Chuckwagon Cooking Supply

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The article deals with the meaning and history of Chuck wagon which was originated from United States of America. Also it tells how Chuckwagon is used in the modern world and how the cook offs is keeping the old tradition alive.

Chuckwagon cooking was originated in United States (1866) after the Civil war by the cowboys. The work chuck is used as slang for food so it meant a wagon which carrying food for feeding cowboys and nomadic workers. After the war when lots of ranchers with the cattle were moving from Texas to the Midwest took a long time around three months to complete the journey. That time the cattle owners had to think about their meals thrice a day and hence of the cattleman Colonel Charles Goodnight invented a Chuckwagon. He purchased army surplus wooden wagon which was in the condition for doing a long journey and converted the back of wagon into a mobile kitchen with the help of his cook. The wagon had chuck box in which some light weight utensils and preserved food items were kept and there was boot which held Dutch ovens, grill racks and coffee makers. The food which was easy to preserve like beans, salted meats, biscuits as desserts and coffee was used as the Chuckwagon food. Soon the wagon gained popularity among the trail drovers in the west. Later on American Chuckwagon Association was formed to keep the culture of Chuckwagon preserved.

After 1990's because of new inventions and new techniques the cattle owners have no longer to travel for miles and miles and hence use of these wagons were stopped by them. But with the efforts of the members of American Chuckwagon Association many Chuckwagon cook off's organised in US so that people become aware of the history and events. Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium is one of the famous cook off's. Another one is Amarillo, Texas. These cook off's provide traditional Chuckwagon meals on wheels. Chuckwagon cooking supply is now in the form of camps for people who like adventures. Among these types of camps Cocklebur Camp cooking is very famous and a good experience. They use Dutch Oven Cooking while camping which takes you in the old days of Chuckwagon cooking. Sam and S.W. jointly with their boys scout friends formed Cocklebur cooking camps. These camps give an experience of Chuckwagon food style and their tradition. The food served is also absolutely Chuckwagon style that is biscuits, pancakes etc. From Dutch oven cooking and special delights of a wooden stove that includes chicken fried steaks, prime rib , homemade pies and other old time recopies. It's not like this that they only provide you with the food that cowboys were supplied but also give you the overview of western culture in detail. The camp is a really adventurous, and takes you back in the history. It is fun with the whole family where you can relish old cowboy time food and also in the similar environment. Hence it can be said chuckwagon cooking supply camps takes you in the past and familiarize you with the rich western culture.

Cheap Wedding Cake Ideas

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Cheap wedding cake ideas normally involve spending hours in the kitchen creating your wedding cake masterpiece. This is fine if you are a talented cook or have friends and family that are, if you don't then this could add to your wedding day stress. Stress is something to be avoided!

The cheats way to having a beautiful cheap wedding cake is to buy your cake, now that wasn't too much of a surprise but I don't mean the perfect wedding cake that is going to cost you hundreds. What you need to buy is pre-iced cakes - different sizes if you want tiers and cupcakes if you want a cupcake tower. The way you are going to make them your own is by decorating.

Have a look through wedding magazines and online and you will find that most wedding cakes are either unusual or simple.

The unusual cakes are really cakes that you would not associate with being a wedding cake; deep cheesecakes and chocolate gateaux spring to mind. The good thing about choosing this style is that it can easily be your wedding dessert and therefore saving you money on your wedding breakfast. You need to think about how you are going to display these cakes - the easiest way is to hire a cakestand with support for the individual layers and then you don't have to worry about stacking the cakes. If you went to a local baker and ordered 3 cheesecakes in different sizes it will cost you a fraction on the price of a normal wedding cake from the same shop. Cheesecakes are tasty but the traditional cake is normally thinner than you would want, so that it looks good in photos ask for it to be make deeper. To avoid the cheesecake spilling over the sides you can decorate the cake with lady fingers or charlotte sponges and then add more fruit to decorate each layer. Bunches of berries tumbling over the edge looks lovely.

Chocolate gateaux look great as wedding cakes and you can add your personal touch by decorating the sides with chocolate matchsticks or chocolate fingers then make chocolate shavings to scatter over the top. Berries look great with chocolate to add a touch of colour.

For those of you wanting a more traditional cake then it is worth going to the supermarkets and choosing their celebration cakes, these come pre-iced and on board ready to either stack or decorate.

For a very simple and beautiful look use flowers either real or sugar crafted. There are lots of people who love to create decorations with sugar craft, so ask around, somebody will know somebody!

Another way to decorate your cheap wedding cake is to use sugary crystallised petals and they are very easy to make yourself. You will need organic rose petals, egg whites slightly beaten and caster sugar. Brush the petals with the egg whites and then coat very generously with sugar, place them on a plate to dry overnight. You can use this process with fruit and leaves and it looks stunning. No one will know how easy it was.

The best way to come up with more cheap wedding cake ideas is to find your ideal wedding cake and then work out how you can re-create the look using shop bought cake and your imagination!

Challenges Facing Effective Early Childhood Development Education in Kenya

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Despite the growing importance of Early Childhood Education, there are number of challenges that have continued to pull down its effective implementation in developing countries. This paper briefly explores some key factors in Kenya's context. These include socio-economic factor, financial constraint, high pupil-teacher ratio and inadequate teaching and learning resources. Socio- economic factor. Malnutrition and ill-health are factors associated with the socio-economic factor. These factors can significantly damage the cognitive processing ability of children. Children whose processing capacity is impacted by ill-health and malnutrition may require more hours of instruction to learn various skills.

As such, implementation of early childhood education may prove critical especially in low income countries (van de Linde, 2005). Socio-economic differences affecting effective implementation of ECDE also cut across regions, with some being labeled 'marginalized' or arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL). Regional disparities have significant role in facilitating access to early childhood care and education, where enrollment levels in rural and marginalized areas are low in comparison to those in the urban areas. Children from the marginalized communities in rural Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) suffer from lack of access to early childhood education. One typical example is nomadic Maasai community, which is one of the communities experiencing the least access to early childhood education and care because of way of life and regional disparities.

Financial Constraint

Financial constraints have continued to have an impact on the effective implementation of early childhood education in Kenya. This could be attributed to Kenya's debt-situation. At macro level, the country has suffered from the heavy debt burden following its pursuit on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund fiscal policies such as the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs). It is reported that these debt-servicing programs is partly responsible for significant reduction in government funding for subsidized education, health care and school related expenses. The result has been that families bear more responsibilities in implementation of early childhood education programmers (Kipkorir & Njenga, 1993). Parents and the school community have to meet educational costs in terms of providing teaching and learning resources, paying teachers among other costs. This has continued to have a negative impact on the quality of Early Childhood Education in Kenya.

High Teacher -Child Ratio

Teacher child ratio has been a subject of much attention among researchers in relation to the factors facing teaching and learning process. Early childhood development education has not been left out. Research shows that teacher child ratio has continued to grow. On average, teacher child ratio for both 3-5 years old children and 6-8 years olds still remains critical. Teachers are not comfortable with the increasing number of children in their classes they handle (Dodge & Colker, 1992). Still with these high ratios, ECDE teachers are poorly remunerated and under the mercy of parents (most of whom have little or nothing to give).

Inadequate facilities and teaching and learning resources

Many ECDE centers lack adequate teaching and learning resource and facilities suitable for ECDE in their learning environment. These include lack of properly ventilated classrooms, furniture suitable for children, kitchen, safe clean water, play ground, toilets, play material and teaching and learning resources like books (International Association for the Education of Young Children, 1991).Lack of such resources negatively affects effective implementation of ECDE curriculum bearing in mind that creation of a sustainable learning environment helps deprived children to improve their academic performance (Offenheiser & Holcombe, 2003).

Conclusion

Investment in childhood development remains a noble cause not only for parents but also governments and development partners. This is mainly based on its very short and long term benefits in terms of improving school performance, child health conditions; promoting a long-term reduction of marginalization and social equality, ensuring that children born in relative poverty have the opportunity to reach their maximum physical, economic and social development potential. Thus, all stakeholders in education should embrace a participatory approach in trying to address the challenges facing Early Childhood Education in developing countries like Kenya. Sound policies should not only be formulated but effectively implemented so as to address access, quality, and equity issues. Such policies should also take keen interest in adequate resource allocation to meet the high demands of Early Childhood Development Education.

References

Dodge, D.T. & Colker, L.J. (1992). The Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood. Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies Inc. Kipkorir, L.I. & Njenga, A.W. (1993).

A Case Study of early Childhood Care and Education in Kenya. Paper prepared for the EFA Forum 1993, New Delhi, 9-10 September 1993. Retrieved May 20, 2011 from www.ecdgroup.com/ download/va1cseca.pdf. van de Linde, T. (2005).

Influencing and developing good policy in Early Childhood Development (ECD) amongst pastoralist communities in East Africa: The case of Samburu in Kenya. Retrieved May 20, 2011 /Publications/Theme%201/Pastoral%20conference/Papers/Tanja%20van%20de%20Linde%20paper.pdf Offenheiser, R. & Holcombe, S. (2003). Ch

Ceiling Light for Beauty and Function

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Ceiling light is the most common and fundamental type of lighting for homes and businesses as it's the main source of ambient light - the main illumination for a room. Adequate ambient light is essential for indoor living and working so it has to be high quality. Fortunately, you have a wide choice as ceiling lights take many forms such as fluorescent strips, chandeliers, recessed and non-recessed down lights, pendant lights and track lights. Here's your guide to getting this vital form of illumination right to create that desirable blend of beauty and function.

When most of us enter our homes and offices, the first thing we do is to switch on the ceiling light. The ambient light it produces plays the same role as natural light in providing overall illumination to a space. At one time, you were pretty much limited to a standard shaded bulb or fluorescent strip. These are still common, but nowadays you can also find a whole range of ceiling lights offering the ultimate in style and functionality.

Popular nowadays are down lights. These are mounted in the ceiling and can be used in all the rooms in a home. Downlights produce a soft, even illumination which creates a relaxing atmosphere in any room. You can get them with many different types of fixtures. Recessed down lights are very sleek and stylish. You can get bezels in a range of shapes and the lights are typically finished in white or brushed chrome for a clean, modern look.

Down lights fitted with a gimble make excellent accent lights to highlight special objects or areas in a room. The rotatable design allows you to focus the beam on the desired object such as painting or porcelain item.

When it comes to bulbs you have many choices including compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or halogen. CFLs are most suited to areas such as kitchens and dining rooms or external use where the lights need to be on for extended periods.

Halogen ceiling lights are very popular nowadays owing to their combination of energy efficiency and stylishness. These were originally designed for use as accent lighting; they're now popular as task lights for illuminating cooking spaces in kitchens for example.

The most celebrated types of ceiling lights are chandeliers which date back to medieval times and grace some of the world's most glorious buildings. Their enduring popularity is due to the shimmering blaze of luminescence they produce. Often, they're bought for their decorative value as much as their illumination. The good thing is, you don't have to live in a palace to grace your home with a chandelier; you can find affordable items to fit any room, whether coloured or crystal, in antique gold or polished brass.

Other popular options are pendant lights. These hang down from the ceiling and are perfect as task lights above a kitchen work space or a dining table, for example.

So, how to choose the most suitable ceiling lights?

In your home, each room will have different demands. Every room requires ambient lighting and your living room demands the kind of gentle relaxing light that downlights provide along with strategically placed task lighting, in the form of track lighting or pendant. You kitchen needs effective task lighting for cooking and your bedroom needs soft lighting that down lights provide to create the bedtime mood.

Carpet And Upholstery Need Utmost Care

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Lets face it, many homes in the U.S. utilize carpets and a wide variety of upholstery materials. Carpets are great to look at and very comfortable to the feet while upholstery materials used in some furniture can be very sensitive to harmful elements. This is the reason why both need the proper care and maintenance for you to enjoy their benefits for many years.

Here in Atlanta, maintenance of carpets and upholstery can be done by specialist companies. These firms may specialize only in carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning or restoring water damaged homes or in all three. It is best, sometimes, to get professional help in carpet and upholstery cleaning to make sure that every dust, dirt and harmful chemicals are removed.

An understanding of the different cleaning methods is vital in extending the life of your carpets and upholstery especially in Atlanta homes that have been water-damaged. It is important to note, though, that each method has its pros and cons and that there is no such thing as a standard method. Keep in mind too that no method is better than the other because each can give good results when performed under the proper conditions.

How often you should clean carpets and upholstery depends largely on several factors such as their use and soil conditions, constructional specifications, type of fiber, color and the like. But generally, carpet and upholstery cleaning should be done at least within a year or a year and a half of use. Vacuuming has been the most common way of cleaning but in the long run, this may not be enough.

In getting professional cleaning service in Atlanta, make sure that the company you hire is affiliated with professional organizations. Get referrals or ask references about their experience with a particular firm. You can also check your local business bureau to get information on how well a company responded to problems or complaints. Never be misled by ads promoting services that offer very low rates. Remember that quality work always comes with a price so you shouldnt scrimp on your carpet or upholsterys maintenance if you want to keep them for long.

The two most basic cleaning methods are the hot water extraction also known as steam cleaning and the dry cleaning. In steam cleaning, a hot water solution is sprayed on the carpet and then extracted using a wet vacuum. The extraction is done through the use of an equipment that is either portable or mounted on a truck.

In dry cleaning, meanwhile, chemical solutions are used to get rid of dirt. Basically, there are three types dry foam, dry chemical and dry compound. Dry foam utilizes a shampoo which is allowed to dry and then vacuumed. Dry chemical uses a solution and a machine that spins a big bonnet to absorb dirt. Dry compound makes use of an absorbent mixture that looks like wet sawdust with a machine brushing it into the carpet to absorb dirt. When dried, it is then vacuumed out.

Pro Touch Carpet Care specializes in cleaning carpets, rugs and upholstery in Atlanta. A family owned company, it is committed to providing quality and customer service by using technologically advanced systems in cleaning your home and office at reasonable rates.

Carbon Steel and Other Kitchen Knives

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When you're looking out for a great kitchen knife set, you need to take under consideration cost, the material of the knives, the types of knives that come with the set, and the maintanence of the knives.

Cost is something that cannot be helped, to paraphrase, your position is your budget. However , keep in mind that a quality knife set will last for longer, perhaps 10 years, while a less expensive knife set will need replacement after perhaps two years. A set will cost between 50 US dollars, and up to a thousand greenbacks or more for a top of the line set.

kitchen knives are usually made of one of the four following materials : stainless-steel, carbon steel, laminated ( mixture of carbon steel and chrome steel ), and ceramic.
The carbon steel knife is 99% iron, and 1% carbon. These knives are prone to rusting, though, and are higher maintenance than stainless steel knives. They are most often sharper though, than chrome steel, though also more bittle. Famous top manufacturers of carbon steel kitchen knives are Sabatier, Kikuichi, and Forshner but these knives are being distcontinued and less common. Hardness on the C scale for Carbon Steel knives is between sixty and 62.

chrome steel contains around 11% chromium, and is very well known as a material used for cutlery manufacturing. Type 420 and 440 stainless-steel is used for cutley, 440 being harder. 440 has a hardness on the C scale of fifty five. Within 440, there are 3 grades of steel utilized in cutlery. Going from more less carbon, and softer, they're a, B, and C.
The famous stainless-steel makers include global and Kasumi among the Japanese makers, and EU makers like Wusthof.

Laminated knive blades will try to create a balance of the properties of carbon steel, and stainless steep by having a sandwitch of the knife materials. Ceramic knives are even sharper than ordinary knives, but they're more brittle. Kyocera and Yoshi knives are among the ceramic knives available on the market.

cook's knife - This is the most vital knife in the knife set and should be used for most general kitchen tasks.
cleaver - this is used to chop and pound food. This is a heavy knife.
Bread knife- this is a special knife that is helpful to chop tomatos, and bread without crushing it.
Filet knife - used to filet fish with a thin and flexible blade.
Paring knife - used to chop or peel tiny fruits and vegetables.
Steak knife - either serrated or straight, these are used on the table for serving steak.

Maintaining carbon steel knives is more time intensive than stainless-steel. After cleaning carbon steel knives, it is suggested to cover them with some vegetable oil, gently, to stop oxidation. Avoid putting knives in the dishwashing machine, with a high variability in temperatures and strong detergents, the steel blade and even the handle can get affected.
The sharpness of the blade may decrease if the knife is dropped in the dishwasher.

when you are done using the knife, clean it right away so that the quality of the blade is maintained. Once the knife is clean, it should be stored in a knife block made of polyurethane, or wood. Make sure to use a cutting board of the same material to protect the blade.

Knives can be sharpened with a sharpening steel which is like a circular rod, or a block of stone called a sharpening stone. Modern electric sharpeners are safe to use on quality knives. When using an electric sharpener, make sure not to grind away too much of the knife. You want to sharpen your knives every three to {{six months.
Victoria is the owner of Wusthof Kitchen Knives page - part of a cool site about kitchen knives

Best Stand Mixers for Flexibility

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A quick glance at one of the most popular stand mixers, the KitchenAid, reveals nothing unusual or suspect about that iconic small kitchen appliance. The Artisan model seduces with its classic retro lines while its more statuesque sibling, the Professional, commands a certain respect.

But its when you take a look at its slightly quirky rival, the Cuisinart standing mixer, that you are likely to do a double take. First off, you could be forgiven for assuming that you are staring at a sewing machine if it werent for the puzzling presence of a mixing bowl and whip accessory.

A closer look reveals an unexpected feature, one that hides the first of the Cuisinart stand mixers dirty little secrets: a hinged cover right on the front that hides a slow speed power outlet used to connect a large meat grinder or a pasta maker attachment to the mixer, giving it much greater flexibility. Suddenly, this mixer appears more imposing.

Lifting the front cover, you cant help but notice a second top cover with not one, but two surprise outlets. The mid speed power outlet located towards the front allows for a citrus juicer to be attached, while the high speed power outlet towards the back lets you connect either a blender or a food processor attachment.

Cuisinart stand mixers could be forgiven for having identity crises or sprouting multiple personalities. If you looked like a sewing machine operating under cover of a mixer and performing as a juicer, blender, food processor, meat grinder and pasta maker, wouldnt you get confused? But not the Cuisinart. With a super powerful 800-watt motor, it takes everything you throw at him in its stride.

At first blush, the KitchenAid mixer appears rather puny. Just a simple mixer doing its job doing it well mind you, but still just mixing. No competition here. But wait - look! What is that odd cover on the front of the mixer? Well, it turns out that the KitchenAid has its own little secrets too, an attachment hub that can house over a dozen attachments:

. ice cream maker
. pasta maker
. pasta sheet roller
. pasta roller set
. pasta cutter companion set
. pasta excellence kit
. pasta press
. ravioli maker
. grain mill
. food grinder
. food tray
. sausage stuffer
. fruit & vegetable strainer
. slicer & shredder
. citrus juicer
. can opener

Rather impressive, isn't it? A quick glance at this list, and it becomes obvious that KitchenAid stand mixers have quite the weakness for pasta. Can't say I blame them, and ravioli is up there on my list of favorites.

And let's not forget about the power of ice cream. Nothing tastes like home made ice cream. Add a little liqueur, and you have a sophisticated dessert which your guests will forever remember. If you want to become the entertaining guru in your circle of friends, look no further.

On the other hand, the Cuisinart stand mixer offers the option of adding a blender, juicer and food processor as attachments. But are they the types of small kitchen appliances you would select if you were buying them separately? For example, would you prefer a masticating juicer for health reasons?

Something else to keep in mind is that those stand mixer attachments are all sold separately. But still, you would have to fork out a lot more money to purchase individual small appliances to do the same job. You would also need more storage space so unless you have a large pantry, be prepared for a significant portion of your countertop to pretty much vanish.

When all is said and done, I guess choosing the best stand mixer for your needs will depend on the kind of parties youre planning on throwing.

Best small air compressor

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Are you planning to buy a small air compressor? Well if this is the case there are some things that you should have knowledge of so you can be able to purchase the right machine for you. You need an air compressor that is functioning well, and that will serve you the right way without giving you any difficulties. Also, you should acquire an air compressor that is capable of supplying you with enough air. Therefore before you head to the store to purchase an air compressor, ensure that you have full knowledge of what to look for and how to go about it. Do enough research on the requirements of a good air compressor and the parts it should have as well.

Lets look at some guides that you can follow when purchasing a small air compressor.

Your needs.
One of the important things to consider when selecting an air compressor is your need. You need to, first of all, determine why you need to purchase the air compressor so as to ensure that you have enough information of the type you need to buy. This will also help you obtain the right one such that you will not have to go back to the shop after a while ones you realize that the device you bought is not suitable for you.

Consider the size and the weight.
This is another great tip you should put in mind when heading to the shop. Do you want a machine that is small? You should know the exact size that you require. And this can be determined by the amount of air you need from the device.

Type of power.
There are a variety of air compressors whereby some uses fuel others uses electricity. Therefore it is essential that you know the kind of source of energy that is the convenience for you. Would you prefer the one that uses electricity or you prefer the one that uses fuel? Well, determine this before you head to the shop to purchase your air compressor.

Spare parts.
This is another thing you should put into consideration before you purchase an air compressor. It is advisable that you buy a brand that has components such that in the case where the machine gets a fault you can easily have it replaced without having to purchase another device. Also, ensure that the spare parts are readily available in your area.

Make sure it has all the functioning parts.
Before you purchase your portable air compressor, it is advisable that you make sure it has all the functioning parts of the gadget. A good air compressor should have horsepower cubic feet per minute and pounds per square inch. Without all the three sections the air compressor cannot function and therefore it is advisable that you test it while at the store to ensure it has the three listed parts and they are working well too.

The price.
Price is another consideration that you should put in mind. You need to buy a machine that offers a reasonable price such that you can be able to afford it. If you find a machine that is sold at a too low price, you should think twice as the quality may be poor. Just make sure that the offer of the machine is pocket-friendly.

Benefits of Using a Microwave Oven

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Take a look at a normal kitchen and what do you see? Basically the same stuff scattered all over the vicinity. With a traditional kitchen you can most probably find stoves, baking ovens and even grills being collaborated together to perform culinary functions. However these bare bone facilities take up large physical spaces and can be a chore to operate. What if you could combine all these equipment together into one? With that in mind, you can always look to a user friendly microwave oven to fulfill all your culinary desires.

The benefits of a microwave oven are plain for everyone to see. In a microwave, a magnetron produces the microwaves to heat up your food. These microwaves are passed and reflected evenly upon the metal cavity of the oven. Your food specimen would then absorb these reflected waves and evenly cook and heat up.

Now you might think whats the big deal with microwave cooking? You will probably think that cooking with fire is practically the same as cooking with microwaves since the food gets cooked and heated up eventually. Well you could not be more wrong. Of course your food will cook, but cooking with microwaves is essentially healthier compared to conventional cooking. Conventional cooking might endanger the nutrients in your food such as destroying the amino chains or severely diminishing the macronutrient content of your food specimen. Microwave ovens usually produce microwave frequencies of around 2400 MHz, a frequency perfect for cooking as it ensures that all the nutrients and vitamins inside your food will remain unaltered.

For the environmentalist, a microwave oven would be a must have tool for your kitchen. A microwave runs on electricity from your conventional power plugs. Although they might consume higher levels of electricity, but you would only need to operate it when you cook something. When put into comparison with other cooking appliances, the microwave oven would win hands down when it comes to environmental friendliness. Cooking stoves usually run on limited gas supplies and they are not very friendly towards to environment.

Besides being friendly towards the environment, microwave ovens are also very friendly towards your resources, and by resources I mean time and money. Microwave ovens are usually a one off purchase and they require very little maintenance. Should problems persist, then your local supplier or manufacturer would easily fix those problems. The intermittent usage of electricity would save you a lot more compared to buying and storing gas supplies for your stove. On the other hand, microwaves are also very user friendly kitchen appliances and they require very little effort to handle and operate. Modern microwaves come with digital displays and knobs together with on board computers to help calibrate cooking preferences for your culinary specimen. By just pushing buttons and turning dials, you can have your meal ready in an instant.

Microwave ovens are usually compact in nature, with sizes ranging to 2.5 cubic feet. They are usually placed on tables or counters and would fit in almost corner. If your kitchen is clattered with miscellaneous appliances, then a microwave would definitely save you some space. Besides, such an oven would enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen too. It is time to make plans and draw out a budget for your new microwave oven because it is not something that you would want; it is actually something you will need.

Becoming More Confident With Color

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If you want to become more confident and skilled at creating better color schemes in your home, you'll want to master the language of color. The key to combining colors with great success is to learn the three characteristics of color-value, temperature, and intensity. I don't want you to be intimidated by the word hue, it's just another name for color. The other skill we'll talk about is combining colors.
So first, let's learn about "value", which is merely the lightness or darkness of a color. Keep in mind that light values expand a space, while dark values contract it. You would do better to use Robin's Egg Blue in a small room as opposed to Navy Blue, for example. There are an infinite number of values in the world of color today, from the lightest lights to the darkest darks. So you are not limited in any way when it comes to color choices.

Anyone can easily understand the term "temperature". It invokes a feeling of warmth or coolness. You'll find, if you were to draw an imaginary line across a color wheel, the colors ranging from yellow-green to red-violet invoke a feeling of warmth. They are referred to as "advancing" colors because they appear to be closer. They actually draw you into a room. While the colors that are on the right of a color wheel, considered as "receding" colors, appear more distant and create a calm, cool and spacious feel.

The third characteristic of color is intensity, which describes the brightness of a color.There are 12 colors on the basic color wheel and they are all fully intense, or what is referred to as "saturated". You'll find that lower-intensity colors are more muted.

You can become more comfortable with this particular color distinction by picturing two different versions of your favorite color. If we use a yellow-green for example, Lime would be much more intense than something like Willow.

Use the same intensity of colors to unify your space. By choosing colors that have the same intensity, your room will seem more put together than a room with mixed intensity colors.

You may have trouble, as some people do, with deciding the intensity or value of a color. If this is so, simply ask yourself first, if the color you are looking at is light, medium, or dark. That would be the value. Then proceed to distinguish if it is bright or dull. That would be the intensity.

Next, we will explain color combinations. The word "monochromatic" refers to using one color in your room design. Keep in mind that monotony can set in quickly in a one color space, but if done well- and we found if it is mixed with a lot of white, it can be done quite successfully.

An "analogous" color scheme is achieved by taking colors that are side by side on the color ring, such as yellow, yellow-orange and orange. Using one common color is the key to creating an analogous scheme and adding an array of textures. patterns and finishes will help bring more variety to the look.

"Complimentary" colors schemes will be those that are created by using opposite colors on the wheel, such as blue and orange, or yellow and violet. If you choose to use full-strength colors be sure to repeat them liberally throughout the space. It certainly doesn't hurt to wonder a little into colors that are near compliments to ease up on the sometimes, overpowering look.

Our final color combo is "complex" color schemes. This is created by choosing colors that are evenly spaced around the wheel. You can use a three-color, or " triad" combo, such as yellow, blue, and red. You can also create a four color scheme which is referred to as a tetrad.

Whatever the look you're going for, we hope you have gained a little insight on the use of color. Choosing the right color scheme for your rooms is crucial to the way you will feel in your new space and it should be discussed and decided on by the whole family. The truth is, different personality types should also be considered when choosing a color scheme since colors have a way of making us feel calm or excited, so start with a sample and work your way up from there. Good luck in your endeavors.

Diane has enjoyed decorating since she was a child. While she leans more toward a french country style, she finds beauty and interest in all decorating styles of today. She recently developed a liking for the industrial style and the industrial items she has recently discovered. She believes it is important to embrace new ideas and new creations and tries to keep an open mind when it comes to styles and trends. She recently launched the website DMS Industrial Furniture to keep her busy doing something she loves since she has recently retired. You can join her in her new found love of the industrial/urban style by browsing and perhaps choosing a new piece for your home today.

Barge Types Know Your Spitzen From Your Klippers

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For a newcomer to the barge holiday, all barges may look alike. However, there are numerous types of vessels with distinct differences in their histories as well as designs. These models evolved over 200 years, adapting to changing conditions and technology. In Europe, canals the home of barges link the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Here is a brief overview of the most common vessels you might come across on your barge holiday.
Tjalks and Klippers

The tradition of this barge can be traced back to the seventeenth century. Originally wind-powered Tjalks were built out of wood; in the nineteenth century, boat builders began to consider the possibilities of iron and in the twentieth century steels properties were harnessed by the industry. Therefore, modern versions of the Tjalk are built from iron or steel, but retain the curved stern of the wooden original.

Designed for the fast-flowing estuaries and rivers of Holland, the tough Klipper has always been constructed from iron or steel. The use of steel leads to a stronger vessel, though this introduces the danger of corrosion. The Klipper rudder sits below a rounded stern and is steered by wheel.

The Beurtmotor and the Luxemotor

The Beurtmotor was used for both passengers and cargo and often travelled to a reliable timetable, replacing steam-powered river ships. It became even more popular with the introduction of the diesel engine as their scheduling was more consistent than ever. Like all other barges, the Beurtmotor was constructed to navigate shallow waters anywhere between 3 and around 10 feet of water. However this was not a limitation, as most inland waterways in western Europe conformed to these requirements.

The trailblazing Luxemotor was built at the beginning of the twentieth century and was the first barge to have its own engine. Riding on the success of the Beurtmotor, they were quite luxurious with plenty of room including a kitchen and a toilet as well as a pointed bow ideal for more exposed waters.

The Spitz

The Spitz has a long and varied history. They were built to the Freycinet standard imposed by Napoleon during a time of standardisation, and the vessel was first towed by hand (or horse). However, after the Second World War many of the Belgian Spitz vessels were kitted out with engines often decommissioned tank engines. With a few adjustments at the stern to improve steering, this motorized version of the Spitz was designed for the canals of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

European Waterways: Our Fleet

The European Waterways fleet includes barges with a wealth of history behind them. A barge holiday suits both the history lover and the cruise enthusiast. For example, LArt de Vivre the oldest of the fleet is an English model and was built in the First World War to supply allied troops in the Somme. The beautiful Rosa is a Dutch Klipper that carried various cargos in early twentieth-century Holland. Both are now enjoying retirement cruising the gorgeous waterways of France, lovingly restored in a way which celebrates their fascinating heritage.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury barge holiday itineraries in France and other great destinations. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.

Bar and Kitchen Stools, The Seat Mechanism

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As I promised in my last article I will write about the mechanism of the stools. You have three possibilities and all of them are good, depending what your preference is. By doing the research on the swivel mechanism it is hard to believe, how far back I had gone to find the first swivel stools.
If you go into www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bar stools, you will find all kinds of definitions when did the swivel arrive here in USA, here is some of it. According to Wikipedia the swivel was introduced or invented by Thomas Jefferson.
I guess according to history he may have seen this mechanism in Europe but he made some improvement. In some instances it has been said, that the swivel chair was introduced to the USA by Kaila Cappello. It is also mentioned that Henry Jacques (Jack) Gaisman (December 5, 1869 August 6 1974) was a philanthropist and inventor of the safety razor, the autographic camera, and over one thousand other patents, which benefited items such as swivel chairs, mens belts and carburetors.
Well there you have it. Lets move on to what I am covering, in our business we have three different options which are:
The Standard stool mechanism.
The Swivel stool mechanism.
The Memory Return Mechanism.
Lets talk about...
The Standard Mechanism.
It is a very simple, straight forward design I had mentioned before. It will not rotate for obvious reasons. But it is this feature that makes the stool a very attractive piece of furniture.

Swivel Stool Mechanism.
The 12 gauge hot roll steel plate on all our mechanisms makes this steel very strong and durable. It will rotate 360 degrees on 12 smooth-gliding carbon steel ball bearings. In a patented race way. And they are available as flat no pitch, or 3-degree pitch.
These plates are 7" square with a mounting hole pattern of .375" corner slot of 5.25 centers with our hardware, you can be assured of a lifetime of trouble free use. Use in the toughest residential environment, in the recreational area or business.

We put top grade materials into the hands of welders, and other highly talented people in the construction of our seating products. Perhaps no other factor makes a greater contribution to the long life and dependability of your swivel seating, than the selection of swivel itself. As you can read, this is one the most important parts of the configuration of the Bar, Counter, or Gaming Stools. Combined with great fabrics and arms, will make the stools look very appealing to the eyes.

Memory Return Mechanism. -
Also as I have mentioned on the Swivel, it is built with all quality materials. The difference is that this mechanism is very unique. Let me mention that this style of swivel is used on all the stools manufactured with wrought iron, and swivel stools with backs.
These plates are 7" square with a mounting hole pattern of .375" corner slot of 5.25 centers with our hardware, you can be assured of a lifetime of trouble free use. Use in the toughest residential environment, in the recreational area or business.

The memory Return for Bar, and Counter stool swivels rotates 90 degrees to the left or right, on 12 smooth-gliding carbon- steel ball bearings. This mechanism is in a patented raceway. And this is the unique part of this mechanism, when the seat is not being used; the mechanism automatically swivels to return to the zero position with its advanced spring technology.

Ladies and gentlemen it has been my pleasure to explain a little bit more about this type of mechanism. Let me mention these three types of Mechanisms can be used in all our stools. It is my recommendation to use the swivel in all the different styles (excluding standard frame of course). And the memory return too, (except for the back less) because I dont see the necessity there. In addition let me tell you, these Mechanisms are built here in America. And they are guaranteed for a one year, since the date of purchase
Like always I say,

Baking Ideas for Summer Foods

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The summer is a great time of year for baking. The natural response to the warmer weather would be to enjoy the outdoors rather than baking in your kitchen, but it is quite the opposite. Although you are working in the heat of the oven, the snacks you can create are enough to cool you off while enjoying the process of creating deserts yourself. The countless flavors that are fitting for the summer atmosphere will make you forget about the heat in the kitchen. Many baked goods also do well when served cold or frozen, making them perfect to help you cope with and enjoy the summer. When it comes to baking in the summer, fruit is often the centerpiece. Strawberries, mangoes, limes and a wide variety of melons are commonplace. Homemade cream mixed with berries also finds its way into many summertime desserts. Muffins and pastries with exotic fruit flavors also stand out this time of year. Then there are the cakes. From decadent to fun, there is an abundance of variety available when it comes to summertime cakes. Using fruit for baking is wildly popular in the summer. The sweet juicy flavors refresh the palate and provide a wonderful touch to recipes that fit the warm weather. Making jam is also popular in the summer. Taking your favorite fruits and turning them into jams and preserves is not only delicious, but also relatively easy. It is a baking activity fit for the entire family. If you really want to make the activity outstanding, bake your own bread to go along with the jam. You can even bake the bread over a fire when you are out camping for a perfect culinary adventure. Pies are also a popular use for sweet, summertime fruits. If a classic pie does not quite fit your style, you can use piecrusts, cookie dough or even basic pizza dough to make fruit pizza. Make the dough yourself, use yogurt or a similar spreadable food for your sauce and spread fruit around the dough to make an irresistibly sweet delight. Muffins and pastries are also very popular baked goods for the summertime. Mixing your favorite fruits into your favorite variety of muffin dough can make a perfect summer breakfast. Peaches, strawberries, raisins and bananas make for wonderful ingredients in your muffins and pastries with these fruits are a perfect baked good for your sweet tooth. Kiwi, pineapple and blueberries also go wonderfully in your muffins and pastries in the summertime. A great part of summer baking is cakes. Fresh fruits find their way into cakes as well. Banana cakes, strawberry shortcake, pineapple cakes and others are all extremely popular when the weather heats up. Fruit filled cheesecakes also tend to be baked frequently in the summertime. Including ice-cream with your cakes is a great way to keep everybody cool. Another summertime trend is making cakes in exotic shapes. Whether it is a watermelon cake both in flavor and in design or a towering castle of confectionary delight, the options for cake design in the summer are infinite. Other popular elements of design are flowers, butterflies, vines and collections of fruit. As if the fruit muffins, pastries and cakes are not enough, summertime baking also features includes ice cream. Bake some French toast or Belgium waffles then add your favorite ice cream, fresh fruits and any other toppings you may enjoy. You will have yourself a dish to cool the summer heat and delight your taste buds simultaneously.

When you have exhausted these recipes, you can try making your own scones or fried dough. Another option is to make your own jam to go with your dough. If there is still more that you want to do, try fondue. Melt some chocolate or peanut butter and add in your homemade jams, this allows you have all the dips you could need. Bake some fried dough, mix in fresh fruit, and dip it all together to liquefy your dessert.

Baking in the summer has endless possibilities. However, in the end it all boils down to using a wide variety of fresh fruits. Whether you are making jam, bread, muffins, pastries, and cakes or enhancing your ice cream, the key to baking in the summer is in the fruit.

As Easy As 'ABC'; How To Manage Your Time With Priority Lists

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Is time an enemy you constantly battle?

Do you struggle with:

* Procrastination?
* Indecision?
* Disorganization?
* Mental Overload?

Do you find you aren't getting done everything promised or are 'always' forgetting to get things done?

A priority list can help tackle and control these chronic problems.

How does a Priority List Help?

The priority list is a simple and effective way to organize your responsibilities and goals on paper. By creating the list on paper you:

* Free yourself from trying to keep everything in memory.
* Have a visual list to help stay on track.
* Get the satisfaction of crossing off tasks when they are complete.

Priority lists are extremely useful when needing to use time more efficiently and/or organize daily responsibilities more effectively.

Creating a Priority List

To create a priority list, you need something to write your list on; a tablet, paper, planner, or journal book all work equally well. Pick something that is easy to carry and use throughout your day. If you are already using a calendar planner feature on your phone or handheld, you might try using the task list to keep track of your priorities.

Begin by dividing your paper into three parts so you can keep three different lists. Mark them "A", "B", and "C' respectively.

Next, consider the things you are to accomplish. This is a list of all those things you are responsible to accomplish and all those things you want to accomplish. For each item that you come up with, decide if it belongs under heading A, B, or C.

A = 'A'bsolutely must be done today list

Use the 'A' list to keep track of things that must happen today. If the task is so big that it runs past today, try breaking it down into smaller chunks so you can capture what parts of the task you plan to accomplish today. If the task does not have to be done today, then move it to the 'B' list.

B = 'B'est done soon list

Use the 'B' list to keep track of important tasks, events, or deadlines that require some action, but do not have to be done today. For example, you need to purchase show tickets before Friday and today is Tuesday. It is a task that needs to be completed if you want to go to the show, but doesn't have to be done today.

C = 'C'an be done anytime list

Use the 'C' list to keep track of things you want to accomplish but that have no pressing time frame. The 'Can be done anytime list' is normally for those things you want to do rather than things you are responsible for doing. For example, a letter you've been wanting to write to a friend or an article you've been wanting to read. The 'C' list is best used for small things, or things you can work on in small chunks of time. Take 'C' list materials with you throughout your day so that if you find small bits of time and cannot work on 'A' or 'B' tasks, you can work on your 'C' list.

Reality Check
Once you have created your list, give it a reality check. Can your 'A' list really be accomplished? If not, regroup and re-prioritize. It doesn't help to set yourself up for failure from the beginning. If it is doable but overwhelming, check the list carefully to see if any 'A' or 'B' list items can be moved down the list or crossed off all together.

Using the Priority List

Use your list throughout the day to schedule and organize your hour to hour activities. The 'A' list items are tackled first since they must be done this day. If the 'A' list is complete, or cannot be tackled at the time, look for items first in your 'B' and then in your 'C' list. If additional tasks come up, consider where they need to be on your list and enter them in. Every time you finish a task, cross it off from your list before tackling the next item.

Updating your Priority List

Updating the priority list day to day works exactly like creating a priority list except you begin by reviewing the tasks not crossed out from the day before. When moving them to today's list decide whether their priority status needs to be changed. The priority list should be updated every day to be effective.

TIPs on Creating your Priority List

* Plan for your wellness. Include time in your priority list for family, friends, fitness, play, down time, and spirit.
* Break down large unwieldy tasks into smaller chunks. Rather than 'clean the house', list out vacuum upstairs, finish dishes, clean the kitchen, dust the family room, etc.'
* Check off items on your list as you complete them. It helps to review your accomplishments.
* If you battle procrastination, plan in rewards (things you want to do) for accomplishing 'B' task items.
* Find a space to create and update your list. Use the same space everyday if you can. It helps cement the habit.
* I personally use a tablet notebook to keep my priority list. I keep my 'C' items on the front page because these are things I want to do. If I keep them on the front page, I find I am more creative in finding good times to do them. I just use the same page every day until it gets full. I use a fresh sheet of paper everyday for my 'A' and 'B' list items. This forces me to copy down my 'B' items again and decide if they still belong in the 'B' list. It also alerts me to any 'A' items that somehow didn't get done and may need immediate attention.

TIPs on Managing your Priority List

* Use a planner to block of time for major activities. Blocking out time helps to manage incoming responsibilities.
* Take time to consider your larger goals in life if you find each day overwhelming even after creating a priority list.
* Add new items as they come in. This habit will free your mind from trying to remember everything you want to accomplish. A secondary benefit to adding in new items as they come in is that it builds a routine of considering how realistic adding new tasks to your plate really are.
* Take 'C' list materials with you throughout your day so that if you find small bits of time waiting to work on 'A' or 'B' tasks, you can work on your 'C' list.

Take Control of Your Time and start using a Priority List Today!

Are You Using The Slushie Machine In The Right Way

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Slushie cocktails are a rage today - so much so that you might as well find it impossible to imagine birthday parties or big get-togethers without the slushie corners around.

Now, since the slushie machines come in a variety of configurations thanks to the different brands of devices out there, there is a lot of confusion regarding the correct ways in which these appliances can be used.

Are You Opting for Slushie Machine Hire?

Are you hosting a birthday party for your kids? Are you in talks with a party organiser? Do you want to hire single or double bowl slushie machine for your party? If yes, then make sure you are going through this primer because it will acquaint you with the correct ways in which you can use a slushie machine. Read on to unravel.

Now, it should be noted that questions regarding the correct use have cropped up from time to time merely because most of us have struggled with its use. Throughout these years, we have been convinced that using these machines remains an elaborate affair.

You necessarily don't have to go through the difficulties. Starting from preparing the cocktails, fixing the taste, then pour it in the machine only to wait eternally to get the thing cold enough to achieve the right texture and then taste it just to find out that it's not what you want and eventually follow the entire process all over again.

Is It Difficult to Operate the Slushie Machine?

Using a slushie machine for a birthday party in Sutherland Shire is not really about this ordeal. There is a set formula which can help you do away with the trial and error method.

Let us tell you that it takes around thirty to forty minutes for the machine to achieve the consistency desired by most of the customers out there. Follow these few simple steps:

Premix the right amount of water to pave the way for the right consistency.
Choose 2 x 5 litre bottles for the mix.
Since the slushie machine is depleted make sure you are making efforts to minimise the refreezing time by topping up the barrel with premix once the previous blend reaches halfway.
This will ensure that your guests are not prepared to wait too long to be served.

Are You Talking to the Bartenders for Help?

One of the practical ways of using the machine correctly would be to reach out to a bartender but only when you know that he is an expert at what he does. Frankly speaking, most of the bartenders are still struggling with the trial and error method of preparing cocktails that we have so far tried to do away within this article.

The experts have admitted that their initial interviewers with the bartenders had convinced them that they were as confused. So, make sure that you are choosing your guide carefully. Hopefully, this primer has been of help.

Do keep on reading for further insights in this regard.

Arch Bonnema - Christian Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

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. ---By Julie Lyons Arch Bonnemas mission couldnt be plainer. It encircles the towering ceiling of his McKinney home, inscribed in gold letters: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress Though Bonnema, 56, has launched several successful businesses and played an important role in the early success of the film The Passion of the Christhe purchased all of the seats in Planos Cinemark Tinseltown 20 for opening day, and gave away the 6,000 ticketsorphan homes are the focus of his time and money today. Since 1991, he and his wife, Sherry, have tithed a minimum of 50 percent of their finances and work hours to missions, including their own ministry, My House. Theyve partnered with longstanding local ministries in Uganda, Kenya, India, and Ethiopia to build orphan homes centered around churches and to staff them with widows, explicitly following the words of James 1:27 etched inside his home. The decision to give on such a scale came 17 years ago after he and his wife attended a missions conference. They were driving home from Georgia on Bonnemas motorcycle, communicating by helmet-mounted radios. Wed been silent for quite a while, Arch says, and I said, You know, honey, I have to admit Ive been kinda feeling lately that we ought to increase our commitment from 35 to 50 percent. I hardly got done saying that, and she says, Gods been telling me that for months. I was just waiting for you to confirm it with me. Bonnemas response echoes what many Christians have believed in recent yearsonly to find their fortunes shrink drastically during the recession. The whole time youre thinking, WowGod is gonna really bless us now. But it doesnt always work that way. If you give, God doesnt always give back right away. Thats what the prosperity message got wrong. There were times when my wife and I gave significantly and went through the biggest hardships, but we kept on giving. We still survived. It might have been a year or two later, but God gave us a tremendous blessing. In Archs and Sherrys case, their decision to tithe lavishly was followed by the loss of their savings and other assetsjust about everything but their home. They even sold their last car, a two-year-old Cadillac, so they could keep the pledges theyd made to ministries. We gave everything we had, including cashing in our retirement, to make sure that our promises to missions were fulfilled, Arch says. Its not that my business dropped off, but I spent less time doing it, and my income droppedwhile my giving increased, percentage-wise. No problem, we thought. Well just sell this. We dont need that anyway. Its more important we fulfill our commitment to God. It wasnt until we had given away pretty much everything we had over a span of six years when, all of a sudden, everything just reversed faster. God started building my businesses faster than I ever could have imagined. Within two years I had more money than I ever had in my whole life. Today, Arch has set aside Joshua Financial, the trust company from which he prospered for many yearschanging tax laws eliminated much of the business--to invest in enterprises such as the buying and re-selling of electricity and hydrogen technology. Bonnema has also launched expeditions to search for Noahs Ark and the Ark of the Covenant. (Both of those ventures are documented on his Web site, www.cometomyhouse.org.) Arch joins in business with kindred spirits, Christian entrepreneurs with a passion for missions and ministry. You want to have people surrounding you who are like-minded, he says. Theres an old saying, Its not what you know; its who you know. But I think there is a more correct saying: Its who knows you. What is your reputation? If you develop a good track record, they come find you. Bonnema applies the same principle to building orphan homes. He works only with ministries that have worked with orphans for years on their own, doing a really good job. My House builds new and better facilities so the ministries can expand their work. The goal, he says, is that the orphan home is independent of outside aid within three or four years. Once we build it, he says, we give it to them. Right now, My House sponsors four orphan homes in India, two in Ethiopia, one in Kenya, and one in Uganda, all in rural areas. Four other orphan homes are under construction; the Bonnemas hope to build 10 in 2010. Over the years, My House has encountered its share of scammersjust people who want money, Bonnema says. Its just as bad in the U.S. as it is over there. Bonnema has developed a mottoWe inspect what we expect. My House personnel are on the ground talking to people before the organization builds, checking out the credentials of local ministries and talking to pastors, mayors, and community leaders. We make sure they have a good reputation for taking care of kids, he says. Bonnemas passion for orphans has unlikely roots in the Minnesota farming community of Prinsburg, population 450, where he grew up. His grandfather, a farmer for many years and later a very successful businessman, entertained a constant stream of visitors from overseasmissionaries and pastors, to whom he gave much of his money. He felt the best gift he had was he knew how to do good business. He knew about the world, because everybody came to visit him. He was very generous. They were expecting to see some big tycoon, but he had a very modest house. He lived in a very small town. He just gave away an enormous amount. Faith pervaded the Bonnema family, which prayed and read Scripture at every meal, three times a day, and attended the Christian Reformed church together. I grew up in a family where all my relatives were strong, committed Christians, says Bonnema, now a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church. When I reached an age of understanding, at 7 or 8, I committed my life to Christ. At 19, Bonnema walked around the world with a backpack and sleeping bag, traversing remote and war-torn countries, including Vietnam. He visited Israel in 1973, right after it went to war with Egypt. In Bombay, India, he got so sick he prayed to die. In Hong Kong he started a Youth for Christ chapter that still exists today. Throughout his journey, he learned to rely on God in everything. James chapter 1 says if your life is full of difficulties and temptations, be happy, Bonnema says. I remember reading that when I was 16, thinking, boy, did they ever mistranslate this. How can you be happy when life is full of difficulties and temptations? Because you learn to trust God. Thats when you really build your faith. Crossing the world with little money or status allowed him to see reality in the countries he visited, where no one was trying to impress him. He avoided the big cities and wandered through rural areas, where you really see the people. He witnessed poverty and oppression, degradation and violence. As well as people with few possessions who took inexplicable joy in their love for God. Thats where my heart was first touched by the orphans and widows, he says. I saw a different world than the one I lived in. It did two things: It tremendously increased my passion for ministry. I saw how easy it is to change lives, compared to the U.S. When you see how easy it is to make a difference, it makes you want to do more. And it really opened my eyes so that Im a good steward. Its not about just writing a check. Its like the parable of the good seeds. Its giving to the right place at the right time. Over the years, Bonnema has visited 93 countries, all but one with his wife. That one country was Iran, where he believes his team found the petrified remains of Noahs Ark in 2006. Hes also witnessed first-hand the worlds problem with orphans; according to the World Health Organization, the number of orphans has doubled in the last five years, and only one-tenth of one percent are ever adopted. Yet more than 90 percent of the money spent on orphans is directed to the adoption process. A Kenyan bishop who visited him recently represented the alternative that My House seeks: He described how he could build an orphan home housing a dozen children as well as a widow to take care of them for as little as $20,000. The facility would include separate rooms for boys and girls as well as a kitchen and bathroom. Whats interesting is for centuries, thats what the church did. We took care of orphans and widows, Bonnema says. Now, we let the government do it. E-mail Julie Lyons at therealbiblegirl@gmail.com.

Amazon Whole Foods Buyout What You Need to Know

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Amazon Whole Foods Buyout: What You Need to Know

In June of 2017, Internet retail giant Amazon made the announcement that it planned to buy organic grocery store chain Whole Foods Market for a shocking $14 billion.

Amazons new acquisition sent heads spinning and certainly tongues wagging. But what do you need to know? How will Amazons huge purchase impact your weekly shopping trip to Whole Foods?

In this post, well break everything down regarding the Amazon Whole Foods purchase.

Amazons Grocery Past

Its no secret that Amazon wanted to enter the grocery industry. In fact, theyve created a grocery delivery service, AmazonFresh, thats based in Seattle.

However, just because Amazon has made moves, doesnt mean the deal is done just yet that wont happen until the end of 2017. Interestingly, Amazons CEO Jeff Bezos is expecting to face tougher regulations due to his at times contentious relationship with US President Donald Trump.

If political strings are pulled and the deals fails, Amazon will be forced to shell out a whopping $400 million to Whole Foods Market thats a heck of a business divorce settlement.

Whats Going to Change?

First of all, many will be interested to know that neither the branding of Whole Foods Market nor CEO John Mackey will be replaced.

In general, most people in the know feel that the biggest shift due to the Amazon Whole Foods acquisition will be in the way people shop. As you may have guessed, the experience is expected to become more focused on online grocery shopping.

While online grocery shopping still certainly has its skeptics, Amazons reputation of delivering high-quality products in other areas will likely make consumers feel much more comfortable with the idea.

The good news?

Amazon seems to have no intention of shuttering Whole Foods Markets many brick-and-mortar locations. So if you fear this will all soon go the way of the Blockbuster-Netflix competition, think again.

Many believe that Amazon will offer especially good grocery deliver deals to those that already have an Amazon Prime membership. Its likely that Prime members will be able to have groceries delivered to their homes for as little as $15 a month.

Of course, not everyone is happy with this deal.

Walmart especially feels that they are being threatened, and is considering switching away from doing business on Amazon Web Services, a cloud-based computing system used by many businesses.

Additionally, farmers and other makers of food are also a little put off by the deal. They fear that, just as happened with selling books, Amazon will undercut everything, forcing them to drastically lower their prices and improve their marketing to stay afloat.

Thats What You Need to Know on Amazon Whole Foods Purchase!

Hopefully, this article has reassured you that while, yes, there will likely be quite a few changes brought about by the Amazon Whole Foods purchase, most of them will be for the better.

Never fear, millennial market it seems like youll be able to keep buying your coconut water and kale chips in peace! However, in business, things can change on a dime. Keep checking back with us for more updates on this deal.

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Affordable Orlando Vacation Rentals for Groups

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Most people do not consider trying to find affordable Orlando vacation rentals when they holiday in groups in Orlando for Disney World, the golf or whatever other reason. Generally, they will look at hotel prices and many will have to discount Orlando for this year's vacation because these prices are too expensive for them.

This is quite understandable, but there are other viable alternatives to hotels which provide even more luxurious accommodation at a fraction of the price depending upon how many are in your party. If there is only one or perhaps even two of you then probably a hotel would be the cheaper option, but if you are vacationing with a group of people, such as a large family group, a bunch of golfing buddies or any other group of people who want to stay together, then Orlando vacation rentals are by far the better option. And here is why.

The reason why it is possible for those with a relatively small budget to spend seven days or more in Orlando, even within 15 minutes of Disney World, is that there are many vacation rentals in Orlando that can sleep sufficient people to render them an extremely attractive option financially when compared to hotel accommodation prices.

Consider this situation. You have the option of a hotel in Orlando at a low price, according to an internet search recently carried out, of around $110 per night for a couple. This is a reasonable price, but fairly expensive if you have children that will likely want their own rooms (and what couple of young teenagers would want to share a room with their parents), and also several relatives or buddies with whom you are sharing your holiday in Orlando.

Let's say there are 10 of you. Given the prices above you would be paying $550 for your party. An affordable Orlando vacation rental villa would cost around $300-$320 per day for all of you. Compare that to the $550 of the hotel. Not only that, but compare the services provided in such Orlando vacation rental villas with those offered in your hotel.

Sure, your villa does not offer the restaurant that the hotel would, but it does offer a fully equipped kitchen that you can use to rustle up food at any time without worrying whether the hotel kitchen is open or not, and of course you can eat out as you would have to do with a hotel in any case - or use their expensive restaurant. With a group of people it will save you a lot of money if you had the facility to cook many off your own meals, particularly breakfasts and lunches, and for the rest there are lots of attractive restaurants and fast food outlets that will save you money over expensive hotel restaurants.

Not only that, but your Orlando vacation rental villa provides you with, at a small extra cost for the entire party, your own pool and Jacuzzi or spa. In a hotel you would have to share that with the rest of the guests.

There is affordable Orlando vacation rental accommodation available that sleeps up to 12 for only $310, or for double that you can have a luxury accommodation that sleeps 16 with a 55 inch home cinema system and TVs and DVD players in every room. $620 might sound a lot, but for an Orlando vacation villa that sleeps 16, it is only $40 a person!

Another advantage that such vacation rental in Orlando offers you it is a games room including pool table, table hockey and even a fitness room. Some of this vacation accommodation in Orlando is situated within holiday complexes, offering such extras as entertainment, sports facilities (tennis, squash, golf etc.), stores, restaurants, bars and entertainment for your children. The value for money is unbelievable when compared to hotel prices and facilities.

There are no doubts whatsoever that such accommodation in Orlando, or any other vacation resort, can beat hotel rooms anytime. Not only for cost but also all for the facilities offered and the convenience of what is virtually your own home. No need to order expensive late-night room service - simply bring in your McDonald's or chili dog and a few beers that you purchased from the store nearby. Avoid these expensive hotel prices and have a great time.

Affordable Orlando vacation rentals for groups of people can easily be found, and is significantly less expensive than paying for a number of hotel rooms. Not only that, but these hotel rooms will not offer you 50 inch screen entertainment centers, Bose audio systems, your personal pool and spa, full cooking facilities, Xbox or PlayStation games facilities, pool, table hockey, and many other facilities that make your vacation something special that you will remember for many years to come, and that no hotel accommodation could provide...

Which would you prefer?

A History of the Waterways Barge Building in France

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Though you may be a lover of barge holidays in France, how much do you actually know about the history of this mode of transportation? Although the waterways are now reserved for leisure activities, tourism and barge holidays, France once relied on the humble barge to maintain and grow its economy. In fact, for centuries canals and rivers were essential components of Frances trade network, linking the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Standardisation and Transportation

Despite these all-important river links, transportation was slow due to a lack of standardisation across the country. At the end of the nineteenth century, the then Minister of Public Works, de Freycinet, had a light bulb moment: he decided to regulate the network of waterways by building the same sized lock country-wide. This lock was to be 40m x 5.20m and, once they were installed, boats had to be redesigned to fit inside. The new wooden vessels, sometimes known as Freycinet barges, were built in dimensions of 38.5m by 5.05m as standard. These modern, standardised cargo-carriers could deliver goods across Europe.

However, how did these non-motorised vessels move around the intricate network of European canals? The answer is man power although actually towing was carried out by women, horses and even children throughout the 1800s, as well as men. Some such as Klippers and Tjalks travelling to England used sail-power and others, in Belgium and the Netherlands, were towed by steam-powered tug boats. Progress, though faster due to standardisation, could not be called speedy as most people would be travelling at walking pace.

Fuelling the Nation

In a drastic change to how canal transport operated, the 1900s saw the introduction of diesel engines which did away with the need for towing altogether. However, as the engines were not very powerful, motorized vessels such as Spitzen and Luxemotors had to have distinctive pointed bows similar to the tug. These new creations were extremely luxurious as they were equipped with a kitchen and toilet more than some houses at the time and were independent.

By the 1920s wooden hulls had been exchanged for steel, making stronger, more resilient cargo-carriers that could withstand potential clashes with locks. Twenty years later the diesel engine had gained much more power and many motorised barges were built across France, Belgium and the Netherlands. This was the peak of this industry in Europe. Non-motorized vessels were towed by diesel-powered tractors, rather than horses, so journey times were considerably decreased.

Goodbye to All That?

The decline of French water transport began in the 1970s as the faster and more efficient railways and road vehicles gained in popularity. The canals, once the lifeblood of the country, fell into disrepair and were sadly not restored. Hundreds of Freycinet barges were scrapped and it seemed like it was the end of the line for this once-important vessel.

Fortunately, barge holidays in France have kept this traditional form of water transport alive. Tourism bloomed in the 1970s, drawing visitors to Frances canals and rivers have not abated in nearly four decades. Barge holidays in France show off the most beautiful and interesting regions of the country to visitors who appreciate the gentle pace, and alternative view point, that a hotel barge affords them.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider if you're looking for all-inclusive, luxury barge holidays in France or other great destinations. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.

A Chef's Dream Kitchen Organizers for all your Cooking Needs

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Keeping the kitchen well organized is every chefs dream. Not only does a clean and organized kitchen have a better appearance, it is also more efficient to work with. With an organized kitchen, there is no fumbling around during cooking, searching for that one tool that is always evasive.

Drawer Knife Organizer

Did you ever think that being more organized would make you safer too? Well in this case it does, by making your kitchen less prone to accidents. The Drawer Knife Organizer allows for seven knives to be placed inside the wood design to keep them from getting lost in the shuffle of a crowded silverware or tools drawer.

It might be okay to lose a spoon, but no one wants to stick a hand in a drawer to find out the hard way where the knife theyve been looking for is located. The curved wood design of the Drawer Knife Organizer is elegant enough that it can even be stored on the countertop to show off your treasured knife set.

Stack N Store Spinner Set

This fifty-four piece set helps keep both leftovers and your cabinets neater than ever imagined. Every cook will find that sometimes storing leftovers or food supplies can be a hassle if the pieces needed get lost. With the Stack N Store Spinner Set, everything stacks together in separate sections so that no piece is ever misplaced.

This also allows for it to be stored in tight spaces - securely inside a cupboard or cabinet if desired. As everything stacks together, it is even a possibility to quickly lift by the handle and transport the set somewhere else - this will make redoing any kitchen organization a breeze! As an added bonus, the set of twenty-four containers with lids is both dishwasher and microwave safe.

Bamboo Kitchen Island With Granite Top

No matter what size your kitchen is, it seems like there is never enough counter space. The Bamboo Kitchen Island with Granite Top is an easy and elegant solution to that problem. This bamboo cart provides an easy and moveable seventeen and a half inches of counter space, in addition to it having extra organization uses.

A towel rack, two fixed shelves, two storage drawers and a cabinet with an additional shelf inside all allow for any tool to be kept close at hand. The granite top inlay is perfect for baking needs, as the smooth surface is ideal for dough-work. This island would be excellent for storing all the supplies related to one purpose, or just to have extra space when needed.

Free Standing Bakeware Holder
The Free Standing Bakeware Holder allows for all of your bakeware to be stored upright to allow for easy access. When stored flat, all the pans can run together, making it difficult to find one particular pan. Small ramps are attached to the bakeware holder to even allow round items, such as pizza pans or stones, to be stored upright without any wobbling or rolling.

Eight Bottle Wine Rack

Function and beauty are the two most important things of any luxury kitchen. These two come together in the Eight Bottle Wine Rack. An espresso finished solid wood wine rack blends with a tabletop to allow your wine rack to be more than something that just securely stores wine bottles. Perfect for entertaining or even just part of everyday decor, eight wine bottles are stored beneath a round table top. The wine rack stands sixteen inches tall, making it a perfect height for nearly any use.

Trash Bin Pantry

The Trash Bin Pantry offers instant counter and storage space, in addition to being an elegant way to store a trash can. A hidden hinge allows for your thirteen gallon trash bin to be tucked away out of sight until you need to flip it down for use. Three storage shelves with wicker baskets are adjacent to the closed trash cabinet.

The countertop even has a built-in cutting board for easy food preparation uses. This station is perfect for prep work, as you can store vegetables in the wicker baskets, cut them on the counter, and then throw the scraps in the trash can without moving at all. The stylish wood and wicker piece comes in the color options of either black or white, and is stylish enough to blend with the decor of any chefs kitchen.

Any kitchen, big or small, has something to be gained by being better organized. Every chef dreams of working in a beautiful kitchen where everything has its own place and tools are always where they belong. With these easy organization tools, that dream can quickly become a well organized dream com true.

8 Great Tips for Organizing Your Garage Space

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Many people, myself included, have become heavily reliant on cars for transportation. The need for a vehicle is more apparent in places with poor access to a public transit system such as suburbs and towns and villages in the rural periphery. People without a car are essentially at the mercy of people with one, disconnected from their larger community. Also, cars aren't exactly cheap, unless you are going to buy from one of those sketchy used car dealerships. Automobiles are one of the biggest purchases a person can ever make.

With that in mind, I don't understand people who leave their cars parked out on the street. You wouldn't leave your laptop out, so why would you leave an expensive vehicle somewhere where it can be damaged or even stolen? And try climbing into a car that's been exposed for hours to the scalding hot sun. Cars belong in the garage, not by the curbside.

It is estimated that only a 1 out of 3 people use their garages to actually store their cars. Why? Their garages are filled to the brim with boxes and clutter. Many people have a hard time of letting go of their belongings, and over time, their homes get filled up with all sorts of stuff.

Here are a few tips to help you organize and declutter your garage.

1. Optimize your storage

Just because you've turned your garage into a makeshift storage room doesn't mean it has to look like one. With enough preparation, you can set up a rational storage system for your garage. Optimize your space by utilising a variety of storage options.

For instance, you could use multiple garage shelving units and assign each one a category. You could have one shelf for gardening equipment, another for your power tools and so forth. You can even install shelves above the door to maximise your storage space.

2. Adjustable shelves

The bare floor is a tempting place to leave your stuff on. One great way to declutter your garage is to use adjustable shelves. You can store a variety of objects upright and you can even adjust the shelving to accommodate objects that don't quite fit. If you want, you can even vary the heights the shelves are placed in so you don't have to mix and match all the time.

3. Gardening station

If you enjoy gardening, why not dedicate a part of your garage for your gardening workstation? A potting table, a box on casters underneath it, a few overhead cabinets and some wall-mounted hooks and you can repot plants to your heart's content.

4. Pegboards

Similar to adjustable shelving, a pegboard allows you to up your tool storage game. You can use a variety of hooks to keep your frequently used hardware easily accessible. No need to rummage through drawers for your hammer and screwdriver when it's in plain sight.

You can even spruce your garage up and paint the pegboard in sections. You can dedicate one colour to gardening tools, another for screwdrivers and so on. You can even attach sideways bins to expand your storage space. If you have a lot of hoses, attach a bucket to the pegboard and turn it into a chic hose reel. Now you can have a colourful and clutter-free garage.

5. Reuse old cans

Repurpose your old metal cans to store messy, granular things such as pet food, sand, birdseed and salt. Don't forget to place a cup inside can so you can easily scoop what you need. To avoid having to lift the lid on each can, print out some labels and sticky tape it to the cans.

6. Bin row

One great and practical way to introduce a sense of organization to your garage is to use a bin row. A bin row is basically a row of plastic bins lined up against each other. You can have one big row or you can multiple rows for each section of your garage. Use the bin row for easy access to small, regularly-used objects such as seed packets, tapes and hand tools. You never have to scour your garage for something ever again.

7. Hook it up

You can hang a slatted panel on your wall to expand your storage options by using them to store large gardening equipment and other objects. Using large hooks, you can hang heavy items such as rakes and shovels on the wall. Maybe you can even hang up your bicycle.

8. Clear containers

There's a reason why kitchen containers are clear: So you can easily see what's inside. Use clear kitchen containers for organizing small objects such as nails and screws. The clear container makes it easy to see its contents, saving you time when you're looking for a specific type. If the containers have a metal base, you can hang a magnetic panel to a pegboard and stick the containers on the panel for easy access and better organization.

5 Times Youll Wish You Had a Flashlight On You

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Everybodys got a few essential items they always keep on hand- phone, wallet, gum, water, are all common ones.

Most of the essential items that you carry come down to personal preference. However, there is one essential item that everyone should have handy, no matter who they are.

What is this essential item, you ask?

A flashlight!

Now, I know what you may be thinking, flashlights are big and bulky, and the only people who really need them are outdoorsmen.

Well, this is where youre wrong.

First of all, a lot of flashlights these days have sleeker, more lightweight designs than they used to, such as the Everyday Carry Fenix Flashlights.

Also, flashlights arent just useful for outdoorsmen- theyre useful for everybody! Lets take a look at the top 5 situations where youll wish you had a flashlight on you.

1. When Your Phone is Dead

Most people come to the conclusion that they dont need a flashlight because they already have one on their phone.

While yes, phone flashlights can sometimes get the job done just fine, its still smart to have a backup.

We all know that our phones battery never lasts long enough, so in cases where the battery is dead or near dying (phone flashlights are major battery suckers!), itll be crucial to have a flashlight handy.

2. Power Outages

Whether its due to an electrical failure or natural disaster, theres almost certainly going to be a time when the power goes out at home.

Not only will a flashlight help you navigate through the darkness, its light is also a great way to calm everyones nerves, especially if you got little kiddos at home.

Its best to have a couple stored around the house so one person doesnt have to sit in the dark while the other goes to check out the fuse box.

3. Security Illuminate the Dark

We all know how discomforting it can be to walk down an unlit path or alleyway on the way home, especially for females.

Carrying a flashlight in these situations will not only give you peace of mind, it can also help you ward off any potential attackers.

In order to succeed with their attack, attackers usually rely on the element of surprise. Shining a bright flashlight is a great way to help you spot the attacker before they spot you.

If you see the attacker first and they still make a move on you, you can actually use your flashlight as a self-defense tool.

4. Car Emergencies

Having your car break down in the darkness can be an extremely frightening situation, especially if you are alone and in an unfamiliar area.

A flashlight is particularly useful for seeing whats going on under the hood of your car.

It can also be used as a distress signal and a way to alert other drivers if you are broken down without lights.

5. Walking the Dog

If youre a dog owner, theres a good chance youve had to wake up in the middle of the night to let your pet do its business.

Its best to be prepared with a flashlight before you head out into the darkness- especially if your dog decides to make a run for it!

Carrying a flashlight will never really be a hindrance, so its always better to be safe than sorry. However, certain flashlights are more suitable for certain situations.

Fenix flashlights have you covered for all sorts of predicaments- check them out now!

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