTaxCut.com is a project of AlchemyToday.com and has no relation to the Obama campaign or any other organization whatsoever.
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Friday, September 12, 2008

Friday's Photos

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Gwyneth Paltrow and her rocker husband Chris (Cold Play) Martin's Hampton home is worth
a second look. It was featured in Oct. 2007's Home and Garden Magazine.
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Happy Friday!!!
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A Reality Check - Bill Moyers Journal

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U.S. Department of Labor Facts Sept. 05, 2008
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American unemployment rate is at a five year high.
6.1 % of Americans are unemployed -- that's 9.4 million people without jobs.
2.2 million Americans have lost their job in the last 12 months.
592,000 Americans lost their job in August 2008.
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The following is an excerpt from Bill Moyers PBS show, Bill Moyers Journal.
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50 Million American children went back to school this month. More of them are homeless, and poor enough to need free meals. Mortgage foreclosures are throwing 100's of families out of their homes each month. With fuel and food costs rising - with tax revenues falling - school budgets are in retreat. Detroit for example has laid off 700 teachers. We're not talking about a few isolated places -- this is nationwide. Across the country schools are shortening the school week --eliminating or cutting bus services altogether. Canceling field trips, and hiking the prices of cafeteria lunches.
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The whereabouts of Vice President Cheney -- he is in Central Asia -- the crossroads for oil in the Caspian Sea. No sooner had he landed in one of the former Soviet Republics -- he met with two giant oil companies - B.P. and Chevron.
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Meanwhile back in Washington -- the Bush Administration was announcing an increase in American aide to Georgia by more than fifteen hundred percent. That is from sixty four million this year -- to one billion next year. You can only wonder how many American kids that money could put back on the buses -- back in the class -- and back in line at the cafeteria.
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Thank you Bill Moyers for your amazing, insightful news program!!!
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Fall Is Almost Here

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I go a little crazy this time of year in anticipation of my favorite season - Autumn. Soon my cooking hormones will go into overdrive. The weather will finally begin to change - as will the colors outside. My family loves when this mood overtakes me. Soon they will begin to line up waiting for butternut, and acorn squash soups -- apple pies, tarts, and pumpkin bread. Of course this means I'll have to make a trip to my favorite culinary store - Sur La Table - to get a few things, and coincidentally the new catalogue has just arrived.
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By the way Sur La Table also has a new baking blog - The Art and Soul of Baking.
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The Perfect Peeler™ by Kyocera®
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Zirconium oxide blade (close in hardness to diamond) stays sharp 10 times longer than steel blades and is ideal for peeling any vegetable. Rust-proof blade adjusts angle from vertical to horizontal for optimal control and flexibility. Lightweight handle. Fits all hands, left or right; easy to clean.
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Antiqued Green Italian Ceramic Tureen
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Gently antiqued and beautifully formed, this vibrant green serving piece is an elegant addition to your table. The versatile tureen is perfect for soups and more. Dishwasher safe.
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Antique White Collection Covered Tureen
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Vintage-look ceramics with distressed edges and scallop detailing. Dishwasher safe.
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Breville® Cordless Immersion Blender
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Here’s a handy to way make your favorite smoothies or soups. Features dual-speed NiMH-battery-powered motor for effortless operation. Smoothie whisk is designed with two unique aerating ovals for perfect consistency. Breville Assist Plug™ features finger hole for safe and effortless removal from the outlet. Safety feature requires both buttons be pushed for operation. Chopping attachment handles foods like onions and parsley with ease. Also includes a 1¼-liter mixing jar. Parts are top-shelf dishwasher safe.
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The Butter Bell® Crock by L. Tremain
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The French traditionally store their butter without refrigeration, yet they manage to keep it fresh. This earthenware crock lets you store and serve butter outside of refrigeration without odors or spoilage. Simply fill the base with cold water, and the ceramic container will keep butter fresh and spreadable for up to 30 days, even in the warmest weather.
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Le Creuset® Stoneware Pitchers
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Glossy stoneware pitcher pours hot or cold beverages—and looks great doing it. Crafted of virtually non-porous stoneware that’s fired at 2156°F for unmatched strength and durability. Resists chips, cracks and scratches. Hardy glaze won’t absorb odors, stains or moisture. Dishwasher safe.
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