Just Some Random You Tube Singer Dude

Ok. I saw this link on another blog, went to check out the vid, cuz I can, and BLAMMO! He's good. Go listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho8Jj7D7Ta0&feature=channel_page

Enjoy.

Aloha Friday-What 3 things have you or would like to accomplish today?

1. I talked Ben into washing the few dishes that were on the counter (yay!)

2. I have a child's birthday party to take my nephew to - we will accompany him while they all play mini golf at a local bowling alley. Fun!

3. I'd like to book at least one more candle party for February. It's my last probationary month, and I will be making a bit more in terms of commission plus I will get a ton of bonus things. I'm thinking of adding a huge amount of special items for hostesses who book a party to be held in February - extra half-price items, free gifts and more.

Here's the link to An Island Life where all the other Aloha Friday participants links are.

Would You Like Some Mercury With Your...

High Fructose Corn Syrup.

I know one person, in particular, who will agree with me that HFCS should be avoided - for many reasons.

For all you other people, here's one GOOD reason: HFCS contains mercury. Not good.

Go here to read more. Thanks to Crunchy Domestic Goddess for writing the article so I didn't have to.

Wordless Wednesday

Handmade Toys

You may have noticed a new banner at the top centre of my blog.

Check out this link for more info:

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

There is proposed legislation that will make all handmade toys ILLEGAL in the US (unless they can do a bunch of super-expensive testing) You may think, "I live in Canada! This won't affect me!"

Au contraire, my friends. You see, if these businesses can't sell their product in the US, they'll go OUT of business. Get it? In addition, any of you who may BE a business owner will lose all of your American customers. Not good.

And when I say businesses, I mean all those Etsy shop owners, eBay stores, the micro-businesses that serve small customer bases as well as the larger businesses.

This legislation covers all second-hand items including books, toys, and more. All these items will be junked. And it will be illegal to possess them. See the ramifications?

Go to the link to see how you can help.

Environmental Links Installment # 1

I've had a few people asking me which environmentally/ecology-minded sites I cruise. Who knew I had so many? Here is a list.

Environmental Working Group at http://www.ewg.org/

Raising Chickens? Backyard Chickens site: http://www.backyardchickens.com/

Composting/Vermicomposting/Bokashi Bin info:

http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Recycling_and_Composting/Compost_at_home.htm

http://gorilla.mcgill.ca/howtocompost.htm

http://www.cathyscomposters.com/

http://www.greatday.ca/

Tree Hugger - a great resource. http://www.treehugger.com/

How to Make a Rainbarrel: http://www.ehow.com/how_2070724_best-rain-barrel.html

letterfu - a template for printing out the writing paper and envelope, using only one piece of paper. No envelope, cutting, or glue required. Awesome! http://www.letterfu.com/designs.php

Food Preservation info (making and preserving your own food saves the environment and supports local farmers!

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/

http://www.pickyourown.org/

http://www.freshpreserving.com/pages/home/1.php

Food Safety http://www.cspinet.org/canada/

The Green Geek http://www.greengeek.ca/

Build It Solar - a GREAT site that shows you how to cut your energy bills in HALF using all different methods. Also a resource for building solar stuff.
http://www.builditsolar.com/References/Half/Half.htm

Green living in general:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/

Ck's Weblog http://ckweblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/go-green/

Big Green Purse - a site specifically for eco-minded women: http://www.biggreenpurse.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=41

Green Living online magazine http://www.greenlivingonline.com/

Green Home online community http://greenhome.huddler.com/

Kiwi mag: a magazine for raising kids naturally and organically. http://www.kiwimagonline.com/


Enjoy!

History is Being Made

As I write this, I'm sitting in my livingroom watching history being made. On my television is the procession of dignitaries and their wives. We've just watched George Dubbyah come out.

We'll be watching the Inauguration speech and everything that comes with it.

Where are YOU?

Interesting Links for the Day

I've been cruising the web for the last little while, randomly clicking on links in the blogs I read. Here are some noteworthy links from today (and some from my list of faves):

1) For those of us who are wishing for summer...here are 32 fabulous recipes for making ice pops/popsicles/whatever you call them.
http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/homemade-popsicles-recipes/

2) Are you a crafty person? Have a bunch of jeans too worn out/too favoured to donate? Here's a way to turn those jeans/jean jackets/jean skirts into something you'll have forever! http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/01/17/diy-denim-sew-your-own-gorgeous-denim-quilt/

3) Homeschooling? Here's a link for a bunch of homeschooling resources.
http://donnayoung.org/index.htm

4) Lots of breastmilk in the freezer about to expire? Have some in the fridge that's too old to feed your babe? Make soap!
http://traditionalmidwife.com/mothersmilksoap.html

5) Collect pillowcases? Here's something to do with them, other than their original purpose: make aprons!
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=123434.0

6) Build it Solar, a great website for making solar ovens, stills, food dryers...plus tons of links for other great eco-friendly projects.
http://www.builditsolar.com/index.htm

7) Pattern for an "Easy Softie Ball" for those of you who like to make toys for your young ones.
http://www.quex.frih.net/diagrams/pentaball.pdf

That's it for now, I'll save some of my other faves for a different day.

Would anyone like me to make this a regular post topic? Say, once a month or something? Let me know.

Have a great week!

Blog Game: My Favourite "A" Things

Hmm, this is a good one, thanks to Dewey's Treehouse!

My favourite "A" things:

1. Asparagus. Yes, I love asparagus, especially tossed in olive oil and lemon then sprinkled with salt and pepper then grilled on my barbie. Yum.

2. Animals-all kinds

3. Athens - although I haven't been there, I still love it and think it would be amazing to go there!

4. Aurora Borealis, but I haven't seen it in a while

This is harder than I thought!

5. Aardvarks, because they have a cool name.

6. Abbot and Costello

7. Amazon.ca

8. Artichokes! Thanks to my neighbour Susan, who introduced me to steamed artichokes this summer...dipped in butter...mmmm artichokes

9. Absinthe. Thanks Chad.


Well, I think I need to think some more on this.

For those who'd like to participate, your letter is...."P". Have fun.

The Human Conductor

Yes, it IS a touch lamp...

Ornament Exchange Disappointment

Well, this year was the first year I participated in an Ornament Exchange over on An Island Life and it may be my last. I carefully chose a favourite handmade ornament that I've had for a few years now and mailed it off the first week of December to my assigned partner, Kristina from MamaDivas in New York.

I didn't get one in return.

That's lame.

Talk about either seeing a chance to rip someone off, or, almost as bad, being terminally lazy. I don't care HOW busy you are, if you sign up for an CHRISTMAS ornament exchange, and you have the person's address in plenty of time to get it to them (which she certainly did), then you damn well DO IT! And if time got away from you, and perhaps you're feeling bad because you know you didn't get it to the person in time, you don't just pretend that you haven't completely screwed up and forget the whole mess-you still send the bloody thing!

My last contact with her was December 11, when she responded to my email when I asked her if she had gotten hers. She replied that she hadn't sent it yet but would let me know when she got hers, and when she had mailed mine out. I haven't heard anything since, even though I've sent one asking what has happened.

I'm sure there are valid reasons why someone wouldn't be able to participate, but barring an email letting me know what has happened I will assume I have been let down.

My faith in people has been disappointed, yet again.