Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween! Interesting facts!...


            

Happy Halloween everyone!  I have never been much of a Halloween person.  I'm not sure why.  I was when I was a kid, but as an adult, I can't recall dressing up once for Halloween.  I guess I'm just not into it.  I live in an apartment and no kids ever come here, so I just turn out the lights on Halloween and watch TV.  I don't think I have gotten a single trick-or-treater in three years.  I don't expect tonight to be any different.  I always buy candy, though, just in case that one or two kid come, if by magic, every year.  This year is no different.  I will eat the candy all by myself.  LOL

I found these fun facts on pumpkins that you may not know.  I do not know the author or I would give credit.

      Pumpkins are fruits.  A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a 
        member of the gourd family (Cucurbitacae), which also includes
        squash, cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.

       The largest pumpkin ever grown was 1,689 pounds. It was
        grown by Joe Jutras of North Scituate, Rhode Island and
        weighed at the Topsfield Fair GPC weigh-off in Topsfield, MA
        on September 29, 2007.

  
      The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio,
        Pennsylvania, and California.

       In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an
       ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

       Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."

       Using pumpkins as lanterns at Halloween is based on
        an ancient Celtic custom brought to America by Irish
        immigrants.  All Hallow's Eve on October 31st marked the end
        of the old Celtic calendar year.  On that night, hollowed-out
        turnips, beets, and rutabagas with a candle inside were placed on
        windowsills and porches to welcome home spirits of deceased
        ancestors and ward off evil spirits and a restless soul called
        "Stingy Jack".

Pumpkins originated in Central America and were a popular crop among Native Americans. Some tribes used the seeds for food and medicine and made sleeping mats out of dried pumpkin strips.  Besides making pies, American colonists cut off pumpkin tops and made handy edible bowls, filling them with milk, honey and spices and cooking them over a fire or hot ashes.   Pumpkins are 90-percent water and contain high concentrations of potassium and vitamin A.

               

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Photo Hunt #121 subject!


       

Photo Scavenger Hunt #121 will be due on
Sunday, November 4,
at 11:00 PM EST.
                                              
Our subject this week is:
  "Halloween or orange"

Please note
this is an extended hunt.  I wanted to make sure that everyone could get their Halloween pictures in on time!  Also, I know everyone doesn't celebrate Halloween, so I am giving you the option of the color orange.  Is your costume scary or fun this year?  Show us!  What about your children's?  Are you going to have a Halloween party?  PLEASE post your submissions by copying your FULL entry URL and pasting it into the comments section below.  If you have any questions about how to do this (or how to upload or post photos) do not hesitate to send me an email at valphish@aol.com.  Have fun!! xox

             

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Monday, October 22, 2007

"autumn" Hunt submissions!...


Photo Scavenger Hunt #120 participants

subject: 
"autumn"

The submissions this week are truly stunning!  Please stop by and visit and leave a comment if you can.  I wanted to thank the following journals for participating in this week's Photo Hunt:

    
Linda's World
(Linda)
    
Ye Olde English Posy
(Sylvia)
    
Footprints in the Sand
(Linda)
    
Sometimes I Think
(Krissy)
    
My Hug's Journal
(Mandy)
    
This and that, and hockey!
(Donna)
    
Photo Trek
(Greg) and here

I will return shortly with this week's Hunt subject!  Good Monday to you all! xox

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Photo Hunt #120 subject!...


Photo Scavenger Hunt #120 will be due on Sunday, October 21, at 11:00 PM EST.
                                              
Our subject this week is:
  "autumn"

Please note that
this Hunt is shortened.  I am very sorry about this.  I have had a bad flu.  I also wanted to let you know at this time that I am not able to post the last Hunt entries because a few of you sent me your submissions by email.  While I was getting my computer fixed, I lost ALL of my saved emails.  PLEASE post your submissions by copying your FULL entry URL and pasting it into the comments section below.  If you have any questions about how to do this (or how to upload or post photos) do not hesitate to send me an email at valphish@aol.com.   Again, I apologize for not being able to post the last Hunt entries.  I hope you find this Hunt fun!!  I know I will!!  I absolutely LOVE the Fall and its glorious colors!!  Are you having a vibrant Fall?  Show all of us what your neck of the woods looks like right now!

             

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

what's up with me, pics of Jonah!...


Good Sunday, everyone!  I haven't written a proper entry in ages, wow!  A few days after Jonah was born, my computer started acting up.  It was slowing down dramatically.  I took it to a friend to get it fixed and didn't get it back for a week!  I am shocked at how many emails can pile up when you don't check your account in this amount of time!  Then ten days ago I came down with asthmatic bronchitis and sinusitis.  I was also trying to help Chelsea with her two little ones while Desi was out of town.  It has been crazy!!  I have just been spreading myself too thin.  I have been trying to figure out what to do about this.  I need a personal vacation!  I can't do this when there is still too much to take care of.  I have decided that I am going to try to give the next two weeks to myself, and only myself, except when absolutely necessary.  I wonder if I can do this.  LOL  I have a messy apartment that needs cleaned, a body that still needs to heal, and a lot to catch up on on my computer.  One step at a time, right?  Today I wanted to share some pictures of Jonah with you.  I just got these a couple of days ago from Chelsea.  He is doing quite well.  Friday he weighed 8 lbs.  He does have a little sniffle that is going around, but other than that, he is just fine.  He likes to eat and sleep and sleep and eat.  LOL  Here is the little guy...

                   
        
                  

                   

                   

On another note, I realize I haven't posted Photo Scavenger Hunt entries from the last Hunt nor have I given you all a new subject in a few weeks.  I will be posting the entries and a subject tonight or tomorrow morning.  Thanks so much for your patience!!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  Hugs! xox

       

Friday, October 12, 2007

please welcome...

My brother-in-law, John (the one who had the bone marrow transplant), has started a new journal Too Stubborn To Die.  Please visit and give him a warm JLand welcome!  Thanks!

Sunday, October 7, 2007

F.Y.I...


In honor of Respect Life Sunday...

    
click here
    
click here
    
click here
    
click here

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