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Queen celebrates 60 years on throne

Tributes poured in to Queen Elizabeth II on Monday as she marked 60 years on the throne with a message vowing to continue serving the British people.

Legend, Kennedy Center program honor Marvin Gaye

Grammy award-winning singer John Legend surprised a high school choir Tuesday at the Kennedy Center to help start a program encouraging young artists to confront social issues with their art, in honor of the late Marvin Gaye.

Chanel takes off with blue-sky thinking

It was blue-sky thinking for Karl Lagerfeld, as he treated guests to a luxury jet-set experience in Chanel's spring-summer collection on the second day Tuesday of haute couture week.

Royal crackdown on fascinators at Ascot racecourse

They're good enough for the former Kate Middleton, but apparently not good enough for her husband's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Plans for Diamond Jubilee river pageant unveiled

Palace officials Wednesday announced details of a massive pageant on London's River Thames to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee year.

Gala premiere, then quiet 30th for Kate Middleton

After attending a gala film premiere in a full-length lacy evening gown, Kate Middleton stepped out of the public gaze Monday to celebrate her milestone 30th birthday in private.

The Vine

Rottlady captures Bird Tongue?

I finally cleaned my windows so I could get some bird feeding pictures and it's amazing how much better the images turn out when you don't have to look through smudges.   I was surprised when I was able to capture these birds either with a mouth full of seed or as you see in …

American artist Karen Eland paints pictures with beer instead of paint
Source: Telegraph

American artist Karen Eland paints pictures with beer instead of paint.

Tucker the Cat and the Kitty Colony

  We had some action yesterday when a backhoe began clearing the lot in front of our lanai. Once the kitties had their dinner they went to investigate. They ran up and down the dirt pile, checked out every inch of the backhoe and even sat in the seat pretending to drive.

Children need to hear the sound of music\
Source: Telegraph

Studies show that a developing brain benefits hugely from exposure to the music of the great composers. In a school for children with ADHD, Mozart was actually found to cut racing heart rates and boost concentration.

Which THREE great books would you recommend?

We all read so much, and I am sure it is difficult to find favourites to tell others about, especially with the field being so vast. But my three choices, which took tons of chopping and changing, would have to be the following: 1.

Valentines Day Cookies: Reverse Chocolate Chip
Source:

In the mood for a chocolate batter cookie with white chocolate chips?  This version also sports an unusual ingredient:  the heady spice coriander.  Add in the exotic flavorful macadamia nuts and this cookie is a huge hit.  

Valentines Day: Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Pie
Source: romancing the chocolate

Pies are always an easy idea for holidays as they take less time and fuss than individual portion recipes.

Chefs Recipe 4 Valentines Day: Warm Chocolate Cheesecake
Source: romancing the chocolate

Looking for an easy to make chocolate cheesecake?  Chef Sara Moulton is always coming up with great ideas that are simple to make. Usually, we serve cheesecake chilled.

A book that everyone should read "have a little faith" by Mitch Albom.

I just finished this book last night and I have to tell you that is was a wonderful thing that Mitch Albom has written.

Celebrate Valentines Day With Fiery Chocolate Fondue
Source: romancing the chocolate

Chocolate fondue is the favorite of Valentine's Daymenus.  This recipe is extra special with the addition of someTabasco hot sauce to kick it up a notch - the romance, that is.

Healing

In the deepest burrows of my mind Something was failing, failing... I wove my way back in time When I was but a child My hand was held, my prayer was said And I was true and doing fine Years went on, the trials came The hand that held me fell away I stood at crossroads And feare …

Katherine Boo on Her Book 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' - NYTimes.com
Source: The New York Times

Unlike many journalists Katherine Boo aspires to invisibility. She hates publicity and talks about herself with about as much ease as someone trying to wriggle from a thicket — stopping, pausing, retracing her sentences and looking for a better way out.

Amaryllis in February

This little beauty has pushed its way up during last few days of clouds and rain and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he was too early. It has been in the 80’s all week and humid, where did winter go?

"Somehow, I've Got to Find A Way"

Snow falling through the atmosphere Covering the ground that was so clear Tonight is a blizzard, is anybody here. It started last year when you went away Whether springtime or summer Seems it's always the same. The coldness follows me Will things ever change Somehow I've got to  …

RENZO PIANO - BEST ARCHITECTURE WORKS - Video
Source: ITALIAN CULTURE

The art of architecture in Italy, has always been one of the finest expressions of Italian Culture, from the Roman Empire Architecture, to Sacred Architecture, Renzo Piano is the natural heir of the ancient masters of Italian architects, an …

Photo-Challenge: Abstract

This was my beginning attempts at abstract. HollyKl inspires all of us in the NVP group with her amazing abstracts. With her encouragement and inspiration I plunged in.

Chicago music website will soon take off; with help from Boeing
Source: Chicago Tribune

Music in Chicago is about to get a cyber-boost, thanks to an innovative collaboration between Boeing and the Elastic Arts Foundation, a non-profit presenting organization. Boeing has contributed an initial $150,000 to an interactive website that Elastic will create, first to …

(What's so funny about peace love and understanding - YouTube
Source: YouTube

Good song for how I'm feeling and thinking today.  I sometimes wonder if human beings were just hard wired to fight each other.  There is always the other option of  "Agree to Disagree....live and let live" Peace Love And Understanding LyricsArtist(Band):A Perfect …

Island Wonders

    Life is good as always and here's proof!

Face of Sorrow

Tap..tap..tapping on the window pane Swaying to the side, then straight again Glistening teardrops roll down like rain                                               …

"Under The Moon"

Walking through a moonlit forest Timid, yet fierce as a wolf Chasing shadows Gazing at ones reflection. The night's moon Loud, brilliant Beams bursting outward To the edge of the spectrum Covering all encompassed. Water rising Ferocious in its calm Tides stretching Bending upwar …

Moon over the Countryside

Rushed to publish by 58Rose.

Ground Chuck (poetry)

hard wood floors and a mighty quiet what's a philistine? Quips from granny's mouth cookies from her oven are psychotropics really necessary? a rusted out quarter panel overgrown lawn out back aren't toothpicks kind of a waste? I mean in the big picture..

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