Each year at Valentine's Day Americans purchase as many as 58 million pounds of chocolates. In 2008, the premium chocolate market was a $1.6 billion business. About $720 million came from small regional and local chocolatiers, many of who make their candy by hand.
What's more, to-die-for chocolate may actually help you live longer. It's rich in flavonoids-which may help lower blood pressure-and packed with other antioxidants. Eating a little bit every day could be beneficial to your health.
So what is your favorite chocolate. My favorite chocolatiers are: Jacques Torres, and Christopher Elbow.
Go ahead, eat some chocolate, it will make you feel better.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Census Spending Criticized
The Census Bureau, a month away from its 2010 population count, has already WASTED millions paying temporary employees who never did the work and others who overbilled for travel, according to excerpts of an audit obtained by the AP.
Still, federal investigators said it was appropriate for the Census Bureau to spend $133 million on its advertising campaign, including $2.5 million for Super Bowl spots that some Republicans derided as wasteful.
In response, Census Bureau spokesman Stephen BUckner attributed the excessive training costs to strong applicant interest in the temporary jobs. As a result, more recruits than expenced showed up for the paid training sessions, and many subsequently were let go without performing work.
Since then, the agency has adjusted its job recruitment to account for the changes and imposed new controls to manage expenses.
Still, federal investigators said it was appropriate for the Census Bureau to spend $133 million on its advertising campaign, including $2.5 million for Super Bowl spots that some Republicans derided as wasteful.
In response, Census Bureau spokesman Stephen BUckner attributed the excessive training costs to strong applicant interest in the temporary jobs. As a result, more recruits than expenced showed up for the paid training sessions, and many subsequently were let go without performing work.
Since then, the agency has adjusted its job recruitment to account for the changes and imposed new controls to manage expenses.
Can We Afford Web Access for All?
When you pay your phone bill each month, a small percentage goes to a federal fund that subsidizes phone service for people in remote areas and for the poor. Now the FCC is considering expanding this $7 billion Universal Service Fund to give all Americans access to high speed internet.
President Obama recently announced his plan to contribute $2 billion in stimulus funds to the effort, but creating truly universal broadboand access could cost as much as $350 billion. Next month, an FCC task force will recommend ways to pay for the expansion.
FCC Chairman claims that providing universal broadband is an essential national mission that will boost the economy by enhancing communication and commerce, improving the delivery of healthcare, and providing new educational opportunities for millions.
Rather than tack more fees on to phone bills, Consumers Union suggests applying the fee to broadband-internet users as well. With an expanded base, the burden would be on more people so the cost to individual users would be lower.
Progress and Freedom Foundation says the costs shouldn't be borne just by consumers, it would be better to support it through general tax revenues so everyone shares in the costs.
WHO is going to pay for the computers?????
President Obama recently announced his plan to contribute $2 billion in stimulus funds to the effort, but creating truly universal broadboand access could cost as much as $350 billion. Next month, an FCC task force will recommend ways to pay for the expansion.
FCC Chairman claims that providing universal broadband is an essential national mission that will boost the economy by enhancing communication and commerce, improving the delivery of healthcare, and providing new educational opportunities for millions.
Rather than tack more fees on to phone bills, Consumers Union suggests applying the fee to broadband-internet users as well. With an expanded base, the burden would be on more people so the cost to individual users would be lower.
Progress and Freedom Foundation says the costs shouldn't be borne just by consumers, it would be better to support it through general tax revenues so everyone shares in the costs.
WHO is going to pay for the computers?????
The Night Before Christmas
An Ohio woman treasures a classic poem. Holly Menzie has amassed more than 250 books, tree ornaments, records, blankets, pillows, music boxes, and even a game board with The Night Before Christmas theme. Her two oldest books date to 1910. She has a recording of Louis Armstrong narrating the poem in 1971.
Clement Clarke Moore is credited with writing the peom in 1823. The story paints Santa Claus as the magical symbol of Christmas and embodies the spirit of giving.
Clement Clarke Moore is credited with writing the peom in 1823. The story paints Santa Claus as the magical symbol of Christmas and embodies the spirit of giving.
Yo-Yo fanatic
Florida doctor prizes playthings on a string. John "Doc Lucky" Meisenheimer always has a yo-yo in his pocket. With nearly 6,000 yo-yo's he has the largest collection in the world. He has floor to ceiling glass cases encircling the loft of his home library to house his collection. He also created a yo-yo headed manequin covered with 603 yoyo's. Some of his yo-yos are antiques including a circa 1790 brass toy from England, a few are rare, like a wooden prototype-one of only six known to exist-made around 1955 by Duncan Toy Co for Coca Cola. Others blow bulles, generate sparks, and emit scents.
He has a 6' tall, 820 pound yo-yo made in 1990 by a woodworking class in Jasonville, In. He spotted to toy on eBay and bid on it. He keeps it in a backyard shed.
When he was unable to find a definitive guidebook on the subject, he spent 4 years researching and writing Lucky's Collectors Guide to 20th Century Yo-Yo's. The love affair of yo-yo's began after marketing genius Donald F. Duncan Sr. hired salesmen to demonstrate yo-yo tricks across the country. He also partnered with William Randolph Hearst to sponsor yo-yo contests. For more information go to www.yo-yos.net.
He has a 6' tall, 820 pound yo-yo made in 1990 by a woodworking class in Jasonville, In. He spotted to toy on eBay and bid on it. He keeps it in a backyard shed.
When he was unable to find a definitive guidebook on the subject, he spent 4 years researching and writing Lucky's Collectors Guide to 20th Century Yo-Yo's. The love affair of yo-yo's began after marketing genius Donald F. Duncan Sr. hired salesmen to demonstrate yo-yo tricks across the country. He also partnered with William Randolph Hearst to sponsor yo-yo contests. For more information go to www.yo-yos.net.
Sharing His Toys
Oklahoma artist amasses an action-figure army. Kevin stark has been playing with and drawing action figures ever since he got a hand me down GI Joe in 1965. He has 11,000 action figures and lives in Pauls Valley, Ok. He started designig the flexible toys 20 years ago. He got a job as a paperboy when he was 10 so he could buy GI Joes. He would make capes from old tees and glue on cardboard wings. His sketches are used to make characters in the Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Toxic Crusaders, and Coneheads, along with his own 79 year old superhero, Geezer come to life.
Today the action figure ensemble is exhibited in a former department store building that community volunteers helped transform into The Toy and Action Figure Museum in 2005. Next time you are in Pauls Valley, Ok (population 6,256) stop by and see his collection. for more information go to www.actionfiguremuseum.com.
Today the action figure ensemble is exhibited in a former department store building that community volunteers helped transform into The Toy and Action Figure Museum in 2005. Next time you are in Pauls Valley, Ok (population 6,256) stop by and see his collection. for more information go to www.actionfiguremuseum.com.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Squirrel Appreciation Day
Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Not sure what this means, do we take them to dinner, buy them a card and gift, not swear at them, let them lay around the house? I do have several and yes they eat at my table outside on my deck and I find them rather entertaining. I know many people hate them and they can be destructive but they are God's creatures so just for today be kind to the squirrels.
Hillbuzz
I am not a fan of Hillary never was never will be however the boys at Hillbuzz need us to rally around them. They were Hillary fans until nodopey stole that nomination. Now that they are supporting Scott Brown and Sarah Palin and other conservatives, they are being called racists, etc just like the rest of us. They are really getting clobbered so please go over to hillbuzz and give the some prayers, love, and hugs, they need and deserve it.
http://hillbuzz.org/
http://hillbuzz.org/
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Gloves for Christmas
One day this summer at work during lunch I was perusing my Vogue Knitting magazine. Being summer they had lots of projects that did not require you melting while knitting. There was a pair of fabulous fingerless gloves. One of the guys said could you knit me a pair of those for my girlfriend for Christmas, sure no problem, what color of yarn and what do you want it made of and what size. Well here are the gloves. I had Enchanted Hues on Etsy spin the yarn for me, and it is so sofy and yummy. Thanks Leann for the yarn and I hope the girlfriend loves the gloves. BTW the pattern is easy once you get going.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Turtle Sweaters
Ok so the turtle sweaters are done and the hats are to match. They were a lot of work but a lot of fun. The hardest part was the colorwork involved in the making the turtles, 17 rows of oh crap the foot does not belong under the neck, but... they are finally done.
My own Bucky Cat
Here is my very own Bucky Cat, she is every bit as onery as Bucky in the Get Fuzzy cartoons, and will get into any kind of trouble, in fact trouble finds her.
Christmas Swap
My online knitting group had yet another swap well this was the last one of the year. Send yarn and a pattern, one skein, something to eat and drink, and a Christmas gift to be opened on Christmas Day. Well my box came today and as you can tell I was beyond spoiled. I LOVE IT ALL. ONe more week and I can open the big blue box, hmmmm wonder what it is.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Meadow Muffins
Two days in a row there are questionable front page stories. What are meadow muffins, you ask? Cow Patties.
I suppose Meadow Muffins is the PC term for cow patties cos that just conjures up big ole steaming piles you don't want to step in. Now they think meadow muffins can produce electricity, yep there is a use for them other than throwing contests.
Southwest Kansas has tons of feedlots, just drive through, roll down the window and breathe in, that is the smell of money so they say. Early next year equipment at a cattle feedlot will begin turning manure into fuel that could make electricity for 30 homes. If the demo project is successful larger units could be placed at feedlots to take advantage of the state's abundant supplies.
Kansas has two cows/human in the state. One cow can produce enough muffins that are equal to 140 gallons of gasoline. 50,000 cows could provide enough muffins to power 24,000 homes.
Missouri chicken farmers have approached KCP&L about adding manure as fuel to coal fired power plants. Minnesota uses turkey manure for a 55 megawatt plant.
Makes me wonder with 4 cats what I can do and make some money.
I suppose Meadow Muffins is the PC term for cow patties cos that just conjures up big ole steaming piles you don't want to step in. Now they think meadow muffins can produce electricity, yep there is a use for them other than throwing contests.
Southwest Kansas has tons of feedlots, just drive through, roll down the window and breathe in, that is the smell of money so they say. Early next year equipment at a cattle feedlot will begin turning manure into fuel that could make electricity for 30 homes. If the demo project is successful larger units could be placed at feedlots to take advantage of the state's abundant supplies.
Kansas has two cows/human in the state. One cow can produce enough muffins that are equal to 140 gallons of gasoline. 50,000 cows could provide enough muffins to power 24,000 homes.
Missouri chicken farmers have approached KCP&L about adding manure as fuel to coal fired power plants. Minnesota uses turkey manure for a 55 megawatt plant.
Makes me wonder with 4 cats what I can do and make some money.
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