The Tale of the Exploding Whale - The Funniest News Story Ever!

Exploding the beached sperm whale.

One of the funniest news stories ever reported took place more than 40 years ago on a beach in Florence, Oregon. It seems that a dead 8-ton sperm whale washed up on the beach. Back in 1970, the Oregon Highway Division was in charge of keeping the beaches cleaned and eventually they were called in to remove the giant rotting whale.  After some thought and discussion, they decided to blow it up. The reasoning was that the whale blubber would be blown to small bits towards the ocean. Then scavengers like crabs and gulls would clean up whatever happened to land on the beach.  To make sure that the whale was blown to smithereens, the director of the project over ruled the demolitions expert who tried to advise him and decided to use 20 crates of dynamite.  Read the whole story and watch the original video of the exploding whale...

The Tale of the Exploding Whale

Photographs of spring flowers from NC

Springtime in Eastern North Carolina has to be the most beautiful time of the year. The mild winter ended early as our camellia bush put on a fantastic display, then spring rushed in with a profusion of flowering plants and trees.

A profusion of camellias - the last fling of winter.

Iris put on quite a show this spring!

 The camellias bloomed for weeks providing me with beautiful cut flowers for our dining table. Of all the flowers of the south, I think that camellias are the most delightful because they bloom in the most unlikely months of the year.  While ours put on their show in February, others are blooming in December and January when everything else is rather drab.










The irises that started out as a few rhizomes from my sister-in-law's garden have taken off. This year, there were dozens of showy purple blooms starting in March. I enjoyed seeing them from my kitchen window, and there were plenty to keep us supplied with cut flowers for the house.

 This wisteria was a surprise. We cut it back drastically last fall because it was trying to take over the world, and I was afraid we had killed it. But, lo and behold, it rewarded us with a cascade of blossoms.










See more photographs of Spring Flowers from My North Carolina Garden here.  

      

Funny Southern Expressions and Sayings

Traveling across the U.S. and spending time in many southern states, we heard many interesting southern expressions. Now, with a home base in North Carolina, we have the opportunity of hearing "southern" almost every day.

I've collected a bunch of southern sayings from all over the South. Some are pretty hilarious, and some I had trouble believing were really ever used until I got comments on my article from readers who said they remembered aunts and mothers or grandparents using those sayings. 


Take a look at the long list of Southern Sayings at this link.


http://stephaniehenkel.hubpages.com/hub/Funny-Southern-Sayings-and-Southern-Expressions

Weird foods - What strange foods do you like?

Pictured below is a plate of Rocky Mountain Oysters. They look harmless enough until you know what they are!   Check out the link below for the full story!

Rocky Mountain Oysters - A "real" man's appetizer!

Thinking about the family cookbook I put together for our family reunion a few years ago made me think about all of the unusual foods that I left out. Every family has its little quirky food preferences that might seem strange to others. In our family, we like to east leftover spaghetti with cinnamon and sugar on it. One of the boys liked mustard sandwiches and a couple of our grandchildren like ketchup on their vegetables.  O.k. a little unusual, but not really weird...

Which made me wonder what other kinds of strange foods people in the U.S. liked to eat.  My discoveries were pretty surprising because in addition to the somewhat acceptable things like alligator, rattlesnake and turtle, I found some really weird things that were brought here by other cultures.

How about corn smut, fertilized duck eggs (balmut), head cheese and civet coffee?  To learn more about these mouth watering foods, check out my article on Strange Foods and Downright Weird Foods that People Eat. 

Tax Time is Looming - How about some deductions?

With less than a week left before tax returns are due, many of us are thinking we should have tended to this task sooner! Are you the kind of person who efficiently files all of your receipts in a shoe box and your bills in a grocery bag and hauls them over to your accountant the day before taxes are due?  More creative types may choose to do their own taxes, and now you get the treat of trying to figure out how to use the IRS free software.  I can tell you from experience that I used to be able to do my taxes quicker on the paper forms than I can with the "easy" free on-line software.  But that's just me.

So you've figured out your taxes and claimed all the deductions you could...or did you? Have you claimed your new swimming pool, your dog or a depletion allowance on your sperm donation?  Try reading this humorous list of deductions that didn't work, and a few very surprising ones that the IRS approved: Funny Tax Deductions and Weird Tax Write Offs

And if you aren't in the mood for fun and games because you are nervous about a tax audit, then be sure to read this one about IRS red flags: How to Increase Your Chances of a Tax Audit

And by the way, no, you can't write off Fido as a dependent even though his vet bills cost more than the kids' orthodontist and he has his own IRA.

And NO, you can't claim your dog! or your cat!

Edible Fresh Flowers to Decorate your Easter cakes

It's spring! Why not celebrate the season with a beautiful cake decorated with edible fresh flowers from your flower garden? Some houseplants, like begonias, are edible too!  The cake pictured is one of several that we decorated with flowers from our lawn and garden. The two rules to remember: a) Always check the list to make sure the flower is edible, and b) Never use flowers that have been exposed to herbicides or pesticides.  This rules out flowers picked along the roadside or purchased from a florist, but you can raid your back yard and flower beds.

For a list of common flowers that are edible and safe to use in or on food check my article: Easter Cake Decorations with Fresh Flowers.  There's also a great little tutorial on how to make candied flowers that will keep for months if stored properly. 

Why am I fat? It's not my fault! See why here...

Why am I fat? It's not all you!  All kinds of things around you, some that you even though were good for you, are conspiring to make you fat.

Here are 16 things that are increasing your risk of obesity:

1.     Your spouse -Does Marriage make you fat?

2.     Your house

3.     Your friends

4.     Baby formula

5.     Your Air conditioner

6.     Your makeup (cosmetics)

7.     Your sleep habits

8.     Your stress

9.     Hormones in the meat you eat

10. Pesticides in your food

11. Your food allergies

12. Plastics and linings of bottles and cans used in food packaging

13.  Cosmetics, fragrances and shampoo

14. Your  non-stick cookware

15. Your mosquito repellent and sunscreen

16. Your diet soda!

Read more on this fascinating topic in my article here: What's Making Your Fat? 10 Surprising Answers

Read more articles by Stephanie Henkel on Health and Lifestyle

Spring is Here! Let's go Camping! Camping Safety Tips

Beautiful spring weather in eastern North Carolina makes us itch to go camping. Trees are beginning to bud, spring flowers are in bloom, grass is turning green. Best of all, the bugs are not out in full force, yet, and the weather is just balmy enough to be comfortable.

Thinking about camping reminds me of the days when we used to tent camp with our kids. In those days, we planned a lot more hiking, climbing and more strenuous activities than we do these days as we camp in comfort in our RV.  But it reminds me that there are still safety precautions we should take when planning a camping trip.

Do review these Camping Safety Tips before you head out with tent, sleeping bags, kids and dogs... or even if it's just the two of you.  There's a nice list of what a good first aid kit should include and reminders about safety in the woods and wild.


 Camping Safety Tips

Stress hormones can cause weight gain!

Many dieters know that they have more trouble sticking to a diet when they're stressed. Most people probably don't know that there is a stress hormone, cortisol, that actually increases their cravings for sweet and fatty foods. This makes sticking to a diet even more difficult. To learn more about the physical effects of stress, check out the article below. It will explain why you are more likely to choose that candy bar or cupcake over healthier, low calorie alternatives. It's not all your fault!

 One way to combat weight gain during times of stress is by stress management techniques. One of the most important is exercise, a great stress buster! For more tips on reducing stress check out my article:

Why Stress Causes Weight Gain or Weight Loss

Can you choose this snack instead of sweets when you are stressed?

Good News for Coffee Lovers - Drinking Coffee Has Health Benefits

 What is better than waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee? For caffeine addicts, the answer is, NOTHING!

Do you love coffee? If you're like me, the coffee pot is always on, and your coffee mug is almost always handy. After years of getting a bad rap, now the health benefits of drinking coffee are recognized. Read this article for some surprising news about what coffee can do for you.


Benefits of Drinking Coffee - Good News for Caffeine Addicts!

Coffee drinkers all know that a cup or two of coffee in the morning helps kick start the day. It wakes us up, makes us more alert and helps us to concentrate on the tasks at hand.  The other good news is that coffee can help reduce risk of cancer and some other diseases. It can lower the risk of depression.  Read the full article for other surprising benefits to drinking coffee. 


 More links to Lifestyle Hubs by Stephanie Henkel

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day: A day to remember love; a day to express love; a day to love love. How much more sentimental can we get about love? We who are in a committed, loving relationship are lucky on Valentine's Day, but the media hype and commercialism makes us think that nothing is enough, nothing is romantic enough. Then there are single people, people with broken relationships, people who don't feel loved.  Valentine's Day can be pretty sad for them.  I hope that everyone can spend this day, not dwelling on what they are missing, but on what they have. Appreciate the love in your live, whether it's your partner, your children, you friends or your pet.  Somebody loves you!

 For a romantic Valentine's Day Idea how about this: Take a Sleigh Ride with Your Valentine! 

RVing Death Valley National Park

 Death Valley National Park is sometimes overlooked as an RVing destination because of the bad press it gets in the summers. With summer temperatures at Badwater, the lowest point in North America, often reaching 120°F, it's definitely not a place you want to camp in July.  However, temperatures in the winter months are balmy, the sun shines almost every day and the air is clear and dry.  RVers gather in one of the several large National Park campgrounds, unhook their tow vehicles and go off to explore the desert.

The beautiful colors of the surrounding hills and mountains are ever-changing as the sun strikes them at different angles. Death Valley offers a diversity of terrain from badlands to mountains. There are old silver mines, perfectly preserved charcoal kilns, the 20-mule team borax wagons and even a castle!

Visit my article: RV Camping in Death Valley National Park to view a slide show of some of the beautiful views at Death Valley.

More links to Full Time RVing

What to do on Super Bowl Sunday if you hate football

It comes as a terrible shock to football falls the world over, but not everyone loves football! There are those whose eyes glaze over when the talk turns to the latest football hero's knee injury, and who really don't care if one guy gets thrown out of the stadium because he did the happy dance after he made a touchdown.

The hype surrounding Super Bowl Sunday makes the day sound like a National, maybe even World, holiday! Well, surprise! There are people out there, myself included, who hate football. If you are among this elite group, then you are probably looking for something else to do while your husband, boyfriends, sons and lovers are drinking beer and yelling at the TV set. You can retaliate with an Anti Super Bowl party of your own, or settle down to do one of the many things that are more interesting than watching the game, like cleaning out your junk drawer or giving yourself a pedicure!

For more creative things to do on Super Bowl Sunday, be sure to read my article: I Hate Football! 25 Things to Do Instead of Watching the Super Bowl

10 Ways to Celebrate Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is February 2nd and marks the cusp of winter for many. Residents of Punxsutawney, PA have a special celebration on Groundhog Day as the trek out to Gobbler's Knob to watch Punxsutawney Phil, the celebrity Groundhog come out of his burrow and look around. Legend has it that if the groundhog sees his shadow on February 2nd, then there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If there is not shadow because of cloudy skies, then spring is on its way!

There are some cute videos out there featuring the Punxsutawney celebration and also featuring groundhogs. did you know there's even a Groundhog Song? Pop by my article on Groundhog Day celebrations to see more. You might even find that special recipe for Groundhog Stew that you've been looking for!

10 Ways to Celebrate Groundhog Day

Cactus of the Southwest - Cactus Photographs

While the greener part of this country offer wonder views of trees, green mountains and rolling hills, the Southwest has it's own unique flavor. I find the most interesting sights are the many kinds of cacti and succulents framed against the bright blue sky and pink tinged clouds. The photo above is of an huge organ pipe cactus  taken at the Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona.

This photo gallery is a collection of cactus photographs that I took on several different trips to the southwest. The article was recently chosen as Hub of the Day on HubPages!

Check out the following site to see all the photos:
Cactus of the Southwest - Cactus Photographs

5 Important Things Grandparents Can Teach Grandchildren - A Grandparent's Role as Teacher

Grandparents have so many opportunities to share with their grandchildren. Here are 5 important things that grandparents can teach their grandchildren in their role as nurturer and teacher.

5 Important Things Grandparents Can Teach Grandchildren - A Grandparent's Role as Teacher

What will be the best day of the year? What will be the Worst day of the year?

Have you ever wondered what the coming year has in store for you? or even the coming week? You can find out the best day of the week to book an airline ticket, do on-line shopping, get married or have sex by reading the article below!  Through extensive research, this article is comprised of scientific facts, Old Wives tales, and opinion poll results. Oh, and some of it is based on phases of the moon...

The Best Days and the Worst Days of the Year

Christmas for Ocean lovers

Do you love the ocean as much as I do? I love beach combing, hunting for shells and driftwood and walking in the surf. Even my home has baskets and bowls of shells that I've collected through the years. In December, I like to turn some of my collections into Christmas decorations, but I also love some of the unique shell and seaside themed Christmas ornaments on the market.

Here's a nice selection of Christmas ornaments with a seaside theme - shells, lighthouses and a  whimsical Santa!

Shells and Seaside Ornaments - Christmas for Ocean lovers

Making Pirogies- Our Christmas Eve Tradition

Serving traditional foods at Christmas time is one of the things that makes the holiday very special. In many families, there are traditional ethnic recipes that have been handed down through the generations. Making pirogies on Christmas Eve for our Christmas Eve supper is one of our family's favorite traditions. The recipes I use today are the same ones that my grandmother taught my mother. There's always something exciting about Christmas Eve morning when we start the process of making the fillings, frying sauerkraut, cooking potatoes, cooking prunes and mixing the cottage cheese filling.

The work area must be prepared as we need a large space to roll the dough and have room for 4 or 6 helpers to work. I put extra leaves in my table and cover it with a clean plastic cloth that will wipe off easily. We also need several oven proof dishes for keeping pirogies warm, a couple of big pots of water, some slotted spoons, a rolling pin.

A non-traditional item has been added in recent years - a pasta machine! We've found that we can roll the dough to the exact right thinness we like by using the pasta rolling machine. The kids love to operate it, too!

For complete recipes and instructions on how-to make pirogies, do visit my hub: Christmas Recipes–Making Pirogies Is A Polish Christmas Tradition

I just came across a wonderful blog: http://bieganski-the-blog.blogspot.com/2012/01/rye-bread-kielbasa-and-kraut-healing.html by Danusha Goska filled with anecdotes of life in Poland. Though not exactly flattering to Polish cooking, it is fascinating reading.

Secrets of the World's Best Pecan Pie

This pecan pie by Crazyhorsesghost on HubPages looks so yummy that I had to repost it. He uses ground pecans as well as whole pecans in the filling. I think the secret lies in the addition of apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness. Mmmm.... I have to make this soon!

The Complete Secrets to a Wonderful Pecan Pie

RVers Winter at Imperial Dam Recreation Areas

RVers are getting ready to head to the southwest for the winter. Many head first to Quartzsite, then go on to the Imperial Dam Recreation Area near Yuma for a couple of months as the seasonal BLM pass for $180 includes camping at Senator Wash, Hot Springs (Holtville, CA) and Quartzsite. We loved Senator Wash when we were there.

We spent a couple of weeks perched on a site overlooking Senator Wash Reservoir with one of the best views in the area. Then we moved on to another area where it was a little lower and less windy, and found that it was also quieter as there were few generators around us.

Since we got our solar panels, we have become generator snobs, and love to be in quieter locations where we don't have to hear the motors running. Unfortunately, BLM lands don't have regulations on how long people can run their generators, and some seem to run them all night and most of the day. It has to cost a fortune in gas!

The photograph is of our campsite overlooking Senator Wash Reservoir. Beautiful views!

For more photographs and information about camping in the Imperial Dam Recreation Area, check out this link:  RV Snowbirds - Boondocking at Imperial Dam Recreation Area and Senator Wash Reservoir.

 

Best Books for RVing and Camping

There are eight books that should be a part of every RVer's library, including basic field guides, camping directories and how to books. Read more here:


Best RVing and Camping Books -Best Field Guides, Directories and How-To books

Wii Games ~ Fun and Fitness for Seniors

Nintendo Wii games are the newest fad for Seniors. Studies have shown that they are good for mental and physical health, aid good balance and help with brain fitness. See full article here:

Wii Games ~ A New Trend for Seniors

Officially addicted to the Internet!

I’m officially addicted! Now I understand what people are talking about when they say they are addicted to the internet. It started out slowly as I checked my email each day. I’d tell hubby “just a minute, I’ve got things to say.” The cat that so loves me would try to climb up on my lap, only to find that my computer was there.

At first, there was my reasoning that I would be making some extra income on HubPages.  Hmmm…it only took me 8 months for my first payout! I don’t even want to know what fraction of a cent that is per hour!   As I got a few hubs published, I had to check the stats regularly— embarrassingly regularly!

Now I get twitchy if I have to be away from my computer for more than a couple of hours. As soon as I make enough money from my hubs, I’m getting one of those iphone or iPads so I can have a constant mainline of internet… quit laughing…it won’t be too many more months!

I used to get up in the morning and have coffee with my husband and talk for a while. Then I’d read a book or do chores around the house, go for a walk, do some gardening…

Now, I get up in the morning, pour a cup of coffee and fire up the laptop. If I go for a walk or ride in the car or out to the garden, I take along my digital camera because I might get that perfect picture for a future Hub. I’ve even found myself  shooting cell phone pictures in the grocery store and at WalMart in case I need a photo of a baking pan or a display of celery or a Halloween costume… I wonder why hubby pretends he doesn’t know me?

Now, I’m really too busy. There are the comments and the fans, and the followers’ hubs, and the forums and announcements and SEO and HTML and learning all the ins and outs of EVERYTHING! Just when I think I’ve got it, someone does something new and creative that inspires me to learn one more new thing.  Oh, shoot, I don’t have time for more new things here!

Now excuse me, but I have to check my stats and my comments and the forum posts…

Here's my poem about Internet addiction called, Go Away!

Manatees at Blue Spring State Park Florida

Manatees are gentle giants - an aquatic mammal that is threatened by loss of habitat and man-made hazards in Florida. In the winter a large number of the remaining population move into Blue Springs State Park where the constant 73° water temperature protects them from dying from the shock of cold water. Photographs and more information here:

Manatees at Blue Spring State Park Florida

Brookgreen Gardens - Gardens and the Sculptures of Anna Hyatt Huntington

Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina should be on everyone's list of things to do while in the Myrtle Beach area.  Brookgreen gardens was founded and designed by Archer M. Huntington, the industrialist, scholar and philanthropist and his wife, the well known sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. These gardens are much different from typical botanical gardens found elsewhere because they feature a fabulous collection of sculptures by American Sculptors amid beautiful outdoor settings. See my article about Brookgreen with lots of photographs of the stunning flowers and scenery to be found here year around.

Brookgreen Gardens - Gardens and the Sculptures of Anna Hyatt Huntington

Getting Old - A Poem for Old People like Me!

You know how some days you just feel old?  And to make it worse, some young whipper snapper will make fun of you because you creak and groan when you get out of your chair?  Some day they will be old, too!

My father in law always said, "Getting old is hell, but it's better than the alternative!"

Anyway, rather than continue to whine and complain, I was inspired to write this poem.  See the complete poem at my HubPages website: Getting Old is Not Amusing

Getting Old is Not Amusing - A Poem by Stephanie Henkel

"There’s no way that I can soften,
Senior moments coming often.
My body, brain and mind are losing,
Getting old is not amusing!"

Read the whole poem Here:
Getting Old is Not Amusing

Here's one of my favorite pictures of my mother during one of her visits to my house.  She was always reading and always had a cat on her lap -- this is just so typical!

A Poem about Getting Old

Don't forget to stop in to read my newest poem, Getting Old is Not Amusing! Sorry I can't reprint it here, but I think it will be worth a trip over to my HubPages site to see it.

Getting Old Is Not Amusing - A Poem

Another copyright infringement discovery!

This time another blogger lifted whole paragraphs from my article The RVing Lifestyle: Living Full Time in an RV. (http://hubpages.com/t/1a10ad) that I published on Oct. 2, 2010. 

Do Bloggers realize that content they find on the web is copyrighted even if there is no copyright symbol on it? Writers like myself are not doing this to help promote other sites! At least give some credit where credit is due by publishing a link to the article you stole!

I was kind this time and wrote to them instead of reporting directly to Google, but this violation could result in being banned from Google and banned from AdSense.  Come on people! Get to know what the rules are before randomly stealing pictures and text from other writer's sites! 

Abandoned Cars and Rusty Trucks - Mother Nature Sculpts Junk into Art

 I just finished putting together a photo gallery of old rusty cars- pictures that I've been collecting for a couple of years. I love the way the red of the rust contrasts with the green grass and weeds around the cars and trucks. While some may view them as junk, I think they are more like sculptures that nature is working on.

We found many of these old cars just parked by the side of the road as we explored some of the back roads in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Sometimes they were nearly hidden by weeds, other times brush was growing right through the old abandoned cars.

In Arizona, we spent the day traveling out to Swansea Ghost Town on rough gravel and dirt roads. When we got there, we found the remains of houses, a store and some mines.  There were two trucks abandoned in the Ghost Town, too, probably there since 1937 when the town was deserted.  Here in Swansea, where the weather is fine and the humidity low, one of these trucks still had white paint on it.

Scenic Byways - A Photo Gallery of Abandoned Cars









This antique car is on one of the scenic byways of South Dakota's Black Hills. It just sits there as Mother Nature slowly does her work.

Wild Ocean Waves in the Outer Banks

It seems that November can be just as rough on the oceanfront as summer hurricane season. We drove down to Kitty Hawk this afternoon, and the wind was driving in from the east at about 30mph.  I love to see the Atlantic Ocean when it's wild and rough, so we drove along the Beach Road to one of the parking areas.  The waves were huge, and crashing onto the beach in piles of white foam. We could see pieces of wood in the waves and several small trees were already lying on the beach.  It is a little dangerous to look at the ocean through the camera lens and not pay attention to what's going on around you.  If it weren't for Bill, I would have gotten quite wet when one of the waves came right up to my feet!

Thinking about crocheting gifts for christmas - a T-shirt rug!

Here's a neat project to do on the cool fall evenings - a rug crocheted from recycled t-shirts!   If you want to make an inexpensive, but nice gift for someone and you have some t-shirts around that are ready to be recycled, how about a t-shirt rug?   The one below is made from about 6 t-shirt that have been cut into strips and crocheted.  Easy instructions with step-by-step pictures for cutting the t-shirts into continuous strips and a free pattern is on my Hub:

Something for Nothing~ How to Make a T-Shirt Rug

Once the strips are cut, the crocheting goes quickly - give it a try! It's a great way to rycycle those frayed and stained t-shirts!

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The Florida Panhandle - A quiet retreat for Snowbirds

One year while spending the winter in Florida, we got tired of the crowds and high prices of the Florida peninsula. Although there is much to see and do in Florida on both the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast, we were taken back by the crowded campgrounds and high prices. So we set out to visit the Florida Panhandle.

Visiting the panhandle is a very different experience than the rest of Florida. We started our exploration at the Suwanee River Campground, near the Suwanee River Wildlife Refuge. From the campground, there was a beautiful boardwalk out to the river and a seating area where you could enjoy the serenity of the water and the wildlife.

Later, we camped at St. George Island State Park which has many miles of beautiful white sand beaches. The little town of Apalachicola is not far away, and a great place to view the fishing boats up close or visit the unusual gift shops and restaurants.

The fishing boats pictures are docked in Apalachicola, Florida, a quaint maritime community on the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle.

Our meanderings also took us past the very interesting Crooked River Lighthouse and, later, to the beautiful Wright Lake campground in the Apalachicola National Forest.

See my hub on RVing Across the Florida Panhandle for a great picture gallery of our adventures.  RVing Across the Florida Panhandle

How to make Peach Brandy? Try this.

 If you want to make your own peach brandy, here's an easy way to do it.  All it takes is peaches, sugar, water and yeast!

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_make_homemade_peach_brandy

Someone Stole My "Make Something from Nothing" Hub!

OK!  I'm REALLY ticked off this morning! Before I even had my second cup of coffee, I discovered that someone had stolen my article, Make Something From Nothing-How to Make T-Shirt Rugs in its entirety.  How to pictures and all!  This hub is one that I've received accolades for on HubPages and have had good traffic since I published it in April 2011.  As I struggle to actually make some money at my writing, it is maddening to discover (this is not the first) that some of my best articles are just lifted whole and republished where they can make money for someone else.  ARGGGGG !!!!!

This a picture of my first t-shirt rug, and the lead picture in my hub about how to make t-shirt rugs.  I'm still proud of it!

Where does Happiness Come From? Seeds of Happiness

Here's a Bluebird of Happiness for you this morning!

What makes people happy or unhappy? I came across this article this morning by Amurbach on HubPages that is a wonderful analysis of what makes people happy. She says that it's 40% of our happiness is due to our own actions, and gives suggestions on how to become happier. She calls this the 5 Happiness Seeds.  See her hub below - it will make you happier!  :)



5 Happiness Seeds

Collecting for Investment? Don't Kid Yourself!

Many of us enjoy collecting something. There’s a little bit of pack rat in all of us and it starts young.  Little boys who keep a pocket full of rocks and frogs in their jeans and little girls have a stash of “precious” play jewelry in their “treasure” boxes.

As we get older we might be intrigued by some particular collectible like Hummel figurines, Match Book cars, Beanie Babies or salt and pepper shakers in the shape of snowmen.  There are an infinite variety of things that will appeal to a collector.

Some people go at the process of collecting with the view that their collections are an investment and will one day be a legacy that they can leave their children.  Oh, yes, we can leave our lucky son or daughter an inheritance of 600 Beanie Babies and a room full of Franklin Mint plates or Precious Moment figurines!  I’m sure they’d rather have these than the thousands of dollars we spent on collecting these precious items through the years.

People, admit it, you collected these things because you like them.  Most of us collect things for reasons that have nothing to do with our common sense.

I am here to do a favor to future generations.  This is the stuff your kids won’t be able to sell to a dealer or even on eBay.  Your carefully preserved, glass encased Beanie Babies will go unloved and unwanted until they are given away to anonymously to the charity Thrift Store.  There you’ll see them for sale for a quarter each in some dusty bin.  That Purple Princess Di that you paid $75 for won’t bring 75¢ at auction.

Collect them if you love ‘em, but you’ll never get your money back on your Beanie Babies or Thomas Kinkade paintings if you try to sell them eBay.  

Here are some of my "precious" Hummel Figurines - basically worth very little on eBay, but I love them!

Here's a list of things that will probably never be worth what you paid for them:

Franklin Mint plates

Danbury Mint coins

Hummel figurines

 Thomas Kinkade paintings

Norman Rockwell plates

Precious Moments figurines

Lladro statues

Cabbage Patch Kids

But if you love them, keep on collecting! What do you care if your kids donate the whole collection to the Salvation Army Thrift Store after you're gone?

Black Forest Cake - this recipe is one of our family favorites!

Mmmm... Made Venison Sauerbraten for dinner last night and had to top it off with a Black Forest Cake! This is about my husband's favorite dinner of all time. There's plenty plenty of leftovers, too!

Get my recipe at the link below.  It includes the made-from-scratch version as well as an easy to do, but still delicious, version made with a cake mix. 

Black Forest Cake ~ A Special Occasion Desert for a Crowd

Do You Have Cyberchondria?

Do you spend many hours on the internet every day researching health issues? Are you obsessed with your symptoms? Do you believe that your symptoms indicate very serious diseases? Cyberchondriacs are Hypochondriacs who have met the internet and fallen in love with the medical sites. Take the Cyberchondriac Quiz to find out if you have Cyberchondria!

Cyberchondria - Hypochondria Meets the Internet

Do You Have Cyberchondria?

Do You Have Cyberchondria? Take the Quiz!

Do you spend many hours on the internet every day researching health issues? Are you obsessed with your symptoms? Do you believe that your symptoms indicate very serious diseases? Cyberchondriacs are Hypochondriacs who have met the internet and fallen in love with the medical sites. Take the Cyberchondriac Quiz to find out if you have Cyberchondria!


Do You Have Cyberchondria?

Halloween is Near!

Halloween is coming!  There are so many things I love about Halloween - the bright colors, the endless candy, the spooky stories, the great costumes!  It's always so much fun to see the kids coming around trick or treating, especially those who wear the great homemade costumes!  I have learned that I need to control the Trick or Treat bowl, though.  At the cost of candy, there's no way I'll let the kids down the street dip their grubby little hands into the bowl and pull out a dozen candy bars!  Last year I went to the dollar store and got glow in the dark bracelets and light sticks for the Trick or Treaters -- they loved it!


  For some more Halloween fun, find out What Your Halloween Costume Says About You.  Ahha...you didn't know what you were revealing about yourself when you chose that costume, did you?

And for some Halloween fun, don't forget to find out how to protect youself against all the spooky things that go bump in the night.  Read Halloween Safety Tips: Charms, Amulets and Protections  to find out what you can do to keep away the ghosts, vampires, witches and werewolves!  Personally, I'm going to make sure I have some garlic cloves and holy water handy!

Go Green with Solar Powered Gifts for Adults and Kids

I'm on a mission to find the best solar powered gadgets and useful items for home, camp and garden. In the process, I've found some unique items, like a solar powered hat with a fan in it, solar powered bird baths and solar powered lanterns. See a full listing of Solar gifts and gadgets at my hub: Solar Powered Gifts and Gadgets. There are some great ideas for gifts as well as for your personal wish list!


Don't forget the kids. Teach kids about the benefits of solar power with these educational kits. They can build their own solar powered cars, planes and trains - no batteries needed! For the younger kids, try a solar powered laptop or a cute little solar powered lantern for a night light. See my hub on http://stephaniehenkel.hubpages.com/hub/Solar-Powered-Gifts-and-Gadgets-for-Kids

Visiting Devils Tower National Monument

While RVing in Wyoming, we decided to visit Devils Tower National Monument. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, we could see the tower from miles away as it jutted up from the flat land around it. The monument has a nice campground which was not yet overflowing when we visited, and we were lucky to find a site where we had a nice view of the tower. Later, we visited the park visitor center and hiked around the tower - farther than it looks! Amazingly, there were rock climbers at different levels on the face of the vertical tower. As slow as they were going, we wondered if they would be spending the night hanging from their ropes and harnesses.

See my article on Devils Tower National Monument for more information, history and photographs of Devils Tower.
Devils Tower National Monument~Facts and Photos of an Unusual Place

RVing Snowbirds are Heading South to Florida, Arizona, Alabama and Texas!

It's nearing the end of October, and RVers are thinking about heading out of snow  country to their winter destinations.  Many will go to Florida, others will head to the Escapees Rainbow Plantations park in Alabama.  Hordes of RVing snowbirds make their way to the Rio Grand Valley in Texas to spend time in the sun with thousands of other RVers. South Padre Island is a popular destination there, too, for those who enjoy the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.


 If your family or friends are heading out now, why not send them on their way with a really useful gift that they can use all winter as well as on any of their camping trips?

Check my Hub, Best Gifts for RVing Snowbirds, for some wonderful gift ideas.  You'll probably even find a few to put on your wish list! There are solar powered chargers and radios, great books and some really useful campground directories that will help you find the prettiest places to camp during your winter travels.

You're Never too Young to Plan for Retirement

Even in your 20's and 30's, you should be thinking about saving for retirement. Sure, it's a long way off, but those years pass quickly, and before you know it, retirement will be looming. As you near retirement, you'll also want to consider some other aspects of retirement like where you will live, what you will do in your leisure time, how you will keep active. Read this article for some great information!


Saving for Retirement -You're Never Too Young to Start Planning for Retirement

We were late planners, only starting in our 40's. By focusing on our goals, we were able to meet target savings and develop a plan that worked for us.  It sure would have been a lot easier if we had started younger, though!

Hate Your Name or Love Your Name - Read This

Hate your name or love your name? Everyone has some feelings about their name. Take a look at this article which discusses The Importance of a Name.  Find out what names are more common to CEOs and which names will cause teachers to give lower grades. If your thinking about baby names, you should read this first!

One interest point about names is that some of the studies were done by researchers in the field of economics. Names of CEO's, buying habits of people with names according to the placement of their names in the alphabet...hmmm...interesting stuff!  Are we relegating our child to a life of being a shopaholic if we name them Zack or Zoe?  Could be!  Read The Importance of a Name -How Your Name Affects Your Life for more insights.

Outer Banks Lighthouses

The Outer Banks of North Carolina, referred to as The OBX by natives, is one of my favorite seaside places. The beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore are still beautiful and the Outer Banks has plenty for visitors to do.  Visiting the lighthouses of the Outer Banks is a must-see activity, and we've enjoyed them all, from Corolla Light in Corolla to Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island. See my hub A Lighthouse Tour of the Outer Banks for more pictures and information on the Outer Banks lighthouses as well as other things to do when you visit.


The picture here is of Bodie lighthouse, across the road from the popular Coquina Beach. Bodie light has recently been renovated. Visitors are allowed inside to view the small museum and entrance to the top,though not yet allowed to climb it.  There is a nice museum and gift shop on the lighthouse grounds in the downstairs of what used to be the lighthouse keeper's house. 

Bodie Lighthouse, Bodie Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Beautiful Lighthouse of the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Ocracoke Lighthouse, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

 Visitors to the Outer Banks of North Carolina come for the beautiful beaches, the great fishing and to see the wonderful historic lighthouses that are scattered on the islands. Read the article below for more information on the lighthouses and a great driving tour.  Lots of photos are included.

A Lighthouse Tour of the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Rhubarb- The first sign of spring in my garden

Rhubarb season was the official beginning of spring in our house and nothing was enjoyed more than that first Rhubarb pie. Here's my favorite recipe, an adaptation of one that my mother made in my childhood.


Here's a great picture of Jeff, Jennifer and Stephen showing off some of their finest pies.

See my hub for lots of facts and information on Rhubarb. AND the best recipe for Rhubarb Pie ever! 

Rhubarb, the Harbinger of Spring, and The Perfect Rhubarb Pie

Do You Hate Swimsuit Season, too?

I really do hate swimsuit season, but not as much now as when I was younger. There something about all those magazine articles showing skinny models in bathing suits next to the new diets and ways to lose that horrible 5 lbs. you put on since last year...


Don’t Tell Me I Need to Slim Down for Swimsuit Season!

Funny story about the great blue heron and fishing on St George Island in Florida

 We loved camping on St. George Island at the state park there.  It has miles and miles of white sand beaches that are mostly empty in the winter.  The weather is mild enough to enjoy the beach, though not to go swimming.  The campground at the park is across the road from the beach, so there are no water views, but it's set in the pine forest with sunshine filtering in, and is very nice.  This park is popular with RVing snowbirds, so be sure to make reservations ahead. Stays are limited to 14 days.

This is a great story about the fish that got away with the pole. Neat pictures of the Great Blue Heron that stalked the fisherman on St. George Island on the Florida Panhandle.

The Great Blue Heron and The Fishing Fiasco on St. George Island

The great blue heron stalks fishermen on the beach in hopes of getting a discarded piece of bait or even a fish that's being thrown back because it's too small.  This guy was lucky - he got a nice little fish out of a tidepool!  For more pictures of the Florida Panhandle, see my recent photo gallery: RVing Across the Florida Panhadle.