Fluffy Vanilla Pancakes

Hands up who loves pancakes?! I do! I do! Just thought I'd share a little easy peasy recipe I often use. These pancakes are really vanilla-ey, I love it. I hope you'll enjoy it too!

1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups self-raising flour
1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/3 cup caster sugar

Whisk milk, egg and vanilla together in a bowl. Sift flour, sugar and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Make a well in centre. Add milk mixture. Whisk until just combined. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Brush pan with butter. Depending on how big you want your pancakes to be, I use a medium sized soup ladle for each pancake.

Cook each pancake for 3 to 4 minutes or until bubbles appear on surface. Turn and cook for 3 minutes or until cooked through. Remember, DO NOT FLATTEN your pancakes during this stage. Pressing it will not make it cook faster. Top with blueberries, jam, butter or honey or all if you like. Enjoy! xo

designer studio: mina + olya

If you recall from a few weeks back, I recently sported this blue wool dress, sharing my newfound love for the San Francisco-based design duo -- Mina + Olya. What I didn't share, however, is how I just came to meet these lovely ladies. While I had admired them from afar (especially after Erin's post about them here) I hadn't actually tried on one of their pieces until their team graciously shared one with me to style for myself. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity. Their designs are perfect for a working woman's wardrobe -- polished, timeless silhouettes with an element of surprise in the details and fabric. (Plus, their manufacturing processes are completely sustainable and based in the Bay Area.)

The dress was, needless to say, a hit at work, after which I headed out to a few evening events where I bumped into Olya herself. We were standing in the middle of the H&M Margiela pre-launch shopping event chaos, arms full of clothes we had just grabbed, both totally surprised and delighted to meet the other! We promptly made plans for me to visit their studio, and of course, to meet Mina -- all of which was a perfect way to spend this past Sunday. Being former colleagues at a financial consulting firm (they quickly bonded over their love of good clothing and design), Mina and Olya chatted with me about how they first started out, the challenges and triumphs of launching your own business with your best friend and how to find the perfect fabric.  

Here are just a few snaps from my afternoon with them -- I hope you enjoy! And be sure to stay tuned for an extra special outfit post tomorrow. You might be seeing a particular Mina + Olya design around these parts...

Above left: Inspiration swatches on one of their moodboards. Above right: Took a lot of strength to walk away without this forest green dress in my bag.

Above: Just a few of my favorite looks from their Spring 2013 collection. That yellow dress has my name all over it!

Above: Moodboards, moodboards, moodboards!

Above: One of Olya's sketches -- how insane are the hip details here?

All studio photos are my own, collection images are courtesy of Mina + Olya

Gazan call to break humanitarian law - in front of ICRC

Terrorist Leila Khaled, who has been visiting Gaza for the past week, called for Palestinian Arabs to kidnap more Israeli soldiers to hold them hostage for more prisoner swaps.

Speaking in front of a group of families of terrorists in Israeli prison, Khaled said that "resistance" is the only way to get them released.

Taking hostages is a war crime under international humanitarian law.

But the venue for Khaled's call for this war crime was in front of the International Committees of the Red Cross in Gaza - an organization dedicated to upholding international humanitarian law!

The irony of using the ICRC as a stage to call for war crimes is apparently lost on Gazans.

Hamas has recently made similar calls to perform the war crime of taking hostages. The media ignored it, of course, as it has ignored Khaled's call today.

Easiest American Sticky Ribs Recipe EVER!

I know this is a pretty failed attempt in terms of painting but nevertheless, still a recipe to share! Mix everything together, leave it to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. (I once waited 24 hours, even better!) Then bake everything in an oven at 170 degrees till cooked, dark and sticky!

I've made this several times and have had friends asking for the recipe too. Such a fool-proof, easy peasy recipe. I hope you'll like it too! Enjoy xo

 PS: Don't worry about the amount of juice/sauce/marinade in the bowl post marinating. There will be lots! I simply use tongs to place my raw ribs out on a baking dish. I then use a spoon or brush to 'ladle' spoonfuls of marinade over each rib before placing it all into the oven. I repeat this process again halfway through baking, when ribs are about 3/4 cooked. This helps to ensure my ribs stay moist and juicy!

Bonus Chanukah video 2: The Fountainheads, iHanukkah

(h/t Hugo Van Minnebruggen)

Israeli company markets Gaza produce to Europe; BDS hypocrites want to boycott them

From FreshPlaza:

Arava, a prominent export company from Israel, has recently declared the commencement of the strawberry season in the Gaza Strip. This unique cooperation between Arava Export Growers Ltd. and the Growers' Societies in the Gaza Strip promote commerce and shared interests. "It goes without saying that we are all committed equally to see this venture through and bring prosperous financial success to both sides as well as strengthen relationships between Israel and the Gaza Strip" claimed Arava.

The season itself it expected to last till mid-February with cumulative amounts of approximately 400 tons of fruit. The variety chosen this year is Tamar, a very well known specimen of strawberry which is best characterized by its sweet flavor, tenderness and, extended shelf life. To add some spice and differentiation, Arava Export Growers Ltd. had taken upon itself the task of branding this year's yield by perfecting the sorting process for better consistency and quality. In addition to that, Arava is introducing a new line of packaging that includes black boxes, designed punnets and attractive stickers. "This action is for the benefit of ensuring superior quality, consistency and, distinctiveness. We want to make sure that European markets will be well aware of the Gaza Strawberries and, consciously, place them on a higher rank than the competition".

In recent months steps had been made by Palestinian Crops to certify all growers with a Global Gap certificate and, at the same time, implement a strict protocol for MRL residue levels.

Omer Kamp, of Arava, said "It is with great pride that we can proclaim to have tested the fields with ZERO tolerance and yet, achieve full success. All growers are now certified and, with no exception, MRL tests came out clean.

"It is essential to point out that many efforts were given for this season to succeed. Aside from the technical issues, the growers and Arava are fully committed to show the benefits of mutual cooperation and how it could make a difference in perceptions."

Fruit is now available in packaging of 10x250 and is available from:

Fruit World NL.
Total Produce Ireland.
Pacific Produce UK.
Garden Frutta Italy.

We have seen that the Israel boycotters have also boycotted exporters of produce from Palestinian Arab farmers - because to these hypocrites, it is more important to hurt Israeli companies than it is to help Palestinian Arabs!

From this article you can see that Arava adds value to the products, and is actively marketing them to European wholesalers. It is a true partnership between Israelis and Gazans, Arava isn't marketing the strawberries as Israeli, but is attempting to help brand Gaza as a source for high-quality produce!  Arava's actions today can help Gazans for decades. It is exactly what people who espouse peace say they want to see.

But Arava is also on the boycotters' lists.

Here we have a list of EU wholesalers that sell Gaza produce, which are marked "Produce of Palestine" and labeled Palestine Crops.

The boycott crowd, that pretends to be pro-Palestinian, wants you to avoid buying anything that says "Produce of Palestine."

Orwell himself couldn't have made this up.

Babies. Kids and babies all over the place!

One.Two.Three.Four.Five.Six.Seven.Eight.Nine.Ten.Eleven.Twelve.Thirteen

Lately, my family's been overrun by the arrival of all sorts of new babies. I could not be happier. I am baby obsessed. Love them. Love everything about them. 

So, of course I have been looking at all the cuteness I'll be able to gift them this Christmas. These are just some of my faves.

Again, my friends at Beso.com are having a sweet $100.00 giveaway and you could be the lucky winner. 

To enter:

- Like Beso on Facebook.

- Leave a comment on any of my Beso.com collection posts, with your Beso.com user name.

That's it!  Good luck, y'all.

From #Al-Zawahiri to #Abu-Ismail : Lead the revolution !!!

Ayman Al Zawahiri has just sent a video message to the new leader of the revolution in Egypt Hazem Salah Abu Ismail !!

Complete the revolution , fight the corrupted , liberate Egypt from American Israeli fellowship and stand for Sharia along your followers through incitement !!!

Ironically Ayman Al Zawahiri considers the current rulers are corrupted and he does not mention Morsi at all as if he is insignificant person !!!

I do not know if it is a game or what !? You know Abu Ismail trashes the current regime online so the current Islamist regime appears moderate for the West !!

I know the theological and political difference between Al Qaeda and MB . Still I cannot forget the fact Al Zawahiri’s uncle was a leading member in the MB and Ayman Al Zawahiri’s future went upside down when he was arrested in 1960s and brutally tortured in Nasser’s jails for the suspicion of being a Muslim brotherhood member. It is also worth to mention that Abu Ismail was a member in the Muslim brotherhood but left the group because he had a great ambition as you can tell.

#MediaCity_Sitin : This does not look good

For days now hundreds of extremists and conservatives are having at sit in at Media city in October City. These extremists led by Salafists “Mainly Salafist Front” as it seems and Hazem Abu Ismail are claiming that they want to purge the media !!!
“To purge the media” actually is actually underestimating to what these guys want. They want to close the channels and punish those TV presenters who are against Sharia and Islam. You got the most radical chants and the most scariest slogans that would make investors and tourists think twice to come to this country.
Today we find the protesters at that sit in butchering a calf distributing its meat to the protesters. “Actually I consider a way to attract the poor to get free meat” 

Meat in Media city sit in

The calf’s price is expensive and yet you find the MB and Salafists claim that the protesters in Tahrir and Presidential Palace’s sits in are enjoying gourmet foods !!
Strangely nobody speaks about the amount of lies spread in the Salafist channels like El Hafez and the MB official channel "Misr 25” !!
Ironically that Sit in is led by none other than Egypt’s Jim Jones aka Hazem Salah Abu Ismail , whom without the media exposure and interview provided by TV private channels he would not be that known and famous !!

Sleepy Hazem today at the siege !!

Here is a video shot in the morning showing the protesters doing some exercises around the city and do not ask me why !?

Some smart people will say , ok Zeinobia : what about the Ultras siege to the media city ? Well I will say that in perfect world I will refuse both sieges but I understand more the motives of the Ultras boys and their broken heart on their friends then these extremists.
I know I will be preached about those TV hosts like Amr Adeeb and Lamis El Hadidy and their past and stances from former regime and the revolution but freedom of expression is clear and if a single hair from Lamis’ head is touched , tomorrow my head will be touched.
I know that Egypt’s position from Press Freedom index unfortunately is going from bad to worse to worst when it comes to safety. Yes we attack President Morsi like no other but now we are worried on the reporters and journalists’ safety.

Update :

I found this video for the followers of the radical crazy guy Abdullah Badr “who supports President Morsi madly” are vowing to attack Bassem Youssef because he dared and mocked Badr

I do not know if I should wonder where the police is. Of course I know the counter argument that protesters are having sits in at Tahrir square and presidential palace plus this freedom of expression. It is an irony because these people do not believe at in freedom of expression and are actually protesting
This is not good.

Movie Themes: Psycho

Chanukah video night 3: Shine (Maccabeats)

Monday link-dump

From Ian:

---

Michael Oren WSJ OpEd: The Iron Dome Military Revolution
Historically, defensive measures lag behind offensive capabilities. Not so with Israel's new antimissile system. by Michael Oren

“By neutralizing most rockets headed for populated areas, the Iron Dome gives decision makers invaluable time to find diplomatic solutions. If salvos of rockets were pummeling Israeli homes, hospitals and schools, Israeli leaders would be under immense pressure to order ground operations that could yield significant casualties. By denying the terrorists a decisive offensive advantage, Iron Dome will save lives and prevent wars.”

Melanie Phillips: A double-standard abstention

"Yet here’s the really delusional thing about the UK’s peace-process obsession. It is precisely because the Palestinians refuse to co-operate with this supposedly vital process that the UK is ever more desperate to get them on board.So instead of punishing them for not co-operating, it turns a blind eye to every outrage they commit — while blaming Israel, whose own willingness to negotiate they take for granted, for “provoking” them."

Barry Rubin: Israel Has No Other Alternative But the Alternative it Has is a Good One

"The Palestinian leadership, abetted by many Western governments, has now torn up every agreement it made with Israel. Once the efforts of two decades of negotiations—including irrevocable Israeli compromises in giving the Palestinian Authority control over territory, its own armed forces, dismantling settlements, and permitting billions of dollars of foreign aid to the Palestinians—were destroyed, the world has decided to focus the blame on Israel approving the construction of 3000 apartments."

Oren: Israel will act if Hezbollah gets Syrian WMDs
Ambassador to the US says Israel has "a very clear red line" on Syrian chemical weapons, but also supports Obama's red line.

"Were those weapons to pass into the wrong hands, into Hezbollah's hands for example, that would be a game changer for us." Armed with chemical weapons and a large cache of rockets, Oren said, the terrorist group could kill "thousands of people."

Report: Assad Has Transferred WMDs to Hezbollah

"A report from Israel’s Channel 2 says that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has passed chemical weapons along to Hezbollah. Channel 2 cites Syrian media which uses as its source officers that have defected from Assad’s army. Channel 2 does, however, maintain that the report is almost impossible to verify."

German spy chief: Signs show Assad regime is in its final phase
Government forces concentrating on holding capital, rebels better coordinated, says Gerhard Schindler

Abbas warns Israel against withholding taxes, says he may turn to ICC
PA president says he wants to continue peace process, but will go to The Hague if Israel violates existing agreements

Abbas calls for economic agreement with Israel to be amended
The PA is ‘on the verge of collapse,’ says Palestinian president, declaring the need for a constitution

Bibi: Why Doesn’t Abbas Condemn Hamas’ Threat to Destroy Us?

Mashaal has revealed Hamas’ real face, says Netanyahu, while Abbas hides behind him by not condemning remarks to destroy Israel.
"He noted that Abbas, who has fostered an image of a “peace partner” while recently declaring unity with Hamas, “has issued no condemnation, not of the remarks about the destruction of Israel, just as previously he did not condemn the missiles that were fired at Israel.”

Hamas leader says Gazans destroyed Barak’s home, will target Netanyahu’s next
Khaled Mashaal praises attacks on Tel Aviv and calls for Palestinian unity, in speech to Gazan students

IDF: Hamas trying to activate W. Bank sleeper cells
Terror organization is attempting to gradually regroup after its infrastructure was destroyed in 2002 operation.

CIF Watch: Guardian editorial takes the side of Morsi (or Mubarak?)

"The Guardian is not only supporting a racist, antisemitic, anti-Christian, anti-West Islamist movement, but are remaining loyal even when a more liberal alternative is possible.You don’t need to agree with our critique of the paper’s coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict to acknowledge that the ‘Guardian Left’ ideology in many ways resembles the reactionary right more than anything truly progressive?

BBC Watch: Compromising public perceptions of BBC impartiality

"Sadly – for both its colleagues in the field in which it operates and the many people around the world in need of the human rights sector – there is nothing novel about the seemingly interminable ability of ‘Human Rights Watch’ to bring itself into repeated disrepute and compromise its own reputation for impartiality."

PMW: Hamas: Martyrdom death for Allah is ideal
"We love death more than you love life" "You [Israel] scare us with what we love"



Honest Reporting: Crossing the Line? Promoting Petitions Against Israel
“One can’t think of the Mount of Olives as real estate. It is important for the three monotheistic religions.” (?)

Our man in Cairo

"And let’s be honest: The Obama administration has been Morsi’s main enabler. U.S. officials have worked closely with him on economic development and regional diplomacy. Visiting Washington last week, Morsi’s top aides were touting their boss’s close contacts with President Obama and describing phone calls between the two leaders that led to the Gaza cease-fire."

Inside Look at Muslim Brotherhood’s Torture Chambers
"The Muslim Brotherhood replaced Mubarak, but torture chambers remain the same despite the US attempt to make Egypt safe for democracy."

Iranian agents reportedly on hand as North Korea prepares to test launch rocket
Long-range launch delayed, though window remains open; Iranian experts believed to be from company that developed Shahab missile

Envoy's sole 'wounds' Ahmadinejad's soul
Swedish ambassador inadvertently offends Iranian president by crossing his legs during meeting, not knowing that in Islam, shoes are considered impure

Syrian Rebels Tied to Al Qaeda Play Key Role in War
"The lone Syrian rebel group with an explicit stamp of approval from Al Qaeda has become one of the uprising’s most effective fighting forces, posing a stark challenge to the United States and other countries that want to support the rebels but not Islamic extremists."

Syria: Rebel Prisoners On Their Religious War
"This led to a question about the future of Syria's minorities such as the Christians. Ahmed, Basah, and Hamid Hassan all agreed - Christians could only live there if they either converted, or paid the 'Jizyah' - a special tax levied on non-Muslims in previous centuries in the Middle East. If not said Bahar, they could be killed.
When asked why, the answer was, to them, quite simple - because the Prophet Mohammed said so. I was then invited to become a Muslim."

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces: 2012 FIDF Gala VIDEO



Cancelling cancer cells with new radiation

“It disrupts their activity, although we don’t yet know how beyond some speculation regarding the mechanism,” says Asher Yahalom, head of Ariel University Center’s Free Electron Laser (FEL) Laboratory User Center, who also noted that the rays seem to have no effect on normal cells.

Israeli ambassador visits her Ethiopian hometown

Nearly three decades after immigrating to Israel, Belaynesh Zevadia returns to her village in Ethiopia, this time as Israel's ambassador
"The ambassador arrived at the village with a group of Israeli eye doctors who work with Eye from Zion, an organization that provides medical humanitarian aid across the globe. The doctors set up two clinics where they are to undertake an eye surgery "marathon," aiming to restore the eyesight of some 1,000 Ethiopians, including some who have been blind for many years

---

Also:

Barry Rubin: A Turning Point in Egypt: Not on Direction But on the Speed of Islamist Transformation

Cool waterfall at Ben Gurion Airport (h/t Alexandre):

#Morsi changes his mind a lot as it seems

And so in a very late hour , at about 2.30 AM we found that President Morsi decided to retract his decision to increase taxations and customs in Egypt !! He only delayed the increase in taxations and customs to the new fiscal year in Egypt which means in Next July 2013 insh Allah we have this increase.

Now the million dollar question that made Mostafa Al Naggar , Basem Kamel and Nader Bakkar agree for the first time despite their political and ideological differences : What kind of decision making process is being adopted in Presidency !!??

I mean you can not take this decision to increase taxation suddenly like this in this terrible time  without knowing its consequences otherwise you do not understand politics or economy.

And now I will end with that comment from Rafa’a El Tahatawy , the chief of staff in presidency today

The president could not keep thinking about the consequences of such decision and its impact on the poor after returning home !! Thus he decided to delay it !!

I hate to say but Zakaria Azamy with all his corruption used to say better excuses than this !!

And like many Egyptians wondered today , what will President Morsi do if he faces war decision !!??

Israel drafts "puppies are cute" UN resolution. Arabs oppose it.

Israel drafted a General Assembly resolution to promote entrepreneurship.

While it did pass overwhelmingly, 129-31, the Arab countries voted as a bloc against it.

Only because it was submitted by Israel.

The reasons the Arabs gave for opposing it were quite funny:

RABEE JAWHARA ( Syria), making a general statement, said Israel was attempting to monopolize the Second Committee’s work by submitting draft resolutions that portrayed it as a peaceful State seeking to work within the United Nations. However, such drafts did not camouflage Israel’s human rights violations and occupation, he stressed, pointing out that, even as it submitted the text, Israel restricted any chance of entrepreneurship in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the occupied Syrian Golan. It was guilty of several examples of policies that restricted business and economic growth in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan, and had continuously failed to comply with United Nations resolutions. He urged Committee members to vote against the draft so as to send a signal that Israeli must end the occupation.

AMER HIAL AL-HAJRI (Oman), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, noted that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had shown that Israel’s occupation continued to undermine the rights of Palestinians, particularly their ability to engage in entrepreneurship. The Arab Group had proposed changes to ensure balance in the text, but had been unable to achieve that, he said. As such, it was obliged to vote against the draft resolution.

MOHAMED KHALIL HUSSEIN (Egypt) also said the text lacked balance, particularly given its focus on national policies for entrepreneurship, and did not take into account the need to create an internationally conducive climate and to establish support in that regard. A multilateral, transparent and open regime was needed, with no barriers in the way of developing countries. Finance, the transfer of technology and capacity-building must also be included, he said.

The draft resolution also failed to take into account the conclusions of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) report on the condition of the Palestinian people, he continued. It showed that Israel’s occupation and blockade undermined opportunities for marketing and drained natural resources, meaning that the area lacked necessary land for production. That discouraged private investment and increased risks and production costs.

He said his delegation had tried to address the imbalances mentioned by taking part in discussions, but agreement on implementation had proven impossible because developed countries had changed their position at the last minute. The co-sponsors had ignored the UNCTAD reports, but Egypt was unable to ignore them, especially since the draft sought to promote entrepreneurship internationally, he said. As such, Egypt would vote against the draft.

The fact that the Arabs would vote against it was never in doubt. Their only disagreements were what reason to give for the record.

Ron Prosor gave a zinger to those opposed to the resolution:

RON PROSOR ( Israel) said entrepreneurship offered developing communities the best hope for breaking the cycle of poverty. The actions of entrepreneurs had a ripple effect, unlocking minds and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. By adopting the draft resolution, the Committee was sending a clear and simple message that entrepreneurship was a primary pathway to sustainable economic growth.

He went on to say that while he had hoped for consensus, the Arab Group had been committed to voting against it even before negotiations had ended. Recalling that people in the Arab world had risen against their Governments precisely because they wanted better conditions, he said that by failing to respond, Arab Governments had “turned their backs on their own people” and sent a clear message that they cared far more about “petty politics than human prosperity”. Israel’s achievements were the result of close collaboration between business and Government, he said, adding that stability required people’s empowerment.

(While there is no written record of what changes the Arabs wanted to make to the resolution to make it more "balanced," almost certainly they wanted to hijack it and turn it into an resolution bashing Israel.)

(h/t Margie)

How I Came to Write This Story: Dale Philips

The new Nightfalls anthology is a good thing, a collection of fine stories where the proceeds go to help those less fortunate.

When editor Katherine Tomlinson asked me if I'd like to submit a story, I said yes, and told her I'd just published a collection of stories about the end of the world, Apocalypse Tango: http://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Tango-Five-Story-Collection/dp/1477514902/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355098564&sr=1-1&keywords=apocalypse+tango

Uh... she said, well, that's what the new collection is about.
Okay, no problem, I'll just write another one...
But I'd used up my available scenarios.

When she told me about the charity the proceeds were going to, the idea began to form. Since the last night of 12/21 was so close to Christmas, it grew to having the apocalypse seen through the eyes of a young Latino child, who's confused as to why the grownups are acting so strangely around the time Santa is supposed to come. And since the Los Angeles area charity was there, that became the locale, and even the theme. The prompt for the collection guided precisely what the story was to be.

Within the tale, I wanted to explore the different reactions that people would have: some lose themselves in drinking or drugs, some end on their knees praying for salvation or redemption, some who would like to end with pleasures of the flesh (going out with a bang, not a whimper), some in finally getting that one thing they've always dreamed of, and some, committing that last act of ultimate love.

And a nod to the apocalypse coming 50 years after the Cuban Missile Crisis, when we came within a whisker of having it happen then. Plus ca change, you know...

Religion, death, Christmas, love, and the end of the world, all in a few thousand worlds. Guess that says it all.

The Dissolving Tree

I don't know what the weather is like in the rest of the country (or the world for that matter) but here in the Southwest US things are warm. Warmer than usual. This time last year we'd had snow a few times. Now, I'm not complaining...I'm not much for cold...but it hit me two nights ago that Christmas is pretty much 2 weeks away. 2 weeks! I'm nowhere near ready. The warmth fooled me into thinking I had plenty of time. I have all these projects I wanted to do and gifts to finish making. Eek!

One of the many things on my list to make are mini Christmas trees. You know how some people LOVE snowmen, or santas, or snowflakes? Well Christmas trees are my Christmas thing I obsess over. Ok, I don't obsess, but I love them. I want to make mini trees, make tree wall hangings, make a tree table runner, and I'd have 5 real Christmas trees if that wasn't a little overboard. I had all sorts of plans for the tree stuff I was going to make this year and now we'll be lucky if we have time to even go cut our Christmas tree (the permit to cut a tree is free here...can't pass up free, especially for a real tree and an adventure). So...I was excited to receive Allison's email and see that someone is getting to at least attempt to make their little mini trees. 

The Original Pin

http://www.alderberryhill.com/glass-christmas-trees/

Allison's story goes like this:

"I had spent weeks looking at them and picking out the perfect spot in my living room to display them. The directions were simple... assemble a Styrofoam Stack Tree kit, paint it, glue on the clear glass discs... how hard could that be?!"

"Somewhere along the way...this simple craft became a nightmare."  

The Pinstrosity

"First... the Styrofoam Stack trees were almost impossible to find in craft store but I ended up ordering them from Amazon.  The product is actually spelled "stak tree" unlike the "stack tree" referred to in the original post, which did not make googling them any easier.   I decided on a 12" tree and a 18" tree so my finished product would look like the blog picture."

"The original directions said to assemble the trees then paint them with craft paint and a foam brush. Well I was too excited to get these cool looking trees in my living room, so hand painting them was not going to cut it. I used green spray paint.  I let my boyfriend talk me into a formula with paint and primer in one can with the idea that it would help keep the foam from absorbing the paint."  

"I sprayed the taller, thicker tree first, took my time with thin even coats, and it looked great.  Then my boyfriend sprayed the smaller tree, spending much less time than I did, but again it looked great.  As we stood there admiring our work I heard a faint crackling noise... I leaned down to our freshly painted trees only to realize that the spray paint was dissolving them.  The entire surface of the smaller tree had holes forming before our eyes and it started to lean to one side.  By this point I could not bare to watch so I left them to dry for a few hours."  

"The end result was a slightly smaller, tilted 12" tree and a perfect 18" tree.  One down.. one left...so I still had hope."  

"I decided to test out the glass discs on the smaller tree because it clearly was not going to make the final cut.  I began with E6000 glue.  Again not following the directions which involved a hot glue gun.  E6000 clearly says on the label that it shouldn't be used on styrofoam, but I went ahead and did it anyway.  I figured the spray paint would act as a barrier.  I got one row of disc glued on when the bottom layer of styrofoam began to dissolve.  The glue had softened it and the discs were so heavy the tree was starting to tip to one side even more.  I picked the tree up to move it and crack!  The bottom two layers disconnected from the top layers.  I had learned NOT to use that glue, so I attempted the second test layer with a hot glue gun.  My glue gun is a small one temp gun that doesn't get very hot, but it did get hot enough for the glue to eat right through the remaining styrofoam.  I don't know what kind of gun was used for the original project but there was no way my little glue gun was going to work.  I finally tried plain white glue and that could not dry fast enough to hold the glass on... I found them all on the table after 5 minutes."

"I decided to keep the larger tree, which looks pretty good for now, and use it for a totally different, non-Pinterest related project."

Well...now we know a few things NOT to do with this project. Let's go through those and talk about what you maybe should do. 

Now...first one...and this one bites me in the backside all the time...deviation from the directions. But come on...who follows the directions every single time? I don't. I read something...look at what I have in my stash and try to make do so I don't have to go buy something else that will just end up in my craft stash. That and I read the directions and think, "Man...I could way simplify that." Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. This is a time it didn't work.

So now the paint. Spray paint and I have a rocky relationship. I will almost always opt for regular craft/acrylic paint rather than spray paint. Emilee however is a spray paint champion. We'll have to ask her about the spray paint part of this and if she knows any tricks. But from my experience, here's what I can tell you: craft paint is way way less harsh than spray paint. I've yet to see it dissolve or eat into anything (I have had Allison's experience of hungry spray paint). It can take longer to do the initial painting, but with styrofoam it may just be worth the extra time in the beginning. 

Third...the glue. I'm still getting to know which glues are perfect for various surfaces, but in my Reference Section board on Pinterest I have this handy little chart saved: 

"* These glues are not ideal for adhering the material but can be sufficient if the project is small and lightweight, and non-functional (craft only). When using hot glue for styrofoam projects, choose a low-temperature glue gun only. High-temperature hot glue will most likely refuse to bond and melt the plastic, which gives off harmful fumes. Also note that only waterproof glues should be used on ceramics such as mugs, dishware and vases. Lastly, if your paper projects involve fine artwork (or anything you’d like to keep for a very long time) you should use archival adhesives instead of the standard glues above." Check out their site, they have some great tips and tricks:
http://www.designsponge.com/2011/07/diy-101-building-your-toolbox-adhesives.html#more-110297

The white glue probably would have worked over time, but you'd have to sit and hold each glass piece on until the glue has dried enough. This isn't too bad if you're doing this while watching a show...but if you're just sitting at the table staring at the wall...that would get old. But hey...there are worse things to do, right?

I think those were the main two issues with the project here...the fast route (spray paint and high heat hot glue) were just too harsh. This project makes you slow down and take a look at life and smell the roses and count the dirty spots on your floor as you sit and hold the glass while the glue dries. 

Jordan pushes Jerusalem as "eternal capital of Arab culture"

Qudsmedia reports that Jordan is pushing an initiative to declare Jerusalem as the "eternal capital of Arab culture."

Officials are pushing the idea of Jerusalem cultural festivals "to affirm the importance of the city and its holy sites."

During Jordan's illegal occupation of Jerusalem, while it did encourage pilgrims to visit to gain tourist dollars, the nation did little to actually improve the city. King Abdullah II's father famously never visited Jerusalem after his own grandfather, Abdullah I, was assassinated in the Al Aqsa mosque.

Jordan did attempt to Islamicize Jerusalem. Not only did it destroy over 50 synagogues in the city and thousands of Jewish graves in the Mount of Olives, and deny Jews from visiting holy places there, but it also placed restrictions on Christian land ownership and schools in the city.

In 2009, Jerusalem was named the Capital of Arab Culture. The half-built website still exists where pains are taken to deny any Jewish connection to the city. Interestingly, most Arab nations all but ignored the initiative.

As usual, Arabs are using the word "culture"  as cover for politics.

David N. Myers, the historian who doesn't know history

From the chair of the UCLA History department, David N. Myers, at The Daily Beast/Open Zion:

Sixty-five years ago, the Zionist movement scored the greatest success in its history—recognition on November 29, 1947, by the United Nations General Assembly, of the idea of a Jewish state in Palestine. U.N. General Assembly resolution 181 called for the creation of a Jewish state alongside an Arab State, with Jerusalem as an international protectorate. It was this diplomatic act that brought the State of Israel into existence.

Myers then draws a tendentious analogy between the 1947 UN partition vote and the recent UNGA vote upgrading the PLO's status to a non-member state.

Given that Myers is a historian, the bolded statement is astonishing.

Myers no doubt knows that General Assembly resolutions do not create states, and UNGA 181 in 1947 was no exception. UNGA resolutions have no force in international law.

Israel was not created by that resolution. It was created because Zionists fought for a state in the vacuum left by the departing British in May of 1948, against combined Arab armies, and survived. In 1949 the Security Council then admitted Israel as a member, but its existence as a state was established beforehand - by the Zionists winning a defensive war.

If Myers were correct, then Arab Palestine was also "brought into existence" in 1947. Obviously it wasn't, and there was essentially no call for an Arab Palestinian state at the time, even from Palestinian Arabs themselves. Palestinian Arab nationalism - both the original variety before 1948 and the post 1967 variety -  is entirely a reaction to Zionism and Israel, as opposed to an movement for self-determination of a people. This weakness of Palestinian Arab nationalism, and the frantic attempts to manufacture a retroactive history  and culture of Palestinian Arab peoplehood, is perhaps a fascinating topic for historians who are not blinded by ideology.

(Bizarrely, Myers also says "As a result of that armed conflict, the State of Israel came into existence." But his basic thesis in the article is the analogy between the 1947 partition vote and Abbas' stunt as both being momentously important.)

Myers also lies when he says "It is the Palestinians who, through their request for recognition by the U.N. General Assembly affirmed the long-standing principle of partition. By seeking sovereignty in territories currently occupied by Israel, they are affirming the ideal of two states, Jewish and Palestine, dwelling side by side."

Of course, the Palestinian Arabs do not accept the idea of a Jewish state, and have made that very clear. In fact, they are willing to actively disregard history itself if it contradicts their goals. They are as insistent that Israel be the home of hundreds of thousands of so-called "refugees," destroying the Jewish state, as they are on the 1949 armistice lines. Myers no doubt knows this as well.

When reporters and pundits twist history for their purposes, it is despicable, But when historians choose to elevate their own political viewpoints above history and well-known facts, it is unconscionable.

#Dec5 : The victims began to speak

First of all here is a video translated in English showing the clashes , please pay attention to the amount of brainwash the MB and Salafist supporters have been subjected to by their superiors.

The victims of Muslim brotherhood members' open air torture at presidential Palace began to speak up.
Here is 33 years old Mina Philip speaking to Al Watan in Arabic about how he was attacked and detained near the Presidential palace while he was in his way back to home from work. The manager working in "Orange" said that the MB members told him to say that he got money from ElBaradei and Sabbahi in order to spare him from beating and release him.

 It is worth to mention that Mohamed El Hossainy , the member of Muslim brotherhood who was killed in the clashes was working in Orange too and probably he knew Mina !! El Hossainy got unborn child who will come to life without a father because Khairat El Shater and Mohamed Badei believed that El Hossainy should stand and fight his brothers in nation.
Here is Mohamed Abdel Moneim aka Crunchy who is an independent protester. Abdel Moneim was transferring injured from the protesters shot by the other side when he was shot down by live ammunition.
Crunchy is now paralyzed.

 Abdel Moneim's family elected Morsi according to his poor mother.
Next Thursday the victims of Muslim brotherhood members' torture will speak up at a conference in the Journalists syndication in Cairo from 5 pm to 7 pm
The referendum is something and the rights of those people are another thing. We did not do a revolution to  to see these practices again.
I will add more videos later. 

Meshal's speech - the one that the media wouldn't quote

Some media outlets selectively quoted Khaled Meshal's speech on Saturday. However, their quotes don't even hint at  the amount of fanaticism from Hamas' supposedly "moderate" leader.(The Guardian was actually pretty good this time.)

From MEMRI:

Khaled Mash’al: First of all, Palestine – from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea, from its north to its south – is our land, our right, and our homeland. There will be no relinquishing or forsaking even an inch or small part of it. Second, Palestine was, continues to be, and will remain Arab and Islamic. It belongs to the Arab and the Islamic world. Palestine belongs to us and to nobody else. This is the Palestine which we know and in which we believe. Third, since Palestine belongs to us, and is the land of Arabism and Islam, we must never recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation of it. The occupation is illegitimate, and therefore, Israel is illegitimate, and will remain so throughout the passage of time. Palestine belongs to us, not to the Zionists. [...] The liberation of Palestine – all of Palestine – is a duty, a right, a goal, and a purpose. It is the responsibility of the Palestinian people, as well as of the Arab and Islamic nation. Fifth, Jihad and armed resistance are the proper and true path to liberation and to the restoration of our rights, along with all other forms of struggle – through politics, through diplomacy, through the masses, and through legal channels. All these forms of struggle, however, are worthless without resistance. [...] Politics are born from the womb of resistance. The true statesman is born from the womb of the rifle and the missile. Announcer: Say: “Allah Akbar.” Song: Oh Abu Al-Walid, oh Mash’al, prepare the way, come on. Our journey must be completed. Allah is with you. Khaled Mash’al: May Allah bless you. Oh Palestinian statesmen, oh Arab and Muslim statesmen, learn your lesson from Gaza. Anyone who wishes to take the path of diplomacy must take a missile along with him. He must rely upon the infrastructure of the resistance. Your value, oh statesman, is derived from the value of resistance. I, along with my dear brother Abu Al-Abd Haniya, the entire Hamas leadership, both here and abroad, our comrades, the leaders of the resistance, in Gaza, in the West Bank, here and abroad – by Allah, we are indebted to the leadership of the Palestinian military wings. If not for the great commanders of the military wings, we would have no statesmen. This is thanks first to Allah, and then to the heroes of the resistance. How wonderful was your shelling of Tel Aviv. May your hands be blessed. May your hands be blessed. We are proud of what you have done. Jihad and resistance are the path. This is not mere rhetoric. Events have shown us that Jihad and resistance are the most advantageous and reliable option. This option is not a delusion or a mirage. By no means. The resistance is a palpable, visible, and envisioned thing. It marches on the ground, spreading light to its people, and unleashing fire upon its enemies. That is the resistance. […] For us, resistance is the means, not the end. I say to the entire world, through the media: If the world finds a way other than through resistance and bloodshed to restore Palestine and Jerusalem to us, to implement the Right of Return, and to put an end to the loathsome Zionist occupation – we will welcome it. But we gave you a chance for 64 years, and you did not do a thing. That is why we opted for resistance. Don’t reproach us. If we had found another way – one that did not involve war and battle – we would have proceeded upon it, but history and the laws of Allah tell us that victory and liberation cannot be achieved without resistance, battle, and sacrifice. […] Jerusalem is our soul, our history, our collective memory, our past, our present, and our future. It is our eternal capital, to which we hold fast and which we will liberate, inch by inch, neighborhood by neighborhood, stone by stone, every place sacred to Islam, and every place sacred to Christianity. Israel has no right to Jerusalem. […] The Right of Return means the return of all the refugees, the displaced, and the exiled to the land of Palestine – to its cities and its villages, to the neighborhoods of Gaza, the West Bank, and within the 1948 borders. We own every inch of our land. Our fathers and our forefathers were born there. We lived there. It retains our memory and our history. The Right of Return is sacred to us, and it cannot be depreciated. When my brothers and I entered the Gaza Strip yesterday, we began the fulfillment of the Right of Return, Allah willing. […] Hamas has a clear-cut principle: no to resettlement of refugees and no to an alternative homeland. There is no substitute for Palestine. […] The unity of Palestinian land refers to Gaza, the West Bank, and the land within the 1948 borders. That is the land of Palestine – it is all Palestine, every part of it is Palestine. No part of it will be separated from the other parts. Anyone who believes that Gaza can be kept far from the West Bank is delusional. Gaza, the West Bank, and the land within the 1948 borders are all beloved parts of the great Palestinian homeland. Isn’t that so, Abu Al-Abd [Haniya]? Announcer: Say: “Allah Akbar.” Crowds: Allah Akbar. Announcer: Say: “Allah Akbar.” Crowds: Allah Akbar. Announcer: Say: “Allah Akbar.” Crowds: Allah Akbar. Khaled Mash’al: The West Bank is inseparable from Gaza, Gaza is inseparable from the West Bank, and they are both inseparable from Haifa, Jaffa, Beersheba… and Safed. […] Man: Oh Mash’al, our beloved... Crowds: Oh Mash’al, our beloved… Man: Your army shelled Tel Aviv… Crowds: Your army shelled Tel Aviv… Man: Your army struck Tel Aviv… Crowds: Your army struck Tel Aviv… Man: Oh Qassam, do it again… Crowds: Oh Qassam, do it again… Man: But this time, strike Haifa… Crowds: But this time, strike Haifa… Man: But this time, strike Jaffa… Khaled Mash’al: Allah willing… Man: Say: “Allah Akbar.” Crowds: Allah Akbar. Khaled Mash’al: Hear me well, my comrades in the various factions. Liberation will precede statehood. A real state will be the fruit of liberation, not of negotiations. There is no alternative to a free Palestinian state with real sovereignty on the entire land of Palestine.

Say Something Good About Detroit

 

Back Alley Bikes

 

Back Alley Bikes exists in one of the most desperate parts of Detroit. Only about thirty percent of Detroiters have cars or even licenses and the public transportation is lacking. How difficult must it be to get to work without either.

(From their website)

inSFor the last 10 years Back Alley Bikes has helped put Detroit residents on two wheels while teaching the youth of the city and others bicycle safety, mechanical repairs and customer service.

The program was started in 2000 by employees of Detroit Summer, a “youth program / movement to respirit, redefine and reimagine Detroit from the ground up.” The original purpose was to provide transportation to youth participants who were working on anything from planting gardens and to painting murals all over the city. Today this non-profit organization has grown into so much more offering holiday bike giveaways, adult repair classes, youth education workshops and countless other volunteer-based programs.

Back Alley Bikes is funded partially by its retail shop the Hub of Detroit, a full-service bicycle shop servicing the Cass Corridor and greater Detroit. The Hub’s profits, along with grants from Michigan’s Tri- County Bicycle Association, are put toward multi-generational educational programs and youth outreach.

One of their newest programs is for adult volunteers. Volunteer nights are on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8. After completing 20 hours here, participants are eligible to become “Allies.” In exchange for four hours of volunteer work a week, Back Alley Bikes gives Allies free access to tools and bike parts. For those unfamiliar with bicycle mechanics, there is an eight-week course called “Learn-a-Bike” that covers the basic how-to of bike repair and construction.

One of Back Alley's work rooms has been filled with donated bikes In reaching out toward Detroit youth, Back Alley Bikes and the Detroit Bike Hub have put on “Earn-a-Bike” sessions where young people age 8 to 16 are able to pick a bicycle to take home after three sessions of building and repairing it. This summer the program is being held on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

For children too young to work at the shop, there are several annual holiday bike giveaways. “We just held a kid’s bike giveaway,” says Jack VanDyke, who started volunteering at Back Alley Bikes in 2005, “It was held the weekend of July 4^th and the final count was 123 bikes.”

Back Alley Bikes and the Hub of Detroit are located at 3611 Cass Ave. near Martin Luther King Blvd. For more information on programs and volunteer 

An upcoming event:

Bike-a-Thon Riders!

November 20, 2012

Hello everyone!
Welcome to Backalleybikes.org and Thehubofdetroit.org.  Before you check out the rest of the website, we wanted to let you know about a big fundraiser we are doing.  On January 6th, 2013 we are going to ride as many miles as we can over a 24 hour period.  We are doing this in hopes that you feel guilty about not riding and it will cause you to donate to our gimmicky event.  Or maybe you’ll come ride with us!  Either way, help us raise awareness of what Back Alley Bikes does and also funds to help us do what we do year round! (to access the rest of the site, click here or on “News!” above)