It's Christmastime

With all the Christmas music playing in the stores, why not try a new rendition of classics this season.  Michael Buble is SO talented and he is teaming up with some amazing vocal talent in this years newest Christmas album.  ENJOY!

Procrastination

This is just SO true and if I had more time, I would tell you why.  That will have to wait until another day.

Enjoy this "Tale of Mere Existence".

Cannonball's!

I know you all have done a cannonball in a swimming pool but this genius took it up a notch.

Sometimes there is just no words to define, well, stupid.  Don't try this at home, please. Yikes.

Old Butch

John was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred young layers (hens), called 'pullets,' and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs. He kept records, and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced. This took a lot of time, so he bought some tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each bell had a different tone, so he could tell from a distance, which rooster was performing. Now, he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

John's favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen, but this morning he noticed old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all! When he went to investigate, he saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover. To John's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one.

John was so proud of old Butch, he entered him in the Saint Lawrence County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the "No Bell Piece Prize," but they also awarded him the "Pulletsurprise" as well.

The Dress Code

An Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman, a Welshman, a Latvian, a Turk, a German, an Indian, several Americans (including a Hawaiian and an Alaskan), an Argentinean, a Dane, an Australian, a Slovak, an Egyptian, a Japanese, a Moroccan, a Frenchman, a New Zealander, a Spaniard, a Russian, a Guatemalan, a Colombian, a Pakistani, a Malaysian, a Croatian, a Uzbek, a Cypriot, a Pole, a Lithuanian, a Chinese, a Sri Lankan, a Lebanese, a Cayman Islander, a Ugandan, a Vietnamese, a Korean, a Uruguayan, a Czech, an Icelander, a Mexican, a Finn, a Honduran, a Panamanian, an Andorran, an Israeli, a Venezuelan, an Iranian, a Fijian, a Peruvian, an Estonian, a Syrian, a Brazilian, a Portuguese, a Liechtensteiner, a Mongolian, a Hungarian, a Canadian, a Moldovan, a Haitian, a Norfolk Islander, a Macedonian, a Bolivian, a Cook Islander, a Tajikistani, a Samoan, an Armenian, an Aruban, an Albanian, a Greenlander, a Micronesian, a Virgin Islander,

a Georgian, a Bahaman, a Belarusian, a Cuban, a Tongan, a Cambodian, a Qatari, an Azerbaijani, a Romanian, a Chilean, a Jamaican, a Filipino, a Ukrainian, a Dutchman, a Ecuadorian, a Costa Rican, a Swede, a Bulgarian, a Serb, a Swiss, a Greek, a Belgian, a Singaporean, an Italian, a Norwegian and 2 Africans... 

walk into a very fine restaurant.

"I'm sorry," says the maître d', after scrutinizing the group...

"You can't come in here without a Thai. "

George Steinmetz

George Steinmetz took this photograph for National Geographic.  This could be one of the best photographs for 2011.  Look closely as you may be surprised what exactly you are focused on.

This shot was taken at sunset and if you look closely you will see dark lines or spots under the "camels". What you think are camels are really shadows and what are dark lines are really the camels.  Amazing what perspective will do for you!

Since his first assignment for National Geographic in 1987, Steinmetz has completed more than 20 major essays for the magazine, including three covers.

Born in Beverly Hills, California, in 1957, Steinmetz graduated from Stanford University with a degree in geophysics. He began his career in photography by hitchhiking through Africa for 18 months. Today he lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and their three children.

To hear him in is own words and learn more about this photo go to this link on National Geographic.

Synchronized Gymnastics

This was simply beautiful to watch and really incredible too.  I didn't even know there was an event called synchronized gymnastics but then again, I'm not surprised.  Amazingly talented people with great disciple and skill.  ENJOY!

Silhouette Dancing

This was an incredibly original dance, done by an amazing cast of dancers who are from the Denver, Colorado area and they call themselves the Silhouette's.

The song they danced to was by Kirk Franklin (a Christian artist) called Imagine.  I know a woman who used to be a BGV (background vocal) for his tour so this was kind of cool to hear his song in this piece.

Enjoy this very original dance!  It is like something you have never seen!

Amazing Juggler

This is an amazing juggler who will juggle to the Beatles song by feeling the beat while he tosses the balls. When the song builds, he builds.  When the song slows, he slows.  Really amazing!

I was exhausted just watching this!

Muppets "Mana Mana Song"

Totally random today.  Someone asked me about liking the Muppets and favorite songs and then one thing led to another and I found myself listening to songs from my childhood.  Here is the CLASSIC song by the Muppets, "Mana Mana Song".  It didn't get much better than this.  In a day before Seinfeld and his meaningless show there were the Muppets.  Jim Henson could have been the founder of the meaningless show!  ENJOY!

Rain Sound by Clapping

Loved this!  What an incredibly creative idea and I loved how they interpreted the sound of rain.

The second link is the same as above except it goes on to present the whole song done by this choir.  VERY creative and incredible to interpretation.  Perpetual Jazzile is the name of this group and the song is Africa.

Royal Wedding Spoof

In light of ALL the hype, pomp and circumstance of the upcoming royal nuptials I found this link and thought it was worth sharing as it spoofs the upcoming royal wedding.

Normally I would be the first to highly congratulate a couple for their decision to commit their lives together before God and man but this event is a bit over-the-top.  One reason is that of course, it is a royal wedding and the future heir to the throne should come from this relationship but what is troubling is that they have lived together for many years already and it seems a bit ridiculous to me for the "leader" of the church (the King or Queen of England) to have chosen to live is such disregard of the Holy Book (the Bible) he will be responsible to uphold.  Now I am not saying I am looking for perfection from a monarch or from anyone but CHOOSING to live this lifestyle was not an accident or an incidental, it was clearly a choice and seems a bit odd in the least.

I pray they will love each other dearly and have a great marriage.  She is adorable and her life is about to be thrown to the press and I pray they will make it.

to "86" something...

So today, a friend posted to her Facebook wall a link and then posted to "86" a certain part of the post.  Well, this caused my mind to wonder and you know where that went...to further investigation.  I was challenged to understand this "strange" term, it's meanings and more importantly, it's origin.  Well, did I find a PLETHORA of information.  Seems there is NO consensus on WHERE this actually originated but there sure are a lot of opinions on the matter.  I thought I would share some of the highlights with you here!

First off, this is an American Expression (British people are not prone to this vernacular).  So, to start this discussion we have to get a few things right...it really is NOT ok to say, "eight-six" it is correct to say "eighty-six".  I know there are a few who think it is ok to use 8-6 in their vocabulary but it simply is NOT from what I have found to be true in my limited investigation on the matter.  86 is the term and that is the way is should be used....eighty-six!

Vague terms:
It can mean to simply get rid of something, toss it. "I'm about to 86 this piece of junk..." or someone...like firing from a job, "they 86'd me!"  Webster's suggests it was probably rhyming slang for 'nix and it first appeared in 1967 slang: to refuse to serve (a customer); also: to get rid of: THROW OUT.

In a Restaurant:

• In the kitchen when they are out of an item an announcement could be shouted, "86 on the Key Lime Pie".  This would mean that there is no more Key Lime pie for the day.
• The waiter may come to the customer and say, "The soup of the day is 86'd.  We're out."
• A fair amount of people believe the origin came from the days of the soda fountain.  86 was the password indicating they were out of an item as they had 85 flavors available.
• Some same 98 was used as code to say "the manager" was on the prowl so watch yourself!
• Another popular explanation comes from the New York City restaurant called Delmonico's.  This was a very popular place and one of their most popular items was the steak on the menu, and you guessed it, it was item 86 on their menu.  Because the steak was often sold out it became shorthand for being out of an item.
• I read that it really was originated with the soup kitchens and breadlines of the Great Depression.  The standard cauldron would hold 85 cups of soup so that the person who was 86 would get no soup!
• There is also the tale about the famous New York City restaurant called 21.  It seems that they had 85 tables here to seat patrons so when someone "undesirable" came to get a table, they would tell them they would be sent to the 86th one...which of course did not exist!

In the Bar:

• A bartender can "86" someone out of the bar because they have already had too much to drink.
• It could be said to not sell to that customer, "86 the guy in the booth".
• Interesting on this topic of bars, the New York State Liquor Code defines the circumstances in which a bar patron should be refused alcohol or, you guessed it, "86'ed".
• One of the most popular origins for this expression come from Chumley's (a famous 1900's New York speakeasy located at 86 Bedford St.)  During Prohibition, the entrance through an interior adjoining courtyard was used; for it was both discreet and private.  As per the New York tradition, cops were on Chumley's payroll and when they were about to raid the joint, they would call ahead.  The bartender would then give the command "86 everybody," which meant that everyone was to leave out the Bedford Street entrance because the cops would be coming in through the courtyard!  To this day there today at the same location with still no sign and entrance through the courtyard.
• Can't have an explanation without a cowboy tale, now can we?  Seems some take this expression way back to the Old West when most whiskey was 100 proof; they reserved bottles of 86 proof for the ladies.  Now if a cowboy got too rowdy, he would get the 86 proof served to him and this was considered in the least embarrassing so he would usually leave.

Still Other Ideas:

• Some think is has to do with a grave as they were dug 6 feet deep by 8 feet long therefore the item put in there would be dead or 86'd.  (This seems to not be a reason I would gravitate toward because I would think you would read this 8-6 and not 86'ed as we have established earlier!)
• How about this one...the streetcar line that operated on First Avenue on the east side of Manhattan ran from 14th Street to 86th.  As the Northbound car came to a stop, the motorman called out, "Eight-six.  End of the line.  All out!"
• The British merchant shipping standard crew was 85, so the 86'th would be left out.  (Again, this conflicts with above information as this was not a British slang from my readings!)
• Soldiers in America often refer to their missing soldier buddies as 86'd.  The missing in action (MIA'S) would be 86'd as this was being AWOL and in violation of the code from the UCMJ Sub Chapter X Article 86.
• One of the last reasons I found for this slang had to do with "offing" someone with the roots having to do with military action.  Another location said that it was not with the military but with the Mafia!  They would travel the distance of 86 miles out and 6 feet under meaning when a person was killed by the mafia they would be forced to dig his own grave many miles away from civilization; or the possibility of a simple variation of the slang term deep six which as the identical meaning.  It is simply meant to describe the approximate depth of water (6 fathers, 11 meters) needed for a burial at sea.  The term came into popular use among soldiers and veterans to describe missing solders then as 86's (see above).
• Finally, in you have ever seen the movie An Affair to Remember or Sleepless in Seattle you would be familiar with the scene where they are to meet on the top of the Empire State Building. All the elevators would go to the 86th floor and everyone would have to leave the elevator.  Well these movies have a positive twist to the top of the building but it was also known for a dark side; this public outdoor observatory was also the site of more than 30 suicides.  The building opened in 1931, apparently a few years before the term became popular - 86'ed.

So as you can see, there are MANY ideas to the origin and many times suggested on when it was coined.  Really don't know but I sure like a few of the ideas!

3 Year Old and Beethoven's 5th Symphony

This is just too cute and I bet one day, he grows up and has a career in music.  This 3 year old, Jonathan, is conducting the 4th Movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.  He is pretty much amazing as he KNOWS the music and he also can keep the tempo.  Quite astonishing and very candid.  This should really put a smile on your face.  I bet some have never even heard this piece yet alone could conduct it!  Bravo Mistro!  Bravo!

Rebuild a Jeep in under 4 minutes...

I have boys and they like Jeeps so when I saw this video I figured there were other boys out there who would like to see it too!

There are also some comments right below the video that give some information about the whole process.

Hope you enjoy Rebuild a Jeep.  Pretty cool!

The Minnesota Song

Being a former Minnesotan and wanting to reach out to my Minnesota friends, I felt the need to share this sweet Minnesota tune.  Knowing you ALL are enjoying this wonderful, LONG winter, feel free to sing along with the Minnesota Song!

Stay warm and don't forget to "shovel it"!

the Grocery Store - Jeanne Robertson

"Don't Send a Man to the Grocery Store!" Jeanne Robertson said.

This is an incredibly funny lady and her delivery is great.  I think I enjoy this story so much because I have a husband who is rather logical like her husband is.  I get the way the man thinks because I live here too!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this great clip!  Now for more fun, click here to watch Jeanne’s other videos:

Don't Go Rafting With a Baptist!
Don't Bungee Jump Naked!
Men Don't Know the Style in NYC
Flight Attendant Deals With a Bad Potato

And - for those of you interested in the recipe...I have it here below! Enjoy!!

7-Up Pound Cake by Jeanne Robertson’s  

You’ll need: Flour, Sugar, Shortening, Butter or margarine, 7-up (or generic “Twist Up” like I’m using), eggs, vanilla, and a bit of lemon flavoring.

Here is a bit closer shot of the flavorings.

I usually use the cheap vanilla but if you swear by the real stuff or homemade or whatever, knock yourself out and I’ll still be happy.

You just need a little bit of the lemon lime coke so you can get one of these cute little baby cans if you like.

Place your sugar, shortening, and butter in a mixing bowl.

(1 cup butter or margarine, 1⁄2 cup shortening, 3 cups sugar)

 

Mix that up until well blended.

Add your lemon extract or flavoring or whatever it is you found in your pantry or went out and bought.

  (1-1⁄2 teaspoons lemon extract) 

Add in your vanilla.

(1-1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract*)

and all of your eggs.

(5 eggs)

Mix that up really well

Add in your flour.

(3 cups all-purpose flour)

and your 7-up-ish type beverage.

(7 fluid ounces 7-Up (Can use diet)

Mix all of that up.

Then you’re going to pour that into a greased and floured bundt pan.

Pour into greased & floured tube pan (Jeanne just uses Baker’s Joy to spray on her pan to make this easier).

Bake at 300 for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Jeanne says to let it sit for thirty minutes before turning out

.

Goodness, can you smell that?

Now we need to make our glaze. Place your confectioner’s sugar in a bowl. Add a wee bit of lemon flavoring.

And a wee bit of milk. Stir that up until it looks kind of like school glue. Don’t worry, it won’t taste like glue If it is a bit thin, just add more confectioner’s sugar. I always end up making mine too thin to begin with and have to add more.

If you end up with any bad spots because you had a friend who was about to leave and you needed to turn it out sooner so you could send some with her, don’t worry about it. We’re here to eat our food, not build a shrine to it.

Enjoy your cake!

Jeanne Robertson’s 7-Up Pound Cake

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 3 cups sugar
• 1-1⁄2 teaspoons lemon extract
• 1-1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract*
• 5 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 7 fluid ounces 7-Up (Can use diet)

In a large bowl, place butter, shortening, and sugar. Beat until it is fluffy and well mixed. Add in lemon extract and vanilla flavoring. Add in all of the eggs and beat again until blended in.  Add in all of your flour and then seven up. Mix until smooth and creamy. Pour into greased and floured tube pan (Jeanne just uses Baker’s Joy to spray on her pan to make this easier). Bake at 300 for one hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Jeanne says to let it sit for thirty minutes before turning out. I let mine sit for ten because that is just what I’m used to but I’ll give thirty a try next time!

*Glaze

• 1-1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 tsp lemon extract

Combine all and stir until smooth. Add more milk if too thick, more confectioner’s sugar if too thin. Pour over cooled cake.

*I added the glaze but the original recipe didn’t have it on there. If you make these to freeze, don’t glaze them first, wait til you thaw ‘em!

Now for more fun, click here to watch Jeanne’s other videos:
Don't Go Rafting With a Baptist!
Don't Bungee Jump Naked!
Men Don't Know the Style in NYC
Flight Attendant Deals With a Bad Potato

News Reporter and a Sled

This is unbelievable.  Just telling you about this clip will not do it justice!  You will have to watch as this News Reporter is taping a story on two sleds racing down a hill.

This is now on my classic list! 

Incredible Contortionists

These two incredible contortionists will cause you to hold your breath as you see what they can do. At first you may think, yeah, so - this is quite boring....just wait. You will NOT be saying that for long.

Incredibly flexible and  pretty much inconceivable what they are able to do.  Watch and wonder.

An Atheist in the Woods

AN ATHEIST IN THE WOODS

An atheist was walking through the woods.

'What majestic trees!'

'What powerful rivers!'

'What beautiful animals!'

He said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him.  He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him.  He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing in on him. He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even closer. He tripped & fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw & raising his right paw to strike him.

In that instant, the Atheist cried out:  'Oh my God!'

Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky.

'You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to cosmic accident.  Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?  Am I to count you as a believer?'

The atheist looked directly into the light, and said: 'It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a Christian?'

'Very well', said the voice.

The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed. And the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head & spoke:

'Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen.'