World Refugee Day June 20, 2017

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate World Refugee Day

In a world where violence has forced hundreds of families to flee each day, the UN Refugee Agency believes now is the time to show world leaders that the global public stands with refugees, and it will launch its #WithRefugees petition on June 20th to send a message to governments that they must work together and do their fair share for refugees.

The #WithRefugees petition will be delivered to UN headquarters in New York ahead of the High-Level Meeting on Refugees and Migrants, scheduled for the 19th September. The petition asks governments to:

• Ensure every refugee child gets an education.
• Ensure every refugee family has somewhere safe to live.
• Ensure every refugee can work or learn new skills to make a positive contribution to their community.

World Refugee Day has been marked on 20 June, ever since the UN General Assembly, on 4 December 2000, adopted resolution 55/76 where it noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention and that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.

thanks for more of these comical wildlife photos, Cher

Word of the Day

nubbly
Definition:	(adjective) Rough or irregular; textured.
Synonyms:	homespun, nubby, slubbed, tweedy
Usage:	The seamstress preferred the nubbly, matte surface of raw silk to the glossy, smooth look of satin.

Idiom of the Day

in no way  — Not at all; not by any means

History

The Battle of Chalons (451 CE)

Perhaps one of the most important battles of late antiquity, the Battle of Chalons is known only from written records and its exact location remains a mystery, though it probably took place in northeastern France. In this battle, the Romans and Visigoths stopped the advance of the Huns under Attila and, some say, preserved Western civilization. The battle was brutal, and legend holds that the ghosts of the dead continued to fight for days.

Errol Flynn (1909)

As a young man, the Australian-born Flynn led an adventurous life, pursuing various careers in the Pacific before taking up acting in England. He soon became a Hollywood star, playing swashbuckling heroes in such films as Captain Blood and Robin Hood. Scandals involving drinking and womanizing marred his reputation, and his career faltered until a lauded return in The Sun Also Rises in 1957. Numerous legends surround the circumstances of his death. 

West Virginia Day

West Virginia Day is a state holiday in West Virginia to celebrate its joining the Union in 1863 as the 35th state. The creation of the state was a result of the Civil War. The settlers of western Virginia defied the state's vote to secede from the Union, and on June 20 West Virginia formally entered the Union as an anti-slave state. The day is marked with ceremonies at the state capitol in Charleston and at the West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling. It was there that the conventions were held to declare West Virginia's independence from Virginia.

Meditation and Yoga May Actually Change Our DNA, Study Finds

Mindfulness has become a trendy buzzword among the wellness community. Yoga studios and meditation centers continue to pop up as people seek refuge from being constantly on the go (and feeling the draining effects).

READ MORE:

Meditation and Yoga May Change How Stress Affects Our DNA, Study Finds

1397 - The Union of Kalmar united Denmark, Sweden, and Norway under one monarch. 

1782 - The U.S. Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States. 

1793 - Eli Whitney applied for a cotton gin patent. He received the patent on March 14. The cotton gin initiated the American mass-production concept. 

1863 - The National Bank of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, became the first bank to receive a charter from the U.S.Congress.

1910 - Fanny Brice debuted in the New York production of the "Ziegfeld Follies". 

1937 - W2XBS (later WCBS-TV) televised the first TV operetta. The work was the "Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert and Sullivan. 

1948 - "Toast of the Town" debuted on CBS-TV. The show was hosted by Ed Sullivan.

1950 - Willie Mays graduated from high school and immediately signed with the New York Giants. 

1969 - Jimi Hendrix earned the largest paycheck (to that time) for a single show when he earned $125,000 for a single set at the Newport Pop Festival in Northridge, CA. 

2002 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the execution of mentally retarded murderers was unconstitutionally cruel. The vote was 6 in favor and 3 against. 

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, June 20

As gentle and likable as you are, there is a resolute part of you that is unmistakable. This combination of heart and courage almost guarantees success. You also have a strong belief in yourself, which helps to take you places, quietly, gracefully, and surely. Love and relationships are very important to you, and you will go to great lengths for a person you love. Famous people born today: Nicole Kidman, Lionel Richie, Chet Atkins, John Goodman, Errol Flynn.

READERS INFO

1.

Woolfest 2017 

Friday 23 June 10am-6pm

Saturday 24 June 10am-5pm

Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre,

Cockermouth, Cumbria

Woolfest was founded to provide a showcase and a celebration of the best of wool and wool crafts. The event is all about creativity and design with beautiful quality, amazing colours and skilled craftsmanship. It is also a great day out and was recognised in 2012 when Woolfest won the Cumbria Tourism Event of the Year Award.

further information: Woolfest - British Wool Festival, Cockermouth, Cumbria

2.

South Carolina Festival of Flowers 2017

Jun 1-30, 2017

Greenwood, SC

Winter has loosened its frozen grip on Greenwood’s gardens, and that means the Festival of Flowers will bloom once again. An award-winning tourist event, you’ll be dazzled by its beautiful, lush gardens that breathe the soft summer air. Uptown Greenwood will further stimulate your senses with original arts and crafts, a Wine Walk full of savory wine samples and a leisurely 5K walk/run.

further information: Welcome

3.

San Diego County Fair 2017

Jun 2 - Jul 3, 2017

Del Mar Fairgrounds

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard

Del Mar, CA

The San Diego County Fair is a month-long community celebration that attracts over one million guests each summer. The fair kicks off summer with rides, food, beverages, music, contests and more, with a changing lineup of events throughout the month. There are attractions for people of all ages including beer and wine for adults and special entertainment for kids.

further information: Del Mar Fairgrounds : Del Mar Fairgrounds Events Calendar June 2017

4.

Fair Saint Louis 2017

Jun 2 - Jul 4, 2017 

Forest Park

5595 Grand Dr 

Saint Louis, MO 

Fair Saint Louis 2017 is shaping up to be another unforgettable experience. St. Louisans and visitors from across the country will enjoy days of world-class entertainment, with highlights including: concerts headlined by nationally-renowned artists; a family oriented Purina/Ameren Festival Zone; The Fairway, a unique, market-style shopping experience; Interactive Zone with national brands featuring new products and a spectacular fireworks show that will light up the sky each night of the Fair; and much more.

further information: Events - Fair STL

Pictures of the day

NGC 4414 is an unbarred spiral galaxy about 62 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. It is a flocculent spiral galaxy, with short segments of spiral structure but without the dramatic well-defined spiral arms of a grand design spiral. NGC 4414 is a very isolated galaxy, with no signs of past interactions with other galaxies.

ELEPHANT DUST BATH

knit

thanks, Rae

Mesh Top

knit

thanks, Emily

Ocean Waves Summer Bag

knit

Sweetheart Child's Eyelet Bib Skirt pattern by Elaine Phillips

knit

Vlad pattern by Tammy Bailey

knit

Ridge Feather Stitch

Worked over a multiple of 11 sts

The sample shown is worked over 33 sts.

Rows 1 – 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: [P2tog twice, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, p2tog twice] 3 times
Row 8: Purl

Repeat rows 5 – 8.

crochet

Baby Slipper pattern by Melody Lagurin

crochet

thanks, Doris

crochet teddy bear pattern

crochet

Crochet Shrug pattern by Amana Nova

crochet

thanks, Nicky

Lovely Labels pattern by José Bianca

crochet

Crocheted Flower Crown

RECIPE

How To Make Fluffy Cloud Bread - Plain and Simple - Low Carb Delish

CROCKPOT RECIPE

Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

SWEETS

thanks, Shelley

Chestnut Honey Squares Recipe

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS

thanks, Emma

DIY Flip Flop Coasters

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... crafts

thanks, Lucy

About - smitten by a knot

PUZZLE

Urn Gate Posts Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

abysmal bias boos break bring collect copycat

decay different extent field foods goose group guise

heartburn highlights honor mayhem piece pluck putt

rifle rise scam shiny smooth solo stare stocks swill

tigers tips unrest waiter wells went

SUDOKU

solution:

QUOTE

thanks, Helen 

 

CLEVER

HOMEMADE MIRACLE GROW

theladyprefers2save

Now you can make your own all-natural Homemade Miracle Grow for pennies on the dollar with the recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon of water
• 1 tbsp Epsom’s Salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp of Household Ammonia
• 1 tbsp of powdered milk
• 1 tbsp of molasses

Directions:

1. Simply mix all the ingredients together, except the powdered milk in a reusable, sealable, food-safe container (to prevent chemical leaching).
2. When ready to use, add 1/4 gallon of your Homemade Miracle Grow Blend to a watering pitcher and then add the powdered milk and molasses only when ready to be applied to your garden areas. Stir thoroughly to combine.
3. Dispose of any unused portions containing powdered milk, to prevent spoilage.
4. Use this Homemade Miracle grow only once per month.
5. Safe for gardens, hanging plants, house plants, flower beds, shrubs, and lawns.
6. Can also be added to hose sprayer attachments or used with a watering can.
7. You can also mix into the soil around plants in the Spring and Fall each year. The rate should be 1 tablespoon for every 1-2 feet in height of plant. Be sure that you blend into your soil well with each application.

Quick Tip:

Each ingredient in this blend is necessary to ensure proper plant growth for the following reasons:

• Water: Necessary agent for plant germination, photosynthesis, nutrient transference, and soil transpiration
• Epsom’s Salt: Epsom salt helps improve flower blooming and enhances a plant’s green color. It can even help plants grow bushier. Epsom salt is made up of hydrated magnesium sulfate (magnesium and sulfur), which is important to healthy plant growth. An added bonus? Slugs hate Epsom’s Salts!
• Baking soda: Baking soda on plants helps prevent the bloom of fungal spores and minimize diseases such as powdery mildew and other foliar diseases.
• Ammonia: Ammonia is present in the soil, water, & air. Ammonia also contains Nitrogen, an essential for plant growth and improves fruit and seed production, resulting in a greater yield.
• Powdered milk: It contains beneficial proteins, vitamin B, and sugars that are good for plants, improving their overall health and crop yields. The microbes that feed on the fertilizer components of milk are also beneficial to the soil. Like us, plants use calcium for growth. Powdered milk also contains phosphorus and potassium, necessary agents for plant growth.
• Molasses: Molasses is high in calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. It also contains sulfur and a host of micronutrients. Using molasses as fertilizer provides plants with a quick source of energy and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

EYE OPENER

thanks, Patty

Introducing Napa Valley's Secret Weapon: Vineyard Owls