Quilt Fest of NJ

The Quilt Fest of New Jersey is March 2 – 5, 2006 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ.
Admission for non-registered participants is $12 which includes re-admission for all show days with intact wristband and can be purchased on-site during show hours. ($10, Sunday only.) Admission for all show days is included with pre-registration. Discounts for groups of 20 or more can be arranged. You can contact their office at (215) 862-5828 for details.
Show Hours
Thursday, March 2 11 am - 6 pm
Friday, March 3 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday, March 4 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, March 5 10 am - 5 pm

This Quiltfest is by Mancuso Show Management. To find out more about this and their other quilt shows go to: www.quiltfest.com

Princess Beads - Updated Photo

Check Out the updated picture of the Princess Beads in the Bookstore, last page:
http://www.geraniumfarm.org/bookstore.cfm

Don't know what Princess Beads are? Go here:
http://www.geraniumfarm.org/dailyemo.cfm?Emo=250

Locker Hook Rug Making

Locker Hook Rugs are simple to make. All you need is a locker hook, hook rug canvas, and some strips of fabric scraps and yarn or cotton string.
The locker hook looks like a crochet hook with a large eye on the other end. The eye end of the hook is threaded with yarn or string, which locks the loops in place.
You can get the locker hook at Walmart for $3.97 and they have a 36" x 60" rug canvas for $8.97. There is also a book you might like, Kathleen's Fabric Locker Hooking for $17.97. For other books and free heart and star patterns go to:
http://www.mcgtextiles.com/
In my rug as pictured there are 27 different strips of fabric, about half from Walmart and half from Rag Shop. (See picture below.)
The fabric was cut 1 inch wide from selvage to selvage and all the colors made 8 or 9 rows and the row is 33 inches long. I have not yet determined the final width.
The colors were taken from the two 3-D paper tole pictures my mother-in-law made from some cards I had found. (see 6/10/05 HP posting) These pictures are hung in the main bathroom and that is where the rug will go. I'll make two of them.
It takes 8 to 10 yards of fabric to make a rug ranging in size from 27" x 20" to 32" x 21" . (You can check the book mention above.)
You can find many sites with information and supplies by putting Locker Hook Rugs in your search engine.
Rugmaker's Homestead - Rag Rugs Tour is a great site to view all kinds of rug making. At this site go to # 11 - Anchored Loop Rugs

http://www.netw.com/%7Erafter4/rugtype.html

To see the two completed rugs go to the April 18, 2007 posting.

*Wash rugs on the gentle cycle and then after it's done you can reset it to just the spin cycle on the normal wash to wring out the rest of the water. (This is for a top loading machine with a agitator. I don't know about a front loading machine.)

Beloit College's Class of 2006 Mindset List®

1. A Southerner has always been President of the United States.
2. Richard Burton, Ricky Nelson and Truman Capote have always been dead.
3. South Africa's official policy of apartheid has not existed during their lifetime.
4. Cars have always had eye-level rear stop lights, CD players, and air bags.
5. We have always been able to choose our long distance carriers.
6. Weather reports have always been available 24-hours a day on television.
7. The "evil empire" has moved from Moscow to a setting in some distant galaxy.
8. Big Brother is merely a television show.
9. Cyberspace has always existed.
10. Bruce Springsteen's new hit, Born in the USA, could have been played to celebrate their birth.
11. Barbie has always had a job.
12. Telephone bills have always been totally incomprehensible.
13. Prom dresses have always come in basic black.
14. A "Hair Band" is some sort of fashion accessory.
15. George Foreman has always been a barbecue grill salesman.
16. Afghanistan has always been a front page story.
17. There has always been an heir to the heir to the British throne.
18. They have no recollection of Connie Chung or Geraldo Rivera as serious journalists.
19. Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, and Tom Brokaw have always anchored the evening news.
20. China has always been a market-based reforming regime.
21. The United States has always been trying to put nuclear waste in Nevada.
22. The U.S. and the Soviets have always been partners in space.
23. Mrs. Fields' cookies and Swatch watches have always been favorites.
24. Nicolas Cage, Daryll Hannah, Eddie Murphy, and John Malkovich made their first major film impressions the year they were born.
25. The GM Saturn has always been on the road.
26. The "Fab Four" are not a male rock group, but four women enjoying Sex and the City.
27. Fox has always been a television network choice.
28. Males do not carry a handkerchief in a back pocket.
29. This generation has never wanted to "be a Pepper too."
30. Ozzy's lifestyle has nothing to do with the Nelson family.
31. Women have always had tattoos.
32. Vanessa Williams and Madonna are aging singers.
33. Perrier has always come in flavors.
34. Cherry Coke has always come in cans.
35. A "hotline" is a consumer service rather than a phone used to avoid accidental nuclear war.
36. The drug "ecstasy" has always been around.
37. Genetic testing and DNA screening have always been available.
38. Electronic filing of federal income taxes has always been an option.
39. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has always been available to doctors.
40.Trivial Pursuit may have been played by their parents the night before they were born.
41. The U.S. has always maintained that it has a "clear right to use force against terrorism."
42. The drinking age has always been 21 throughout the country.
43. Women have always been members of the Jaycees.
44. The center of chic has shifted from Studio 54 to Liza's living room, live!
45. Julian Lennon had his only hit the year they were born.
46. Sylvan Learning Centers have always been an after-school option.
47. Hip-hop and rap have always been popular musical forms.
48. They grew up in minivans.
49. Scientists have always recognized the impact of acid rain.
50. The Coen Brothers have always been making films.

And in 1984, perhaps it was "Too Soon to Tell"...
-Technology analysts questioned the need for briefcase-sized computers.

-The National Children and Youth Fitness Study announced that children were overweight and underactive.

-A CPA organization heralded that computerized audit systems were being used to avoid errors and they were doing much better at spotting mistakes and providing internal audit controls.

-Film critics declared that George Lucas was looking for new directions because Star Wars interest was waning.

-Videotape technology was said to be killing the film industry and slowing cable network development.

-Analysts stated there was no market for Direct Broadcast Satellite systems.

-The U.S. Supreme Court declared sleeping to be a form of free speech.

© 2002 Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin

To see other lists go to:
http://www.beloit.edu/%7Epubaff/mindset/03index.html

"Pennies from Heaven"

The "Pennies from Heaven" children's program for Episcopal Relief and Development will soon be unveiled. In the meanwhile, start saving the tall Pringles potato chip cans to get ready. Oh, and pennies too!

Black. White.

Something you might find of interest and you may have seen the sneak preview on Oprah. Two families, one Black and one White are made up to be the opposite to see what it's like trade places.
The series premier is Wednesday, March 8th, at 10pm on the FX channel.
Here's the link to the show on the FX website:

http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/blackwhite/main.html

Oh That Maggie...

Maggie, our little Westie, never ceases to amaze me. She always has dry kibble in her bowl next to her water that she can nibble on as she wants, but dinner is her special canine diet with Iam's Savory Sauce. When dinner time rolls around you can be sure that she most often lets me know by sitting, staring, barking at or "talking" to me. If I get sidetracked or forget to feed her she'll eat her dry food. The other night was such an occasion and when I realized the time, I quickly grabbed her canned food with the bottle of sauce, and held them up showed her and said, "Oh Maggie you don't have to eat that, Look, Mommy has your food right here. I'll feed you". I swear no sooner had I said that, she looked up at me, and she spit the kibble in her mouth onto the floor! Oh that Maggie, you're just too much!

Perfect Protein Pancakes

2 eggs
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup (Kashi Golean) Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

Spray a skillet or griddle with cooking spray and place it over medium heat. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and ricotta until smooth. Whisk in the protein powder, baking powder, and salt only mixing until well combined. Drop batter onto skillet or griddle by the tablespoonful. When the bubbles on the surface of the pancakes are breaking and staying broke, flip them, and cook the other side.

Thanks Joan for passing this along.

Protein Berry Shake

In a blender:
1 cup skim milk
2 rounded Tablespoons low fat vanilla yogurt
around a 1/3 cup of mixed frozen berries (or to your desired taste or thickness)
2 scoops of Kashi Golean Vanilla Protein Powder

Blend well, and I like to strain out all the seeds for a very smooth shake. Over the years I've tried various protein powders but I've now settled on the Kashai as I think it has the best taste.

Here's information on Kashi Golean Vanilla Protein Powder:
http://www.kashi.com/shakes_pd_vanilla.aspx?SID=1&Category_ID=53&Link_ID=20&

You can get recipes, find out about more Kashi products, sign up to get coupons and more at: www.kashi.com

I have this shake for breakfast or lunch and find it very tasty and filling.

What a Mother Starts, a Daughter Finishes

My brother came across a quilt my mom had started and gave it to me. There was enough fabric to make a lap quilt. I completed it and gave it to my dad for Valentine's Day. I think he was quite pleased to have something from both of us.

Sudoku

OK, now that you've figured out how long you'll live, what your "Real Age" is, and tried a little hand-eye coordination, it's time to exercise your brain. We know that as we age, as important as it is to keep our bodies fit, it is also important to keep our mind active and engaged, to that end I invite you to try out a Sudoku Puzzle.
Here are a couple links to get you started.

http://sudoku.com.au/ Note you that you can set the level of difficulty.

http://www.sudoku.com/

http://www.dailysudoku.co.uk/sudoku/index.shtml

Hand-Eye Coordination Test

Here's something fun to test your Hand-Eye coordination. In the email I got it said that the US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots. They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes. The object of the game is to move the red block around without getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls. If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal.
Thanks Joan for passing this along!

http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html

I averaged 13+ seconds. My 18 year old son averaged 22+ seconds.
Matt, our webdude guy for the Geranuim Farm got an amazing 120.546 seconds! He guesses he should have been a fighter piolt, or I said just how time have you spent playing video games? Hee-hee

Here's another one my son told me about that you can try:
The Helicopter Game:

http://www.addictinggames.com/helicopter.html

Real Age Test

Now to go along with the previous test, try calculating to find your "Real Age". Real Age is the biological age of your body, based on how well you maintain it.
Go here to take the Real Age test.

http://www.realage.com/

The Original Death Calculator: Life-Expectancy Quiz

Are you wondering how long you'll live? The Original Death Calculator has been around since 1974. You need to answer the questions truthfully, adding or subtracting years. Your score estimates life-expectancy but years can be added if you improve your lifestyle. The comprehensive version of the calculator will be in bookstores nationwide this Fall.
Click on the link below to see how you score:

http://www.demko.com/deathcalculator.htm

I had done this quiz years ago. I just tried it again. How'd I score? I got a 97. Now if I'd just eat right and exercise more.......I'm working on it.
Thanks Joan for passing this along after you saw it on the Today Show.

Scammers Target Your Cell Phone Records

This is an article I saw on Yahoo and I thought it was worth passing along.
Click on the link to see the article:

Scammers Target Your Cell Phone Records

Billboard® Number One Songs 1956 - 1987

Here's a trip down memory lane. See how many of these hits you remember and think back to how old you were when you heard a song, and what memories it evokes.
Go to:
http://www.geocities.com/mbalingit1/billboard.htm

To look up other items on Billboard go here: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/index.jsp

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

You may have seen this commercial on TV but if you didn't catch it, here's some more information.
The following is taken directly from the website at:

https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php

"The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)."

A-Pass-Along - Dr. Phil's Test

This is one of those things that's making it's way around the Internet and I thought if you hadn't already received it you may enjoy seeing how you score. What follows is just as I got it.

"Here you go. Try this. Below is Dr. Phil's test. On Oprah's show Dr. Phil scored 55, while Oprah scored 38. Some people pay a lot of money to learn things like this about themselves. Read on, this is very interesting. "

"Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and the test takes only about 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and then send it to your friends. If the person that sent this to you followed the instructions, he or she placed their score in the subject box."

"Please do the same before forwarding to your friends. Also be sure to send it back to the person who sent it to you. Don't peek down below. "

"Begin the test at the top and scroll down and answer each question as you come to it (1 through 10). Your answers are for who you are NOW ....... not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by the Human Relations Department at many of the major corporations today. "

"It helps them to get a better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 simple questions, so ..... grab a pencil and paper and keep track of your letter answers to each question. Make sure to
change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished,
forward this to friends and family, and remember to send your response to the
person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score in the subject box."

"Ready? Have fun!"

"Begin" ......

1. When do you feel your best?

a) in the morning!
b) during the afternoon ? early evening
c) late at night

2. You usually walk ...

a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you

a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with ....

a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with ....

a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you ....

a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted

a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before
going to sleep you are ....

a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...

a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS

1. (a) 2 ... (b) 4 ... (c) 6
2. (a) 6 ... (b) 4 ... (c) 7 ... (d) 2 ... (e) 1
3. (a) 4 ... (b) 2 ... (c) 5 ... (d) 7 ... (e) 6
4. (a) 4 ... (b) 6 ... (c) 2 .. (d) 1
5. (a) 6 ... (b) 4 .. (c) 3 ... (d) 5 ... (e) 2
6. (a) 6 .. (b) 4 ... (c) 2
7. (a) 6 .. (b) 2 .. (c) 4
8. (a) 6 ... (b) 7 .. (c) 5 .. (d) 4 ... (e) 3 ... (f) 2 ... (g)1
9. (a) 7 ... (b) 6 ... (c) 4 ... (d) 2 ... (e) 1
10. (a) 4 ... (b) 2 ... (c) 3 . (d) 5 ... (e) ... 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you , hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the
excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive,
someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring! . Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Go Red for Women

The following is from: www.goredforwomen.org

"It’s time to take your heart health personally. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women — and that means it is not “someone else’s problem.” As a woman, it’s your problem."
"That’s where the Go Red Heart Checkup comes in. This comprehensive evaluation of your overall heart health can help you now and in the future. By knowing your numbers and assessing your risks now, you can work with your doctor to significantly reduce your chances of getting heart disease tomorrow, next year, or 30 years from now!"
"So how does it work? First, you need to know your numbers. Next, you can assess your heart disease risks using the Go Red Heart Checkup personal heart-health assessment, which will be available beginning on February 14. Finally, you can work with your doctor to reduce your risks and chart your path to lifelong heart health!"

"Knowing your numbers is an important part of keeping your heart healthy. These numbers can help you and your doctor determine your risks and mark the progress you’re making toward a healthier heart."

"Print out this handy chart for a quick overview of numbers you need to know and the goals you need to achieve to reduce your risk for heart disease. Once you review the optimum numbers for heart health, learn how you can achieve and maintain them."

Thanks Diane for Passing this Along. She says : "This Friday is wear red day in honor of women and heart disease."

Heart Attack Warning Signs

February is American Heart Month.
The following is directly from: www.americanheart.org
Go there to learn even more.

"Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help."

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

"Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain."

"Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach."

"Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort. Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness."

"As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain."

"If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1... Get to a hospital right away."

"Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive -- up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too."

"If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option."