we're playing history detectives for whimsical wednesday. the catalyst? a product from the kitchen that has the company's founding date on the package. for example, kikkoman soy sauce since 1066. after the date has been determined, do a web search of web search for events that happened in that year (1066 in our example).
in my kitchen cupboard i grabbed a bag of chocolate chips. the brand is ghirardelli. according to the banner on the package, the ghirardelli chocolate company was founded in 1852. my history searched focused on that year, 1852. here's what i learned:
*1852 was a leap year.
*uncle tom's cabin by harriett beecher stowe was published.
*the netherlands issued postage stamps for the first time.
*napoleon became emperor of france.
*the uncle sam cartoon made his debut in the new york lantern weekly.
*roget's thesaurus, first edition, was published.
*both loyola college (america) and university of sydney (australia) were founded.
*the flaked cereal industry began with john kellogg's corn flakes.
*emma snodgrass was arrested in boston for wearing pants!
what history did you discover looking in your kitchen cupboards or refrigerator this whimsical wednesday?
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
trivia tuesday
trivia tuesday at the whimsey project! our day to share all manner of trivia. we have trivia categories:
*NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERY DAY! experiences that are most unusual and gobsmacking!
*you did not! experiences you have and share with others and they don't believe you because it's amazing!
*what's in a name? surnames that match a person's profession.
*general trivia; facts that are fun to share.
*your category. add a category of trivia to share on trivia tuesday.
my trivia is in the "what's in a name?" category: a dude i know who runs a landscaping business is named busenbark; his name is pronounced bush n bark!
*NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERY DAY! experiences that are most unusual and gobsmacking!
*you did not! experiences you have and share with others and they don't believe you because it's amazing!
*what's in a name? surnames that match a person's profession.
*general trivia; facts that are fun to share.
*your category. add a category of trivia to share on trivia tuesday.
my trivia is in the "what's in a name?" category: a dude i know who runs a landscaping business is named busenbark; his name is pronounced bush n bark!
Monday, April 28, 2014
get ready.....
get ready for whimsical wednesday! we are taking a history adventure via a product in the kitchen! more on wednesday!
moments monday
moments monday at the whimsey project. our day to reflect and/or connect. we reflect by writing in our memory books (any notebook in which to record random memories), a themed journal, a personal journal, a notable notebooks (any notebook in which to record facts, trivia, quotes, ideas and so forth) or any other type of reflection notebook you may keep. we connect by reaching out to others: call, write, visit, email, send a card or flowers.
today i reflected by writing in my themed journal, the journal i keep about the farm; new trails in the meadow, first hummingbird sighting, kittens! there's always something about the farm to record in the themed journal. i connected by sending cards, letters, email and making phone calls.
how did you reflect and/or connect for moments monday?
today i reflected by writing in my themed journal, the journal i keep about the farm; new trails in the meadow, first hummingbird sighting, kittens! there's always something about the farm to record in the themed journal. i connected by sending cards, letters, email and making phone calls.
how did you reflect and/or connect for moments monday?
Sunday, April 27, 2014
solitude sunday
solitude sunday at the whimsey project! our day to spend time with a book. pull a book off the bookshelf that you have been meaning to read for awhile now. devote as much time as you wish to your book.
i began a new book this week. the first in a series, the hinges of history, by thomas cahill. i'm reading volume one, entitled, how the irish saved civilization; the untold story of ireland's heroic role from the fall of rome to the rise of medieval europe.
it's difficult to select standout details in such a book. it's all so woven together that there's not one fact that can be pointed to as more important or interesting than another fact. what is wonderful about this book, this series, is mr cahill delves into those aspects of history that has gotten little to no attention. reading this slim volume, i'm learned so much about the greco/roman civilizations, the history of ireland and how fascinating the irish people were (are?). i've learned how patrick, a kidnapped member of nobility in roman britian and made slave in ireland, became st patrick. one of the most important historical figures for ireland, he set the stage for ireland's progression from barbarians to a learned, sophisticated civilization. a civilization that saved world civilization. how? by saving the written word from all over the world.
what are you reading? share your book with us at the whimsey project.
i began a new book this week. the first in a series, the hinges of history, by thomas cahill. i'm reading volume one, entitled, how the irish saved civilization; the untold story of ireland's heroic role from the fall of rome to the rise of medieval europe.
it's difficult to select standout details in such a book. it's all so woven together that there's not one fact that can be pointed to as more important or interesting than another fact. what is wonderful about this book, this series, is mr cahill delves into those aspects of history that has gotten little to no attention. reading this slim volume, i'm learned so much about the greco/roman civilizations, the history of ireland and how fascinating the irish people were (are?). i've learned how patrick, a kidnapped member of nobility in roman britian and made slave in ireland, became st patrick. one of the most important historical figures for ireland, he set the stage for ireland's progression from barbarians to a learned, sophisticated civilization. a civilization that saved world civilization. how? by saving the written word from all over the world.
what are you reading? share your book with us at the whimsey project.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
miscellaneous
the leaves of trees are bursting forth. everything is suddenly greener! the dogwood and redbud trees are blooming so there's vivid white and red amid the bright green.
the hummingbird feeders were hung this week in preparation for the arrival of those wee friends. first hummingbird sighting this morning! oh, how i love the hummingbirds. zip and zoom time!
kittens! we have kittens. three of the outdoor kitties were full in figure and now they aren't. i knew there were babies but didn't know where they were. waif doggie sniffed out some of them, close to the house. i peeked at them and thought, "oh, i don't want more kittens!! aren't they cute!?"
the screened porch is tidy and ready for guests. come sit a spell. we'll have tea. hot or iced, with or without lemon, whichever you prefer!
the hummingbird feeders were hung this week in preparation for the arrival of those wee friends. first hummingbird sighting this morning! oh, how i love the hummingbirds. zip and zoom time!
kittens! we have kittens. three of the outdoor kitties were full in figure and now they aren't. i knew there were babies but didn't know where they were. waif doggie sniffed out some of them, close to the house. i peeked at them and thought, "oh, i don't want more kittens!! aren't they cute!?"
the screened porch is tidy and ready for guests. come sit a spell. we'll have tea. hot or iced, with or without lemon, whichever you prefer!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
thoughtful thursday
albert einstein:
there are only two ways to live your life. one is as though nothing is a miracle. the other is as though everything is a miracle.
there are only two ways to live your life. one is as though nothing is a miracle. the other is as though everything is a miracle.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
whimsical wednesday
it's national "take a chance" day for whimsical wednesday! take a chance on something, anything, great or small.
i took a chance this whimsical wednesday. i took a chance on saving a transplanted african violet. a transplant from mom's main african violet was brought home in january. it did well enough, slowly re-establishing itself in new soil, in a new pot, in a new environment. then i was gone for more than a month helping mom after her fall. in the meantime, unable to tend the transplant, it languished. when i got home i was sad it was limping along but watered it and hoped for the best. today i took the transplant from the pot and removed all the withered leaves. that left two obvious starts of a few green, supple leaves. those were divided and planted in two separate pots. after getting a drink of water the "new" plants were returned to the shelf under the sun room window. just seeing them, looking hopeful, made me glad i took a chance on saving the transplanted african violet for whimsical wednesday. film at eleven!
what did you take a chance on for whimsical wednesday? share!
i took a chance this whimsical wednesday. i took a chance on saving a transplanted african violet. a transplant from mom's main african violet was brought home in january. it did well enough, slowly re-establishing itself in new soil, in a new pot, in a new environment. then i was gone for more than a month helping mom after her fall. in the meantime, unable to tend the transplant, it languished. when i got home i was sad it was limping along but watered it and hoped for the best. today i took the transplant from the pot and removed all the withered leaves. that left two obvious starts of a few green, supple leaves. those were divided and planted in two separate pots. after getting a drink of water the "new" plants were returned to the shelf under the sun room window. just seeing them, looking hopeful, made me glad i took a chance on saving the transplanted african violet for whimsical wednesday. film at eleven!
what did you take a chance on for whimsical wednesday? share!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
trivia tuesday
trivia tuesday at the whimsey project! our day to share all manner of trivia. we have several categories and invite you to share your own category:
*general trivia, fun facts and interesting tidbits.
*NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERY DAY! the most unusual experiences.
*what's in a name? someone's surname that matches their profession.
*you did not! in which you relate an experience to others and they respond with YOU DID NOT! or are otherwise incredulous.
in the YOU DID NOT! category, my experiences in australia provoked this response on more than one occasion! we were in a forest hiking and i saw a koala sleeping in a tree. we were in a nature preserve and i held a koala. we were in the great barrier reef and i saw a purple star fish. i told australians that i saw a koala in the wild and they said YOU DID NOT! for it seems sightings in the wild are rare. after returning to america and shared all these experiences with friends at several opportunities and they all said YOU DID NOT! i did, australia and america. i really, really did!
share your trivia with us today at the whimsey project!
*general trivia, fun facts and interesting tidbits.
*NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERY DAY! the most unusual experiences.
*what's in a name? someone's surname that matches their profession.
*you did not! in which you relate an experience to others and they respond with YOU DID NOT! or are otherwise incredulous.
in the YOU DID NOT! category, my experiences in australia provoked this response on more than one occasion! we were in a forest hiking and i saw a koala sleeping in a tree. we were in a nature preserve and i held a koala. we were in the great barrier reef and i saw a purple star fish. i told australians that i saw a koala in the wild and they said YOU DID NOT! for it seems sightings in the wild are rare. after returning to america and shared all these experiences with friends at several opportunities and they all said YOU DID NOT! i did, australia and america. i really, really did!
share your trivia with us today at the whimsey project!
Monday, April 21, 2014
get ready.....
get ready for whimsical wednesday! it's national take a chance day! sooooo.... let's take a chance for whimsical wednesday. be thinking about what you'd like to take a chance on!
moments monday
moments monday at the whimsey project. our day to reflect and/or connect. we reflect by writing in our memory books (any notebook in which to record random memories), personal journals, a themed journal (i keep a journal about life on the farm), notable notebooks (any notebook in which to record interesting facts, quotes, ideas). we connect by visiting with others, calling, writing letters, sending cards, email or any other way people wish to connect.
my reflections included writing in the farm journal and recording the memory of dyeing easter eggs when a child. my connections included letter writing, sending birthday cards and thank you notes for kindnesses offered to me.
how did you reflect and/or connect for moments monday?
my reflections included writing in the farm journal and recording the memory of dyeing easter eggs when a child. my connections included letter writing, sending birthday cards and thank you notes for kindnesses offered to me.
how did you reflect and/or connect for moments monday?
Sunday, April 20, 2014
solitude sunday
solitude sunday at the whimsey project. our day to spend time with a book. pull that book off the shelf that you've intended to read and do so; for however time you have to devote to reading
for christmas past i gifted my friend a book entitled a cup of comfort edited by colleen sell. the book is composed of personal experiences. the cover of the book reads: "timeless stories that warm your heart, lift your spirit and enrich your life." she really enjoyed the book and told me more than once she wanted me to read the book as well. thinking it wouldn't come to that i didn't consider the possibility. however, she handed me the book last sunday, the first opportunity we had to see each other in several months. the look on her face to share this gift with me told me not to disappoint. i picked the book up on tuesday and read part of it. thursday i picked the book up and read more of it.
this morning i finished what remained which wasn't much. it was the perfect read for easter sunday. the personal stories of the authors were very touching and thoughtful. two of the stories were my favorites. and, no surprise, they featured animals. miracle fish. the mom somehow managed to, without her knowledge, drain the fish tank. when it was discovered that the fish were in the dry tank the family assumed the fish were dead. preparing for fishie funerals, water was put back in the tank so the fish would float to the top of the tank. instead of floating, they began to move. slowly at first but breathing and recovering. the family was so happy that they had miracle fish. sing your song. the author of this story had a bird. the birdie was out of the cage while she was running the vacuum cleaner. yes, as you imagined, somehow she managed to vacuum the bird into the machine! frantically she turned off the vacuum cleaner and tore into the bag. there was her birdie! it popped out and flew to a perch and began to sing just as it was doing before it's remarkable adventure with the vacuum cleaner. with this song, however, the birdie sang minus all of its feathers!
what are you reading? share your book with the whimsey project.
for christmas past i gifted my friend a book entitled a cup of comfort edited by colleen sell. the book is composed of personal experiences. the cover of the book reads: "timeless stories that warm your heart, lift your spirit and enrich your life." she really enjoyed the book and told me more than once she wanted me to read the book as well. thinking it wouldn't come to that i didn't consider the possibility. however, she handed me the book last sunday, the first opportunity we had to see each other in several months. the look on her face to share this gift with me told me not to disappoint. i picked the book up on tuesday and read part of it. thursday i picked the book up and read more of it.
this morning i finished what remained which wasn't much. it was the perfect read for easter sunday. the personal stories of the authors were very touching and thoughtful. two of the stories were my favorites. and, no surprise, they featured animals. miracle fish. the mom somehow managed to, without her knowledge, drain the fish tank. when it was discovered that the fish were in the dry tank the family assumed the fish were dead. preparing for fishie funerals, water was put back in the tank so the fish would float to the top of the tank. instead of floating, they began to move. slowly at first but breathing and recovering. the family was so happy that they had miracle fish. sing your song. the author of this story had a bird. the birdie was out of the cage while she was running the vacuum cleaner. yes, as you imagined, somehow she managed to vacuum the bird into the machine! frantically she turned off the vacuum cleaner and tore into the bag. there was her birdie! it popped out and flew to a perch and began to sing just as it was doing before it's remarkable adventure with the vacuum cleaner. with this song, however, the birdie sang minus all of its feathers!
what are you reading? share your book with the whimsey project.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
miscellaneous
the grass is dotted with splashes of yellow! dandelions are everywhere, as yesterday's photo friday attests. either the grass is high or the stems of the dandelions are short because the blossoms are very close to the ground. often they are nestled in the grass. when i see them i think pats of butter! that causes me to giggle!
wee squirrels are romping about. woodpeckers are hopping along tree trunks. birds, mostly cardinals, are flocking to the bird feeders. watching the gold finches reminds me that it's time to cook sugar water to fill the hummingbird feeders. they will soon return.
the easter eggs begun on whimsical wednesday were completed on friday. the eggs rested in the food color solution for two days and when they were removed beautiful blue eggs. the factor that thrilled the most, since i was working with natural substances, was the variations of how the different eggs accepted the food coloring dye. after the eggs dried i was tempted to leave them as they were because they were already beautiful. however, i wanted to play so, using gold and silver metallic permanent markers, i made minimal geometric patterns on the eggs. the designs were influenced by the dye patterns of each individual egg. the results were pleasing. my girls and grandchildren, having viewed the photos i sent them, approved. well done easter eggs!
wee squirrels are romping about. woodpeckers are hopping along tree trunks. birds, mostly cardinals, are flocking to the bird feeders. watching the gold finches reminds me that it's time to cook sugar water to fill the hummingbird feeders. they will soon return.
the easter eggs begun on whimsical wednesday were completed on friday. the eggs rested in the food color solution for two days and when they were removed beautiful blue eggs. the factor that thrilled the most, since i was working with natural substances, was the variations of how the different eggs accepted the food coloring dye. after the eggs dried i was tempted to leave them as they were because they were already beautiful. however, i wanted to play so, using gold and silver metallic permanent markers, i made minimal geometric patterns on the eggs. the designs were influenced by the dye patterns of each individual egg. the results were pleasing. my girls and grandchildren, having viewed the photos i sent them, approved. well done easter eggs!
Friday, April 18, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
thoughtful thursday
washington irving:
there is a sacredness in tears..... they are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.
there is a sacredness in tears..... they are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
a whimsey project announcement!
announcing a whimsey project give-away! follow the whimsey project blog beginning today. once there are 100 followers, there will be a drawing for a wonderful gift:
my friend, bob tarte, best selling pet book author, has donated an autographed copy of his latest book, KITTY CORNERED, for the whimsey project give-away. i am grateful to bob for supplying the gift for our give-away and very excited for the whimsey project follower who will receive his book.
bob has also writted ENSLAVED BY DUCKS, which was a wall street journal best seller as well as the number one best selling pet book on amazon. KITTY CORNERED was an independent bookstore best seller and an alternate selection in four book clubs in 2012, including the mystery guild book club. for more information about bob and his wife, linda, and his books visit his website: http://www.bobtarte.com/
ok, all you wonderfully whimsical persons, become a whimsey project follower today!
my friend, bob tarte, best selling pet book author, has donated an autographed copy of his latest book, KITTY CORNERED, for the whimsey project give-away. i am grateful to bob for supplying the gift for our give-away and very excited for the whimsey project follower who will receive his book.
bob has also writted ENSLAVED BY DUCKS, which was a wall street journal best seller as well as the number one best selling pet book on amazon. KITTY CORNERED was an independent bookstore best seller and an alternate selection in four book clubs in 2012, including the mystery guild book club. for more information about bob and his wife, linda, and his books visit his website: http://www.bobtarte.com/
ok, all you wonderfully whimsical persons, become a whimsey project follower today!
whimsical wednesday
it's whimsical wednesday and we're getting ready for easter. it's an open-ended activity today as everyone will be doing whatever it is they do to prepare for their celebration.
for whimsical wednesday i made easter eggs; or at least began the preparation. what is different this year for easter egg dyeing is the method. i'm always looking for new processes for traditional activities like dyeing easter eggs. i was excited to find a method i had never tried before. eggs are usually dyed with others, namely the grandchildren, so this passive method of dyeing easter eggs really wouldn't function well as a group activity.
after boiling a dozen eggs and cooling them in a bowl of cold water, they were transferred to a large bowl filled with blue food coloring (plus vinegar and water). the eggs will rest in the blue food coloring bath in the refrigerator overnight. tomorrow i will discover how deeply the blue food coloring dyed the eggs. if they aren't blue enough for me, they'll rest a bit longer. when they are the intensity of blue i'm working toward, out of the food coloring solution they'll come. from there the eggs will dry and then they can be embellished.
the best part of dyeing easter eggs, besides the pleasure of doing so, is the deviled eggs i make with the boiled eggs after easter. yum!
how did you prepare for your easter celebration this whimsical wednesday?
for whimsical wednesday i made easter eggs; or at least began the preparation. what is different this year for easter egg dyeing is the method. i'm always looking for new processes for traditional activities like dyeing easter eggs. i was excited to find a method i had never tried before. eggs are usually dyed with others, namely the grandchildren, so this passive method of dyeing easter eggs really wouldn't function well as a group activity.
after boiling a dozen eggs and cooling them in a bowl of cold water, they were transferred to a large bowl filled with blue food coloring (plus vinegar and water). the eggs will rest in the blue food coloring bath in the refrigerator overnight. tomorrow i will discover how deeply the blue food coloring dyed the eggs. if they aren't blue enough for me, they'll rest a bit longer. when they are the intensity of blue i'm working toward, out of the food coloring solution they'll come. from there the eggs will dry and then they can be embellished.
the best part of dyeing easter eggs, besides the pleasure of doing so, is the deviled eggs i make with the boiled eggs after easter. yum!
how did you prepare for your easter celebration this whimsical wednesday?
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
trivia tuesday
trivia tuesday at the whimsey project! share any and all categories of trivia: not something you see every day, a person's name that matches their profession, unusual experiences, fun facts, whatever you've got! share!
NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERY DAY! living in the country, on an isolated 40 acres, there are no curtains on the windows of the house. one very early morning, as dawn was just breaking, i was in bed. suddenly i had the feeling that something was looking at me! i turned my head to look out the window. there was something looking at me! a deer was standing close to the house and peering through the window at me!
NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERY DAY! living in the country, on an isolated 40 acres, there are no curtains on the windows of the house. one very early morning, as dawn was just breaking, i was in bed. suddenly i had the feeling that something was looking at me! i turned my head to look out the window. there was something looking at me! a deer was standing close to the house and peering through the window at me!
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