Time to Limb up for Spring! Proper Tree Pruning by M J Lechner

Early spring, before bud burst, is the perfect time to assess any small trees on your property.  A couple of things to think about as you walk around your yard:
Are your pruners in shape?  If not, its time to either invest in a good set of by-pass pruners or head to your nearest gardening center to have them sharpened. By pass pruners give you the clean cut you need when pruning. 
Do you spot any co-dominate trunks?  Now is the time to choose your leader and either remove or shorten the other branches vying for the top spot.  As hard as it is to pick, it will save you a lot of heartache in the future- especially when we have heavy wet spring storms!   Most limb failure in Colorado comes from unattended co-dominant  branches….

Are your small trees becoming exceedingly ‘decurrant’ or bushy?  We all want lovely rounded trees, but not too soon.  Delay the development of a decurrant form by maintaining the leader and selecting a few strong permanent branches higher up in the tree.
Are your branches ‘in the zone’?  For small trees, such as a Chanticlear Pear, you will want your canopy to be at least 5 feet up.  You can elevate the canopy by gradually removing the lower branches.
How’s your ratio? A good rule of thumb for any tree is to attempt to maintain a 60/40 ratio of crown to trunk.  That means the trunk should be a bout 40% of the total height with the crown comprising 60%.
Take advantage of this gorgeous weather to give your small trees ‘the once over’.  They will thank you by living longer, healthier lives in your gardens.

Review of The Salvage Studio

The Salvage Studio: Sustainable Home Comforts to Organize, Entertain, and Inspire is the perfect book to get you in the mood for Spring cleaning, creative organization and inspiration, and some very inspired eco-craftiness.

This book even made me head out to the local antique mall and resale shops to see if I could find some amazing stuff to get my creativity flowing. Unfortunately my trip was a bust but the book is still a must.

The Salvage Studio: Sustainable Home Comforts to Organize, Entertain, and Inspire has me wishing it was summer now so I could hit yard sales and flea markets with abandon.

Click here to continue reading.

THE 90'S HITS : REMINISCING MY COLLEGE YEARS, THE BEST YEARS IN MY LIFE

I was sitting at Hijau waiting for customers when this idea came and hit my head.  There were some 'Dangdut' and 'Keroncong' numbers being aired at the moment.  When I looked around, I saw young college kids sipping beers and having great time.  Oh how I envy them!

Then I remembered my college years and songs that we adored.  Doesn't matter whatever the beat or melody is, we had the tendency to record all nice songs in unused cassettes.  Hahaha!!  Yes, cassettes dear. :p Lame ain't it.  OK.  Cut time to cut the craps.  Let me list down the songs that were hits and not forgetting including those so-called one hit wonders.  I have summarized and finally came with these 5 selected hits.

Remember Chumbawamba's Tubthumping??? I get knocked down but I get up again, You're never going to keep me down!! Yay!  Jupiter goers, recall back, this is one of the club hits.

 Will Smith's Gettin' Jiggy Wit It.  Na Na  Na Na Na Na Na !!  Also a hit in Jupiter.  Whenever they had this on, I will surely run to the dance floor.  

The Wonders - That Thing You Do.  OMG!  Whenever we heard the first drum beats, everyone went crazy and screaming and started to dance!  We were so in love with this song and the movie too.

I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy and Faith Evans.  A confession to make.  I was able to memorize this song in 1997.  Shoot!  I can rap don't ya bet!

Pearl Jam - Last Kiss.  Eddie Vadder's mellow melancholic rendition of this one really drives us crazy.  A very sad song about an accident and the girl dies.  Before she dies, her beau gives her one last kiss.  Oh where oh where can my baby be, the Lord took her away from me... She goes to heaven and I've gotta be good, so I can see my baby when I leave this world.  *snifff* Tissue please!!

Last but not least, the best number of all taken from the OST of Armageddon.

It's none other than Aerosmith - I DON'T WANT TO MISS A THING!!!!  Oh, this song was played like a kazillion times during 1998 UiTM's carnival. 

Nah!  There you are.  Actually there are more good and popular songs during that era but those five are rated the best in my list.  Another additional information, all those songs are available in my MP3 player and handphone too.  Sorry, I don't keep many new songs like others, these are my jewels and I always cherish them as college years are the best years in my life like what I've mentioned in the entry.

With Love,

Dilly Giggles for Girls

Green health and beauty products abound but how many are there that cater just to the younger ones? I found one that offers unique and eco-friendly lip balms created just for girls.

Dilly Giggles is an inspired creation by a mom who wanted to give her daughter a safe alternative to the chemical-laden lip balms commonly found at local stores. It all started as a mother-daughter kitchen experiment that worked so well it grew into Dilly Giggles Organic Lip Balms for girls.

The fun and whimsical lip balms designs are catered to appeal to young girls. They come in four flavors: Magical Mint, Fairy Cherry, Sassy Citrus, and Cocoa Kisses featuring cute little critters on the labels- a mermaid, a fairy, a unicorn and a cat.

Click here to keep reading.

Stevie Nicks

A while back Lindsay Lohan recorded a song called Edge of Seventeen. I happened to see her do it on TV. I felt like I was watching a junior high talent show.

Just for the record, Stevie Nicks is the ONLY person who should EVER sing that song.



Stevie Nicks made this song famous before Ms. Lohan was born. I am sure she has many talents but I would suggest she leave this song to the professionals. There is only one and will only be one Stevie Nicks.



Stevie Nicks has one of the most distinctive voices in rock and roll. She is truly one of a kind. I saw her in concert one night and even though she was having a bad night she was still better than most anyone else I had ever seen.



If you have a few minutes, travel back to 1983 and listen to a live version of Edge of Seventeen. This is how it was done for real. And this was done on a stage -- not in a sound studio.

Teenie boopers can have their Lady Gagas and Lindsay Lohans. We had the real thing. And we were and are damn proud of it.

Colorado Cactus and Succlent Society's Show and Plant Sale by Dusty M

Specialized plant groups can be valuable resources to gardeners who want to explore subdivisions of the gardening world. Here in Colorado there are a host of organizations with special focus, from African violets and orchids to daylilies and dahlias, from water gardening to carnivorous plants. In these groups one can tap into a wealth of information, practical experience, and passion for particular plants and styles of gardening. Most of them are also a source of plants.

This weekend took me to the Colorado Cactus and Succulent Society's show and plant sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I'm planning a non-irrigated ornamental plot in my backyard and expect cacti and succulents to play a prominent role. So this seemed a good chance to get started.

First I had a look at the society's show, where 128 entries in several dozen cactus and succulent categories were on display. For the most, these were the non-hardy plants that live in containers and spend winters indoors here in our climate. (Those that grow outdoors, of course, aren't very amenable to being dug up in March and brought in for the show.) While some may not think of a cactus as an object of beauty, this was a lovely display. Though fearsome to the touch, many were quite appealing to the eye.

In the neighboring plant sale room another, much larger, kind of show was taking place. Here thousands of cacti and succulents among probably hundreds of species and varieties were offered for sale by their growers. Again, most were of the indoor, non-hardy type. My choices for outdoor planting were but a couple dozen. And the plants on sale were mostly in the small, starter size. I didn't want to think about how many years I'll have to wait to see their colorful blooms. I selected about a dozen cacti and succulents, including a couple of durable hens and chickens that I know I can count on to fill in some space as I wait on the cacti.

For more flavor of the event, go to the cactus and succulent society's web site,  where there are two short videos of the 2008 show and sale.

I plan to get a few more plants for my new bed on April 24. That's when the local rock garden group, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society, holds its plant sale at the Denver Botanic Garden.

Earth911.com Earth Day Contest

Check this out- I am giving away 2 signed copies of The Everything Green Wedding Book for this contest

Earth911.com recently launched a special section of its Web site to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The channel not only features 40 tips about reducing, reusing and recycling, but also hosts a Twitter contest beginning March 29 and ending in a giveaway on Earth Day, April 22.

“We hope that people participate in our contest not only to learn more about how to improve their waste output and environmental footprint, but also to encourage their friends, family, and followers to do the same,” says Colt Melby, CEO of Earth911. “This Earth Day should be a celebration not of what we will accomplish on April 22, but what we will do the other 364 days of the year.”

During the contest, two tips will be released each day on the Earth Day channel, counting down to Earth Day itself. By simply tweeting the channel’s Web address each day a new set of tips is released (http://earth911.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=83da47614bd8be66468397bfc&id=dab9a65664&e=e9a5d88bdb),

members of the Twitter audience will be entered into a drawing to receive eco-friendly prizes from organizations and authors such as:

- One home composting starter kit, courtesy of SunChips

- Two copies of Disneynature's EARTH, courtesy of Disneynature OCEANS

- One historic tree sponsorship, courtesy of American Forests

- One copy of "Ten Ways to Change the World in Your 20s," courtesy of author Libuse Binder

- One Interactive Boxed Set of stationery, courtesy of Ecosaurus

- Two desk clocks and one photo frame, courtesy of Corrugated Art

- One, certified CarbonFree® Certified GoECOlife™ SOHO 8

-Sheet ULTRA-QUIET™ Paper Shredder, courtesy of Carbonfund.org

- One copy of the e-book "Small Spaces, Fast Paces: New York Organizing Secrets," courtesy of author Sharon Lowenheim

- Three pairs of Performance Toesocks™ in CoolMax® EcoMade™, courtesy of Injinji

- One copy of "Celebrate Green!" courtesy of Celebrate Green!

- One iPad sleeve, courtesy of First World Trash

- One therm-o-tote, one acrylic cup, one stainless steel water bottle, and two reuseable grocery totes, courtesy of LittleFeet Big Feats

- One copy of "Suddenly Frugal: How to live Happier and Healthier for Less," courtesy of author Leah Ingram

- Two copies of "The Everything Green Wedding Book: Plan an Elegant, Affordable, Earth-Friendly Wedding," courtesy of author Wenona Napolitano

- Eco-friendly T-shirts, courtesy of Earth911.com

SunChips will also sponsor tips about newly introduced compostable products, as the company recently launched the world’s first 100 percent compostable chip bag that decomposes in 14 weeks when placed in a hot active compost bin.

The contest will culminate on April 22 when the winners from the giveaway will be selected. Those interested in participating can visit the channel for official rules, a list of prizes and daily tips to tweet and also follow Earth911 (@Earth911).

Easy Ways to Add a Little Eco to Your Easter

image coutesy of StubbyPencilStudio.com

Easter is right around the corner. Have you thought about greening Easter this year?

There are several easy ways to add a little eco to your Easter without much effort.

One of the biggest wastes when it comes to Easter is the baskets that get tossed in the garbage every year. This year keep the baskets out of the trash. If you use cheap throw away plastic baskets or other disposable containers every year think about finding a nice, sturdy basket instead that can be used again and again. I found heavy duty wicker baskets that get used year after year for my children. It’s an Easter tradition. Each child has their own basket that is refilled with goodies every year.

Click here to keep reading.

OH OH! FACEBOOK CAUSES OF MARITAL BREAKDOWNS? I.E DIVORCES, SEPARATIONS ETC.

Oh boy, what a finding that I found few months ago which I'd like to share here.  Everyone in the family nowadays owns a Facebook account and so do to the three of us - Papa, Mama & Gabby.   Yes, my 9 years old daughter is Facebooking too eventhough that she's on a passive mode because I monitor her all the times and she has promised to cut down her online activity.  We love Facebook because it connects old friends and allows users to make new ones online.  Don't you agree with that?

Do you know that now, Facebook is being blamed for an increasing number of marital breakdowns?  According to the articles, divorce lawyers claim the explosion in the popularity of websites such as Facebook and Bebo is tempting to people to cheat on their partners.

Suspicious spouses have also used the websites to find evidence of flirting and even affairs which have led to divorce.  One law firm, which specialises in divorce, claimed almost one in five petitions they processed cited Facebook.  I know this one person in my life who has a jealousy wife.  He had to close down his FB account when his wife can't accept his friendliness - joking and teasing other female colleagues in Facebook.  Sorry dude!  Your wife sucks!  haha...

According to Mark Keenan, Managing Director of Divorce-Online said: "I had heard from my staff that there were a lot of people saying they had found out things about their partners on Facebook and I decided to see how prevalent it was I was really surprised to see 20 per cent of all the petitions containing references to Facebook.  "The most common reason seemed to be people having inappropriate sexual chats with people they were not supposed to."

• Flirty emails and messages found on Facebook pages are increasingly being cited as evidence of unreasonable behaviour.
• Computer firms have even cashed in by developing software allowing suspicious spouses to electronically spy on someone's online activities.
• One 35-year-old woman even discovered her husband was divorcing her via Facebook.
• Conference organiser Emma Brady was distraught to read that her marriage was over when he updated his status on the site to read: "Neil Brady has ended his marriage to Emma Brady."
• Last year a 28-year-old woman ended her marriage after discovering her husband had been having a virtual affair with someone in cyberspace he had never met.
• Amy Taylor 28, split from David Pollard after discovering he was sleeping with an escort in the game Second Life, a virtual world where people reinvent themselves.

Phewww!  I guess this problem doesn't seriously occur in Malaysia and please say NO to it, I mean doing silly things that can cause innuendo in your marriage.  Facebooking wisely readers. 

Source:  www.telegraph.co.uk

With Love,

Sioux City Courthouse

A while back I drove to Sioux City to see the Woodbury County courthouse. This is the most unique and incredible courthouse in Iowa. It was designed by Purcell and Elmslie -- two students of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Prairie design. This courthouse was completed in 1918. You see references to World War I throughout the building.

This was THE picture I wanted to get. It is a distinctive light fixture on the second floor with the dome in the background.



Light many Prairie School Design buildings, they are not always over powering from the outside. One of the first things you do notice about this style are the windows.



There is often ornamental work on the outside of the building.



Here's a closer look at one of the doorways.



There are four large murals above the main lobby. In this image you can see a drinking fountain - it has a blue background.



Here's a closer look.



These are the steps going to the second floor. If you look really close, you can see the flags of seven countries. These were Allies in World War I.



You can see the flags in this photograph. During World War II, the Japanese and Italian flags were covered with black shoe polish. It was just very recently the flags of those two countries were revealed again.



Here's what a courtroom looks like. You won't see many like this. Notice the jury box is made up of four rows of three chairs each.



This skylight is the courtroom.



How 'bout these windows? I believe there are four courtrooms that look like this one.



Of particular interest was this display case filled with musical instruments.



Look at the sign.



The detail in the large dome is incredible. This dome is made of solid glass -- no plastic here!



Photographs do not do a building like this justice (pun intended). But they give you an idea. As Johanna would say, I was completely gobsmacked by this building.

Thanks for stopping by.

GOOGLE CHROME TRANSLATOR, I LIKE!!

Do you know that Google Chrome comes with an online translator?

Oh by the way, 'Kacang Kuda' is not horse bean.  It's CHICKPEA anyway.  *Craving for hot steamed chickpea now*



With Love,

DON'T TRUST FAKE BEGGARS!

I've got these pictures from my friend via email.  Taken somewhere in China showing how desperately people are nowadays plunging for money.  So let us scroll down the pictures together.

A lady with a man lying on her lap, the man looks very very ill and dying.  See the young man tipping money?  It's showtime!

OK.  The gig is off now.  Time to leave the place and unleash the drama king and queen.  Oh, don't forget to calculate the catch for the day.

La la la.... left right left right.... I wonder where they are heading to?

Oh, it's lunchtime.  "Towkay!  Two bowls of noodles!  Dry one!!" .  Thanks to all good Samaritans who have contributed before so these two rascals don't have to work hard like dogs, like us.  Well readers, life goes on!

With Love,

AN EARLY MORNING MEE JAWA EXPERIENCE @ LAI FORNIA CAFE, PADUNGAN

Holler peeps!

On Monday, Mr. Hubby and I were craving for something different.  We wanted to try this cafe by the name of  LAI FORNIA CAFE, located at Padungan.  Do you know City Inn? It's located just next door to City Inn.

This particular cafe serves halal food and the menu for that morning was - Roti Canai, Mee Kolok, Mee Goreng and Mee Jawa.  Mee Jawa?????!!! Yes, that's one of my favourites.  Mee Jawa, I heart you.  *love*.

Nah.  Look at my Mee Jawa.  Scrumptious and inviting.  RM3.00 and you will get this descent plate.  Slurrpss!

I'm addicted to caffeine so my morning would be dull without caffeine. *Checking yellow teeth* Haha.

Teeheehee.. This 'Abang Roti Canai'.  Did he have to be so seriously on one lovely Monday morning?  

OK.  Do visit Lai Fornia Cafe (I read it first as California Cafe, woohoo!) and try their nice Mee Jawa.  The gravy? Aaaahh.. heavenly thick.

With Love,