The New 7

I don't think that Indonesia has another wonders of the world except Borobudur Temple, which is not a part of 7 Wonders of the World right now. But some information I found several days ago open my eyes widely that, Indonesia has one more candidate of wonder of the world, Komodo Island.

Every year new 7 Wonders of the world is change by a vote of world tarvelers and citizens. Of course, by this way people will only choose their country wonder candidate as New 7 wonders of the world. I just want to say that, it was so subjective. So, how to choose a building, area or site whether it can become a part of wonders of the world? It has to choose by and independend expert team. The team at least has to include on it, Archeologist, History Expert and other indepentend experts which is related to wonder thing and sites.

Today was the middle of April 2011, the voters time to time is continuing to vote the new 7 wonders of the world. But, is Komodo Island suitable to be a part of the new 7 wonders of the world? Komodo Island is an ancient island that still exist and can be seen in Indonesia, inhabited by ancient animals that have survived hundreds of centuries because of the isolated island. Komodo island is now used as a sanctuary site and the most famous tourist destinations in Indonesia with its wild animals, Komodo which dubbed as the Dragon.

Summertime

We are doing well here, enjoying our summer. We had some WONDERFUL cooler weather here a few weeks ago. In the 90s, if you can believe that ;) We took advantage of it by getting out for some walks with the 5 kids around our neighborhood. Although now, it's getting back to an "average" AZ summer day...100+ degrees :P

Jared had fun taking some swim classes earlier in the month. Now that they are over he and I spend our afternoons, while the girls nap, in our pool keeping up with what he learned. He is doing a great job, diving, swimming across the length of the pool, doing front and back glides, jumping in to the pool and swimming to the side. Good job Mr. P!

The girlies are doing well too. In fact, we just took them and Big Brother to the mall play area again this morning. They had a blast. Brielle still cried when we sat them all in there but she quickly got used to it and took off playing. She did stay close to Dad, though ;) I think we might make the mall play area a regular Saturday morning outing. Thanks to Mystique H for the idea! :)

We have 1 month until our little boy goes to Kindergarten! ACK!! I still can't believe it. He and I made a paper chain, like the ones you've probably seen or made for Christmas, counting down the days until his first day of K. We made it when there were 52 days on it. Now, only 30! He is excited for his new class, new friends, new teacher and new school. It will be fun for him, I know it. It will be weird and different for the Mama not having him at home :( BUT...I do have 4 little ladies that will definitely keep me and my mind busy.

We're also planning to take a family trip, ALL 7 OF US!, soon. Wow! I've been busy racking my brain organizing all of the stuff we will need to pack. We are so used to our "quad-friendly" home here that it is going to take some time for me to think of all of the stuff we will need for the girls. We're hoping it will be a fun and somewhat-relaxing getaway for us all. We'll see ;)

I thought I would post some things I've noticed about the kids these days. All 5 of them are so fun and doing/learning much! I love how God made each of them in his own, unique way!

Summertime

Track listing: SUMMERTIME BLUES / DON'T ASK ME WHY / JUKEBOX JESSIE / I AIN'T WAITING / SWEETHEARTS OR STRANGERS / TRAIN KEPT A ROLLIN' / MY WAY / YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL / ALL THE TIME / LONESOME LOVE STORY / PROUD MARY / CAROLINE

The new Porky’s Hot Rockin’ line-up sees Porky backed by legendary Restless brothers Mark and Paul Harman and his own brother John. Porky Coates has been one of my favourite acts of the last two years and Mark Harman has been a hero of mine for twenty odd years, so this much be a sure-fire hit record. Well, no actually, it isn’t the no-brainer you’d expect. In fact I’d have to say I found it a bit disappointing. I think the problem is that the rockers are too familiar and quite often his voice sounds a bit flat.

For me, the stand-out track is the pepped-up version of Elvis’ Don’t Ask Me Why. As with his brilliant cover of the King’s Angel, he’s taken an okay ballad, notched it up as gear and in the process made the song his own. He’s tried the same on the Jailhouse Rock ballad, Young And Beautiful, but it seems more forced and doesn’t worth half as well.

I’m not sure we need another version of Eddie’s Summertime Blues, but it’s a bit different in that Harman plays some jumpsuit era James Burton. They give Status Quo’s Caroline a good kick in the ass with Mark Harman playing some wicked guitar.

On the originals front we get Harman’s rocker Jukebox Jessie where Porky’s sounds like he eats Wurlitzers for breakfast. Porky’s own Lonesome Love Song is okay but I liked the western styled I Ain’t Waiting despite the lapses into Bananaramaville.

We visit a couple of Memphis’ best in Carl Perkins (Sweethearts or Strangers) and Johnny Burnette (Train Kept A Rollin’) as well as another nod to Eddie Cochran with My Way which again sees Harman in fine form. Sleepy’s All The Time is pretty poor and CCR’s Proud Mary is worse. On a positive note, I thought the album title was funny.

4More

Things were going so well. I actually have finished up the plaid socks. I need to block them properly...they are a little tight fitting and blocking will help (well, thinking the pattern through thoroughly before casting on...then recasting on...oh that would have helped.)

I don't know what it is...the inner knitter speaks and I think, yes...they WOULD be better if I would have...
And I don't listen. I swear it happens in every project. Yes, I learn things as I go and would apply the to "the next" project. It is always "if I were to knit these again...". Yet I knit things so quickly...why not rip back and make it right...er...um...near perfect?!?

So that is the story of the two different socks I have on the go.

Escher. I am knitting with Tanis's sock yarn. (I still need to tell you all about the frolic and my love for Tanis's yarn) I absolutely love this yarn and would highly recommend it. There is a rumor that Shall We Knit may be stocking it for those who are local!

So I knit the sock toe up to the heel. Then I couldn't decide on a heel so I knit the second sock up to the heel. Then...oh then...I decide that the toe is too short and they are a bit too tight. I should go up a needle size. Yup. I ripped both back and now have one at the leg.
I stopped knitting because they are a little tight on the leg. Yeah. So I am thinking that I should go up another needle size for my humongo calf...yet I am not sure so I have left it and started knitting....

The Cat Bordhi Spiraling Master Coriolis socks. I will be listening to Cat speak at a "sock talk" next friday so I should really have a pair of her socks under my belt...no? Well...I cast on with the a, b, c, d stitch markers and started the whirlpool toe. Well, I didn't like it...but the problem was really all the dang stitch markers. I don't like stitch markers, they get in my way. I know there are some really cute ones out there...so many talented people making stitch markers but I hate using them. I can't stand things dangling from my knitting. If necessary I use a very small metal circle one...just the circular top thingy...nothing hanging from it.
Anyway, back to the socks. I decided to make a regular toe with judy's magic cast on and away I went. I knit a little at monday's knit and chat..then continued the next day making a fabulous coriolis band...then realized that with this toe I can't make the band go up the leg.
Yeah...that is why she says to do the whirlpool toe.
I settled for the basic coriolis sock and turned the heel. Now I have decided it is too tight. It needs a few more stitches around...and the toe section should have been 1/4" longer.

I haven't ripped it yet...but I started a second sock with the proper toe and 4 more stitches.
All for 4 more stitches.
Yup, that is the way I am doing it now...near perfect.

Head Start

Vital Connections of the Midlands' Early Head Start Program is now enrolling infants and toddlers at two of its nationally accredited (National Association for the Education of Young Children) childcare centers, located in Arthurtown and lower Richland. These two sites have been granted funding for pregnant teen moms, low income mothers with infantsand toddlers, infants and toddlers with special needs, and infants and toddlers of Spanish descent.

The program will do health and literacy home visits as well as serve children at its two locations, and will officially begin in August.

Also needed are foster grandparents/classroom volunteers (English and Spanish speaking) to assist the licensed child care providers in the classrooms. Please call or email me with any questions. The potential families are welcomed to visit either child care facility for observation/and enrollment.

Best Walls

We should make space not only in our garden{s} for plants. Living greenery inside our homes has been known for decades to aid in cleaning our air, which we all know during winter with the house all shut up, the air can get rather stale. "The good news is that a classic NASA study found that common house plants could improve air quality. In fact, they reported that houseplants were able to remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours. The recommendation? Use 15 to 18 "good-sized" house plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter containers for an 1,800 square-foot house.

Plants can remove a variety of toxic air emissions including ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, xylene and trichloroethytene. Remember-the healthier the plant, the more purifying it will be." sourced from sixwise.

Spice up the average house plant look with a recent added interest of mine. SUCCULENTS! Their not just for "green roofs". Oh yes, the Earthy upcoming wedding has spurred this all on. Imagine, one of those moss planters from my last post with a few added succulents of purple tinge Rosettes, coordinating with the color scheme she has chosen. They would POP against the moss & odd Sedums.

This succulent bowl, arranged with candles, is a look I may very well incorporate to the outdoor decor. Very possibly, in my home before & after the big day:

Now lets hop away from the average containers used for our house plants and check out the

Living Walls! or more like Framed living art!

The best part of this version is that by using a picture frame and chicken wire over the moss, you drastically reduce the Modern art look by giving it more of a "Country Living" influence. PLUS by spreading out the low amount of succulents you may have {they do average just over $3 each online}, you spend less when combined with a Thrift store Frame. Just allow time to provide babies for filling it out. An ever changing piece visual.

YOU can make this Living indoor art by clicking over to Ready Made* for all the How to.
{ http://www.readymade.com/projects/framed_vertical_succulent_garden/next_step#steps }

Psst. This would be the time to start begging and passing word you are on the hunt for some succulents. Tell all your friends, your mom, your brother. The Post lady and your/their coworkers. There is bound to be someone willingly to bear these little gems into your hands. They are easy to care for & there is always someone thinning out the babies they produce. Oh! & if you come across an extra amount,especially purple ones, .... Feel free to send them my way! I promise to share their final locations in planned projects. sigh..the downfalls of being a semi hermit Lady... So few to beg succulents from!

Want something a little easier that even those who claim a black thumb can enjoy? Air plant living wall art!!

This style is far too modern for me but the idea & concept is rather Impressive by Flora Grubb Gardens

How about combining the two in a Living wreath?
"So your getting a Wreath & a little Garden, all in one".
The how to for this Holiday Everlasting wreath from Flora Grubb gardens " The Cutting Garden ":

I especially like the very detailed, {cough. cough ...lots of pictures} tutorial for an all out succulent wreath over at Sparrow Post for this one :

Be sure to check out the proper zone & needs before ordering succulents online.Explore away and get creative! Let the pieces above inspire you to experiment with things around you. Like the bowl idea? Why not try making a light weight Hypertufa bowl or make the trough shape to fit along that odd corner of a room? Fine Gardening has a very nice how to with visuals {did you really think I would have it any other way?}. The possibilities are endless.

The Holidays are fast upon us and I find I am not as productive in projects as I would like. My goal is to get some bowls & troughs made up this week as well as Help little Man BEGIN his present for Panda in the wood shop. He is making Bedside "Dog steps" for use by Ming the Peke being Panda's Bed is set very high up. He is using cedar shingles for the stepping portion with sides a solid wood, painted in the color of her theme. Now Ming the Peke can hop from bed to bed throughout the night without waking anyone up with her falling and whining.