new year's eve wedding

Make at least one New Year's Eve Resolution for your marriage. Make one New Year's resolution each year that will strengthen your bond or make marriage easier.

 Have a silly midnight tradition. Do something you both love at the stroke of midnight each year.

Dodd Darin

He was born on 16 December 1961  His mother was Sandra Dee (born Alexandra Zuck, April 23, 1942 – February 20, 2005) , and his father was Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto; May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973).

LEGION by CS Lewis

Lord, here my voice, my present voice I mean,
Not that which may be speaking an hour hence
(for I am Legion) in an opposite sense,
And not by show of hands decide between
The multiple factions which my state has seen
Or will see. Condescend to the pretense
That what speaks now is I; in its defense
Dissolve my parliament and intervene.

Thou wily not, though we asked it, quite recall
Free will once given. Yet to this moment’s choice
Give unfair weight. Hold me to this. Oh strain
A point - use legal fictions; for if all
My quarreling selves must bear an equal voice,
Farewell, thou hast created me in vain.

Bobby Burgess

In 1955 he was selected as one of the original Mouseketeers by Walt Disney to appear on his new television program TheMickey Mouse Club. In 1961 Bobby first appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show, which continued until 1982. However he is still often to be seen on TV reruns.

jpr:  (need my calculator) 2012-1955 = 57 years that some have been watching him dance. Where is Annette?

Ping Ponging the history of Ping Pong

Ping Pong was invented by the Chinese who got the idea from the English invention of Tennis which was an idea taken from the Chinese Badminton which came from an idea for Cricket which is a form of the Flemish Hockey which is similar to ancient Mongolian Chinese game of Beikou which may have derived from the ancient Gaelic pastime of knocking the sith out of your friends and neighbors.

PS  I always check my facts and references to make sure they agree with my essays.

Restaurant POLIDOR

This place is seen in the movie "Midnight in Paris". My dentist is named Polidor and she is thrilled to have seen the eatery in the movie..."in several scenes" she adds.

41, rue Monsieur Le Prince, 75006 Paris 
Open daily from 12h to 14h30 
and 19h to 0:30 (except Sundays 23h)

Boolavogue,

Boolavogueis a village 5 miles northeast of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, Ireland. In the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when the local parish priest Father John Murphy led his parishioners into battle on May 26, 1798. The Wexford insurgents were eventually defeated at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on June 21. Father Murphy and the other rebel leaders were killed. Fr Murphy was hanged, then decapitated, his corpse burnt in a barrel of tar and his head placed on a spike as a warning to the rebels.  

The chapel at Booloavogue was destroyed in 1798 and rebuilt.

Knocknashee

Knocknashee was identified as a hilltop fort in 1988. It is an enclosed hill fort with limestone ramparts containing cairns, burial chambers and hutsites. The fort is 700 metres long and 320 metres wide and is enclosed by two earth and stone ramparts covering an area of 53 acres. The site was discovered during an aerial survey of county Sligo by the Office of Public Works in 1988.

christmass choir

It's all about the joy!

The Jewel Tea Company

In 1933, the Autumn Leaf pattern China, manufactured by Hall, was introduced as a premium line for the Jewel Tea Company. The three piece serving set was offered in 1933 and it was so popular that it stayed in the line to the end of production in 1976. The Jewel In Home Shopping Service discontinued it's business operations in January 1981. Many routes are still in business, operated independently. 


jpr: The Jewel Man was a door to door sales/delivery man offering everything needed by the house wife including food items as well as toys for Christmass. Coupons were earned for each purchase and specialty items such as the china were  redeemed.

world's biggest living thing

 Armillaria ostoyae, the honey mushroom, started from a single spore. It has been spreading its  filaments through the forest for an estimated 2,400 years. It now covers 2,200 acres (880 hectares) of the Malheur National Forest, in eastern Oregon. The outline of the giant fungus stretches 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) across, and it extends an average of three feet (one metre) into the ground. It covers an area as big as 1,665 football fields.

jpr: The big guy is edible!

1500 yr old oak tree

Found on John's Island, S.C. No trace of a Keebler Elf has ever been found.

redneck christmass

gifts for women at christmass

The top five gifts women want the most:

#1.) Designer shoes
#2.) A designer coat
#3.) A pet
#4.) A designer purse
#5.) Jewelry

 The five gifts women don’t want:

#1.) Household items
#2.) Gift cards
#3.) Champagne
#4.) A gym membership
#5.) A kitchen appliance

andy williams

Andy with his children from his marriage to Claudine Longet. His TV christmass specials replaced  Bing Crosby after the older crooner's death.

December flowers

 These are affordable gentlemen!

reindeer at Christmass

 Best use of the reindeer.

Christmass tree decorations

The long needle pines best show their ornaments.

1st prize

Christmass door decoration contest.

jpr: One strudel for them!

The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus

by Ogden Nash

In Baltimore there lived a boy. He wasn't anybody's joy. Although his name was Jabez Dawes, His character was full of flaws. In school he never led his classes, He hid old ladies' reading glasses, His mouth was open when he chewed, And elbows to the table glued. He stole the milk of hungry kittens, And walked through doors marked NO ADMITTANCE. He said he acted thus because There wasn't any Santa Claus. ....... Deploring how he did behave, His parents swiftly sought their grave. They hurried through the portals pearly, And Jabez left the funeral early. ....... What was beheld by Jabez Dawes? The fireplace full of Santa Claus! Then Jabez fell upon his knees With cries of 'Don't,' and 'Pretty Please.' He howled, 'I don't know where you read it, But anyhow, I never said it!' 'Jabez' replied the angry saint, 'It isn't I, it's you that ain't. Although there is a Santa Claus, There isn't any Jabez Dawes!' ... Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes, The saucy boy who mocked the saint. jpr:  regrettably shortened.

Whoa there!

Leave some room for the snow!

Christmass quotes

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” 
― Charles Dickens

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” 
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." 
― Andy Rooney

“Christmas, my child, is love in action." 
― Dale Evans Rogers

christmas table decoration

This be like my grandma's which my ma always used.

Redneck Letter From Home

I'm writing this letter slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your Dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles from your home, so we moved.

I won't be able to send you the address because the last Arkansas family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so that they wouldn't have to change their address. 

Remember that coat you wanted me to send you? Your Uncle Stanley said it would be to heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.

Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pick-up truck. Ralph was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in back. They drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down.

Uncle Ted fell in a whisky vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them off playfully and drowned. We had him cremated and he burned for three days.

Love, 

Mom

Fait Accomplit a' La Strudel

Apple Strudel (jpr)

  

1. Mix dried mixed raisins (2 handfuls and dried cranberries (1) handful in a small pan with a glass of white wine (Riesling preferred). Allow to sit until components become soft.
2. Add a sufficient quantity for purpose of [strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries] in a blender with (1) tablespoon of brandy (of choice). Store the resulting puree chilled.
3. Prepare sufficient cooking apples (Ida Reds recommended) by thinly slicing (peeled if you must), Mix with (1/4) cup honey sugar,  (1) tsp cinnamon, (1/4) tsp nutmeg [per roll of strudel.]
4. Heat at 400 deg (preheated) for 20 min then cool and chill.

     a). Dough   sufficient for four several loafs 12 inch long  by 12 inch wide,(3) cups purpose flour (per) strudel, (1) egg, (1/4) cup soft butter (regular), pinch salt (opt),  (1) cup   water,  (1) tsp olive oil .

    b). Cinnamon sugar mix: place several tps of granulated sugar in bowl mix with powdered cinnamon until uniform light brown color results.

   c). Knead until it is smooth and tacky about 5 minutes. add (1) tsp flour as needed. Form the dough into ball, brush it with oil and set (1) hour at room temp. Roll a thin section 12” x 12” dough , butter the center third and place a thin layer of cinnamon sugar mix. Fill center by generously mounding the filling then flip sides over while brushing with butter.

  d).  Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes and then at 350°F for another 30 minutes. Remove and brush with melted butter.

Serve with original whipped cream…it’s a killer (4.5 stars)!!!!

Christmass in Wheeling WVa

Always a beautiful holiday there. The parade is long and well done.

Love Came Down

"Love came down at Christmas;

Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and angels gave the sign."

Christina G. Rossetti  (1830-1894)

"Frohi Wiehnacht"

  Merry Christmass ]n Switzerland.

Christmass in Boiling Springs

Boiling Springs is one of the many picturesque small villages around Pennsylvania.  Beginning the first week of December, the town becomes magical.

The first Sunday in December is the date of the annual Christmas Tree lighting on the Childrens’ Lake. The lake is naturally heated and never freezes.

jpr: It's a lovely stay with a first class inn adjoining the lake.

Over The Misty Mountains Cold

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.

........

The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
The dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!

by J R R Tolkien

Gargoyle

A gargoyle is a carved grotesque stone usually made of granite, with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building.

A French legend about  St. Romanus (AD 631–641), who was made bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster called Gargouille. La Gargouille is said to have been the typical dragon with bat like wings, a long neck, and the ability to breathe fire from its mouth. There are multiple versions of the story, either that St. Romanus subdued the creature with a crucifix, or he captured the creature with the help of the only volunteer, a condemned man. In each, the monster is led back to Rouen and burned, but its head and neck would not burn due to being tempered by its own fire breath. The head was then mounted on the walls of the newly built church to scare off evil spirits, and used for protection. 

white flag of surrender

The first mention of the usage of white flags to surrender is made during the Eastern Han dynasty (A.D 25–220). In the Roman Empire, The historian Cornelius Tacitus mentions a white flag of surrender in A.D. 109. Before that time, Roman armies would surrender by holding their shields above their heads.

 The white flag was widely used in the Middle Ages in Western Europe to indicate an intent to surrender. The color white was used generally to indicate a person was exempt from combat; heralds bore white wands, prisoners or hostages captured in battle would attach a piece of white paper to their hat or helmet, and garrisons that had surrendered and been promised safe passage would carry white batons

a five star dish

This is a  serving from which the flavors reach off the plate and the rapture is not lost upon its partake, hence the jpr five star (unfailing) review.

This a simple dish for cold weather. The salmon (red) patty is standard but finely chopped fresh chili is added.  Fried in virgin olive oil . The warm pasta with fresh tomato, a little chopped spinach, and quality spaghetti cheese.

Oh yes! The accompanying presence of the dependable  Sam Adams makes it five star plus.  Enjoy!!

Fallujah Incident

On March 31, 2004 four Black Water Security employees  were ambushed and killed  in the city of Fallujah.  The designated mission was to deliver cutlery. Their dead bodies were hung ominously from a bridge.  It seems the men had asked a local Iraqi for directions prior to their  mission departure. This was a fatal error.

snow shoeing in Appalachia

jpr: Nearly got me a pair of snow shoes a couple of winters back but I didn't want to venture into the virgin forest with out my pup.

Paul Williams

                                                                 
  A most talented man still kicking.

christmass secrets

I know so many secrets
Such secrets full of fun;
But if you hear my secrets,
Please don't tell anyone.
Here are some lights that twinkle,
Here is an ornament.
Here is a great big present
From Grandpa it was sent.
And on the very tip-tip top,
An angel you can see,
What is the secret? Can't you tell?
Why, it's a Christmas tree!

by ?????

early winter in appalachia

jpr: Just got me snow fences up!

Starry Night

 Dedicated to the memory of Van Gogh 

A creative heart, obsessed with satisfying
this dormant and uncaring society
you have given them the stars at night
and you have given them
Bountiful Bouquets of Sunflowers
but 4 u there is only contempt
and though you pour yourself into that fame
and present it so proudly this world
could not accept your masterpieces
from the heart.
So on that starry night you gave to us
and you took away from us
the one thing we never acknowledged
your life. 

Tupac Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996)

chrsitmass tree lights

early christmass  memories are of these bubble lights. some yet place them on their trees. No child can but delight in such watch.

back to the strudel

"Many thanks for all the response for recipes. JPR is now in the process of an original creation.

Stay linked." Patty Johnson "JPR is such a nice man."

matter antimatter annihilation

 while on physics if matter and antimatter  particles collide then the  old stuff disappears but are replaced with new stuff.

It should be noted that some hold the resulting bits might appear instantaneously anywhere in the universe???

the God particle

According to the current theory, particles acquire mass by interacting with the Higgs field. A Higgs boson—the smallest possible excitation of the Higgs field was originally referred to as the “God_dmn” particle since it was so difficult to detect but the tag was shortened to the publicly correct “God “ particle.

Any particle that moves through space, particularly empty space cannot do so without gaining mass.

Capucine

Born Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre
6 January 1928
Saint-Raphaël, Var, France
Died 17 March 1990 (aged 62)
Lausanne, Switzerland
Cause of death Suicide

Except for a final appearance in a 1989 TV movie, Capucine spent her last decade in seclusion in Switzerland, and in 1990 she committed suicide by leaping from her 8th-floor Swiss apartment.

birds in winter

Feathers keep a bird warm in winter. They repel water. Their fluffy nature increases the tiny air spaces within and further insulate from the cold. Each feather is controlled by muscle action to raise/lower body temperature. On extremely cold days the birds bury naked body parts: feet, and beaks under their feathers. Birds take refuge in dense vegetation in winter such as an evergreen.

feral hogs

War is being waged right now across the country -- against huge, ever-growing packs of feral pigs that are running rampant, destroying crops, killing wildlife and spreading disease everywhere they go, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.
Historians think the hogs were first brought by explorers to this country from Spain in the late 1500s. The boars bred and spread -- and have chomped their way across the country ever since, devouring crops and small livestock.

A teenager in Texas with a dead large hog and a map showing the wild hog range.

POPCORN

Popcorn was first discovered thousands of years ago by the Guatemalans. It is one of the oldest forms of corn: evidence of popcorn from 3600 BCE was found in New Mexico and even earlier evidence dating to perhaps as early as 4700 BCE was found in Peru. Some popcorn has been found in early 1900s to be a purple color.

The English who came to America in the 16th and 17th centuries learned about popcorn from the Native Americans

advice to men

..Older men should be temperate, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance....

Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves,
showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect,
with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech 
that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame..

~ scripture 


jpr: dignity is an important theme here!

call for papers

This blog is accepting  recipes with proven tract record for traditional apple strudel. Send yours to the blog secretary, P.J. immediatley at particia01johnson@gmail.com

advice for women

"Older women should be reverent in their behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted to drink, 
teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women
to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers,
under the control of their husbands..."
~ scripture

jpr: This is a proof of their existence!

TerraCycle

Not only can one man's trash be another man's treasure, it also can be another man's $1.2 million. At TerraCycle, a company originally created by two Princeton University students for a business plan competition in 2001, that's exactly the case: Other companies pay them to take their non-recyclable waste and turn it into treasures—often practical items like tote bags, umbrellas, and notebooks—for resale to the public.

O Mio Babbino Caro

O mio babbino caro,
mi piace, è bello bello,
vo’andare in Porta Rossa
a comperar l’anello!
Si, si, ci voglio andare!
E se l’amassi indarno,
andrei sul Ponte Vecchio
ma per buttarmi in Arno!


Puccini 

jpr: If one just pronounces the words out loud, then the emotions cannot but flow, or better have Maria Callas sing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxy4qrnKwVo

a big candy bar

The Chicago-based World's Finest Chocolate  candy maker’s creation weighed in at a shocking 12,000 pounds and measures 3-feet high and 21-feet long.

                               

The bar can provide 209,000 1-ounce servings - enough for every fan in Chicago's Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, Soldier Field and the United Center - with 45,000 leftovers.



jpr: Oh Yeah!

black leg tick

Also known as the deer tick is active year round except on days where the temp is below freezing. So those who venture into the fields;  hikers, dog walkers,  and (antler) hunters beware.

largest chocolate structure

 The chocolate sculpture depicts the Kukulkan pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico. 
The sculpture weighs 8,273.3 kg (18,239.5 lb).  Created by chef Francois Mellet.

Irish joke

In a convent in Ireland, the 98-year-old Mother Superior lay dying. The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her last journey comfortable. One of the nuns went to the kitchen. Remembering a bottle of Irish Whiskey she opened it and poured a generous amount into some warm milk. 
Back at Mother Superior's bed, they held the glass to her lips. The frail nun drank a little, then a little more and before they knew it,  she had finished the whole glass.
"Mother," the nuns asked earnestly, "Please give us some of your wisdom before you leave us." She raised herself up in bed on one elbow, looked at them and said:  "Don't sell that cow"  

Salmon Country Style

A hardy fixing with delicate flavors.

 Recipe:    Salmon....... 3 hrs in crock pot on low heat,  cool, layer with spinach, crushed onion, cream cheese mixed with salt, pepper, and lemon juice then layer with buttermilk
biscuit dough, then 4 hrs low heat in crock pot.

Sweet potatoes fried in olive oil with onions, fresh chili peppers, greens of choice , and croutons.

Fresh slice of tomato dusted with spaghetti cheese.    

jpr: Oh yeah, a cold Sam Adams is needed here.

vote today

It's a privilege earned by the sacrifices of our forefathers.

Siege of Ma'arra

During the 1st Crusade in 1098, the city of Ma'arrat al-Numan, in what is modern-day Syria, was captured.  The Muslims surrendered, but the crusaders immediately began to massacre the population. The starving crusaders at Maarat reportedly resorted to cannibalism, feeding on the dead bodies of Muslims.

McColloch's Leap

On  a September day in 1777,  Major Samuel McColloch led a small force of men from Fort Vanmetre along a creek to assist the besieged Fort Henry at Wheeling ,WVa. Separated from his men, McColloch was chased by attacking Indians. Upon his horse, McColloch charged up Wheeling Hill and made what is known as McColloch's Leap 300 feet (91 m) down its eastern side.

So daring was his  feat that the natives in pursuit gave a rousing cheer  when both horse and rider survived.


jpr:  rumor persists  that his ex-wife was seen among the savages on that fateful day.