United States National Emblem

The Great Seal was finalized and approved on June 20, 1782 and reflects the beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers wanted to pass on to their descendents.
In the center of the seal is an bald eagle, our national bird. It holds in its beak a scroll inscribed E pluribus unum, which is Latin meaning "out of many, one" and stands for one nation that was created from 13 colonies. In one claw is an olive branch, while the other holds a bundle of thirteen arrows. The olive branch and arrows "denote the power of peace and war."
A shield with thirteen red and white stripes covers the eagle's breast. The shield is supported solely by the American eagle to denote that Americans should rely on their own virtue. The red and white stripes of the shield represent the states united under and supporting the blue, representing the President and Congress. The color white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Above the eagle's head is a cloud surrounding a blue field containing thirteen stars, which forms a constellation. The constellation denotes that a new State is taking its place among other nations.

The bald eagle owes its name to the early American colonist, and is bald in name only.

The American eagle was white-headed compared to the European gray eagle and the colonists translation for describing white headed ended up bald.

Emblems are pictures with a motto or set of verses intended as a moral lesson and played great importance in History. Since ancient times, men have identified themselves with the eagle, because it creates an impression of majesty and of power while in flight. Others that associated themselves with the symbol were ancient Romans, Emperor Charlemagne, and Napoleon so aren't we happy that the US followed suit rather than taking Ben Franklin's suggestion of a turkey............
He considered the eagle a "bird of bad moral character" because it lives "by sharping and robbing."

For me the difference is......... "free/self reliant or hand fed "...............

I vote for the Eagle

Origami

Origami (from oru meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper") is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns preferably without the use of gluing or cutting the paper, and using only one piece of paper.
Origami only uses a small number of different folds, but they can be combined in a variety of ways to make intricate designs. The most well known form is probably the Japanese paper crane. In general, these designs begin with a square sheet of paper whose sides may be different colors or prints. Contrary to most popular belief, traditional Japanese origami, which has been practiced since the Edo era (1603–1867), has often been less strict about these conventions, sometimes cutting the paper during the creation of the design.


In 2004 my hubby and I went on a Holland cruise and while sitting at the bar talking with one of the bartenders he proceeded to take a bar menu and make me this crane. I was soooooo impressed............I carefully carried it home and it continues to rests inside my antique china cabinet that I inherited from my Mom.

Every time I look at it, I remember that trip and the kindness of that man so here is an encouraging word.....................
Even if our dollar isn't worth much.......Look at all you can make with it

and my favorite............................................

If you would like to learn how to make these you can go to http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/
Fight back...............

Open wide (satire)

Big Ideas, Grand Plans, Modest Budgets

Opening wide and swallowing doesn't always pan out real well....just ask this catfish that tried to swallow a basketball

It appeared that deflation was the only possibility for rescue

If this is the cure than we are on our way!

Deflation usually occurs because of a serious economic slowdown. If the present slowdown in economic growth turned into a major recession, deflation could become a real possibility. Deflation could occur because of:

Falling house prices reducing spending
Falling value of shares
Contraction in investment caused by banks being unwilling or unable to lend.
Falling economic growth causing firms to try cut prices and possibly wages.

Pass it on

My paternal grandmother crocheted but in fillet style, meaning she didn't read a pattern but used graph patterns.......I find it amazing that she made this 40x 24 1/2 picture of the Lords supper. It is made from fine crochet thread and I have no idea how long it took her to complete it. What I do know is that my mother bought the supplies and asked her to make it for her church. I do not know why it didn't end up there but rather was rolled up and found after my mom passed away. I started to sell it in the estate sale but at the last minute decided not to.

I ended up having it mounted and framed and it hangs above the fireplace mantle in the master bedroom ......am so glad I kept it.

My mother taught me how to crochet when I was maybe 10 years or so and we too used the thin crochet thread and made dollies and the like, crocheting with yarn wasn't really done much back then. Now, for the most part, people crochet with yarn and the dollies and etc. are things of the past.

After I married I had a desire to learn to knit so between books and a friend I learned the English way but let me tell you........I had those needles everywhere, stuck in my blouse, in my hair and etc. so my knitting accomplishments were very limited. Recently, I learned to knit continental style and I have found it to suit me well so I have been busy as a bee.

I tried to teach my daughter crocheting, knitting, embroidery, sewing and etc. but I am right handed and she is left handed and it just never worked out BUT I have great news.....my granddaughter (11 years old) has shown a great interest in learning so I went and bought one of the popular knitting loom sets and she has taken to it like a duck to water!! I had her over Thursday and showed her how to do it and by Sat. she had her first hat finished (she is going to join me in knitting hats for the homeless). She is coming today to let me help her take it off the loom and now my daughter says she wants to learn too so they can knit together!

I am so excited about having this special connection with my Granddaughter and she has said she wants me to teach her to sew too. I have had so many special times making things and have saved money in the process........

Everyone has special gifts and talents ......don't forget to pass them on.

Be my Valentine

Nearly 17 years ago, I was introduced to a stargazer lily when I received one for my daughters wedding and it has been my favorite flower ever since. If you haven't smelled one........you don't know what you are missing.

When I decided to quit smoking 12 years ago, I gave the three cigarettes left in my pack to my hubby and asked him to bring me three stargazers. Over the years he has brought me my favorite flower but this year he mixed them with beautiful red roses for Valentines which I am sharing with you:)

Sending you special valentine wishes..............

P.S. Be sure to eat two chocolates...one for each butt cheek...............................

Another word for "Stimulus Package"

Band-aid

But to make it interesting here is the history of the band-aid:

Earle Dickson, an employee of Johnson and Johnson developed the first band-aid in 1920 using the sterile gauze that the company produced and simply placing it in the center of surgical tape. The first "band-aids produced were rather large 2 1/2 in width and 18" in length and handmade. They were later machine made and sized down and Earle Dickson was rewarded with a token vice-presidency and a seat on the Board of Director, when the sales of the Band-Aid exceed $30,000,000.

Johnson and Johnson has very clear instructions on their web site about how to use their band-aids which is simply--------Clean, treat and then protect the wound.

Unfortunately, our government leaders has this whole order upside down and the cleaning has never been done so there won't be any treatment of healing and the covering has only allowed the "wound" to become more infected. Fortunate for those making these decisions their "Health Insurance" (us the taxpayers) have not let them down but they should be warned......it may one day require amputation.

Feel free to state your own opinions............................

Who Knew

I recently posted a recipe for Granny Annie that I got from an old "Workbasket" magazine. I had a bunch of these that were my Mom's and not two months ago gave most of them away.
Out of curiosity about the history of this little magazine I googled workbasket magazine only to find they are selling them on ebay and if they were early ones (1930 and 1940's) they go for a pretty penny. Who knew................

Maybe I should put the few I have left under lock and key?

Blog titles

We all have struggled to come up with a blog title that seems to fit what we are about...there are a few that I happen to think are really cleaver:

1. The 3 R's...Reading-Ranting and Recipes

2. Button Willow Cottage

3. Ex Marks the Spot (read 1/29 post)

I chose "Changes in the Wind" as my title because of a saying that I am inspired by:

Healthy things grow.

Growing things change.

Change challenges us.

Challenge causes us to trust God.

Trust leads to obedience.

Obedience makes us healthy.
Healthy things grow.............

So what inspired your blogs title?

My wish

All the news of these terrible storms bring concern to me even though I live in an area that never has snow.............. so my my wish for you is

Stay warm and take extra care

I would like to know how you prepare for these things if anyone would like to share

and Al Gore, maybe this isn't the best time to discuss Global warming????

Blogville Questionnaire

There are hundreds and hundreds of bloggers around the world.

1. Do you read your favorite blogs daily? Yes, as long as I am home.
2. Do you have your favorites saved on favorites or some other way? Favorites
3. How many blogs do you have on you favorites list? 35
4. Do you have blogs that you read but do not leave comments for? Yes
5. What is your favorite thing about blogs? A peek into the variety of life and interests
Come on now.........it is only five little questions:)

That Las Vegas Weekend

First off let me say that Las Vegas is not my favorite place in the world but I believe you need to make the best of where you are so here is my good news bad news weekend report.........

We stayed at the Riviera where the gun show convention was held (a very old casino on the strip) but because of a mix up we stayed in a suite! Living room, bedroom, dining table, bar, dressing room and two bathrooms. Our view from the 25th floor was construction on a HUGE glass building but it was fascinating to watch the big cranes work. The bed and pillows were the worse ever but there was no one next to us so it was very quiet. Because of the gun show the place was packed and there were long lines for restaurants and etc. but if you had made a reservation................... the food at Kristofer's

was divine!

We had not driven to Vegas in a couple of years and was anxious to see the progress on the bypass bridge over Boulder Dam they are building. It takes forever to work your way through the dam but to see the bridge they are creating is truly amazing. Can you imagine driving over this? It is suppose to be completed June of 2010.

Now I mentioned that I hoped we would come home with a few of those dollars that are made out of linen and I am pleased to say..........WE DID!!

The gun show was a very successful one for us and it wasn't packaged pretty like this.................... but it still spends real good.

It is about a rather boring six hour drive from Vegas home but there needs to be a food break. This is may be the best part of the trip because we stopped at a little Mexican food restaurant called El Palacio. It is off of old route 66 down town and am sure that it is supported mostly by the locals

but the food is pretty good and can you believe..........................................................................

free desert!

As you well know it is fun to go but

there is nothing like home.

Out with the old and in with the new

Thank you President Bush for your service to our country. I am proud to have had you as President in my lifetime.


Greetings President Obama. I wish you great success.

I am so proud to be an American....a country willing for change

Bill trivia

It doesn't grow on trees and it is not made from paper; it is made from linen.

I hope we can get a few of these at the gun show in Las Vegas this week-end:)

In case you missed it

The full moon on Sat. night was the biggest and brightest for all of 2009.

Drop dead gorgeous!

Make one--Give one away

Recently I made myself a knitting needle holder

and I had enough material to make another one to give to a friend.........................

Now this idea works with many things, like baking pies, making home made soup, starting seedlings, fresh herbs from your garden, roses off your bushes and am sure you all can think of oodles more.

Just remember.......sharing makes a difference.

Old fashioned business practices

The savvy Mars struck a deal with Hershey via Murrie, whereby Murrie would provide some capital, and Hershey would provide chocolate, sugar and technology. The partners names the product for the first initials of their last names: M&Ms.

and all you knew

is that they don't melt in your hands:)

Handshake 101

They say the history of a handshake was to show that you were not concealing a weapon.
There was even a time you could borrow/lend money at a bank with just a hand shake; It was considered a binding contract.

Today it has been deducted to a simple business formality that is often photographed but apart from the business world a handshake displays friendliness, hospitality and trust. It even has been an expression of equality.

I am appalled at how many young people today do not seem to have a clue as to how to shake hands.

Sometimes men tend to give a woman the limp noodle handshake....yuck! and the worst offence.....not looking me in the eye.

Here is handshake 101:
keep the fingers together with the thumb up and open
slide your hand into the other person's so that each person's web of skin between thumb and forefingers touches the other's
squeeze firmly.
A proper handshake:
is firm, but not bone-crushing
lasts about 3 seconds
may be "pumped" once or twice from the elbow
is released after the shake, even if the introduction continues
includes good eye contact with the other person
Extend a hand when:
meeting someone for the first time
meeting someone you haven't seen for a while
greeting your host(ess)
greeting guests
saying good-bye to people at a gathering
someone else extends a hand



So how about you?
Are you comfortable with handshaking?
Does it have special meaning to you?
Have you ever practiced shaking hands with someone?

New Years Eve

New Years Eve is a time when the young people are looking forward to staying up all night and celebrating

and the old people are just hoping to make it to midnight

but both wake up to a New Year

and so, young or old--------------I wish you a

2009

Cold heart

I am one of those people who attend Church regular and give to different charities but there is still a struggle to keep check on toting around a cold heart. Seeing a homeless man on our way to Starbucks this morning was one such incident.

It is cold for here and I could only see the person from a distance...My first thoughts were why was this person sitting there with a sign, this is a nice area, not downtown!

We went inside and had our usual morning specialties, one being hot oatmeal with nuts and fruit and as I looked at that cup of hot oatmeal a thought popped into my mind......"we need to buy that person some hot oatmeal" well of course I tried to cast it aside but to no avail so I finally mentioned it to my hubby. Well, I am really blessed because I have one of those hubbies who is always ready to give so just before leaving he went up and bought the oatmeal to go as well as a very large cup of hot coffee.

You may think that we did something really special for this young man with only a sweatshirt to keep him warm, but in truth....he did something really special for me.....He helped put a crack in an old cold heart and all for just a Starbucks oatmeal...........................

Home Made success

I love to make things for people but many times they aren't what is popular or wanted or needed but his year I hit the jackpot!

Of course I had good subjects to work with:)

Merry Christmas

On my Dec. 4th post I promised to post pictures of my surprise Christmas gift:

Day view

Night view

May the spirit of Christmas be in you heart all year long

The gift that keeps on giving

Go to http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/ to find out more about these gifts that keep on giving. It is an amazing program, only wished I would have done it as a family or group and been able to give more.