OPENING CEREMONY OF THE OLYMPICS 2012 IN LONDON

     OPENING CEREMONY OF THE OLYMPICS 2012
                    
                    


      On Friday, 27th of July billions of people from all over the world watched the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Gr.Britain. It was a special night signed by the Oscar awarded director Danny Boyle and it was titled "Isles of Wonder".

Some of the most famous Brits took part in the ceremony. To name a few: 

David Bekam who brought the Olympic flame to the stadium crossing the Thames river in a speed boat ...

Daniel Kreg (James Bond) and the Queen herself played in a short film (that was awesome)

Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) had a little funny sketch, ...


















Paul McCartney sang a couple of songs ...

     
      









     

     


       
          It was a spectacular show. Nevertheless, according to my opinion, it remained simply a show, nothing more nothing less. Perhaps, I was expecting more! Its aspiration to portray the British character, the history of the country and its contribution to the world failed as far as I'm concerned. We only saw the transition from the agricultural era to the great industrial revolution where, yes, they were the pioneers, we saw their contribution to the world literature and music industry,  we saw their great national health care system,OK, and that they were the birthplace of the world wide web. All very admirable and well orchestrated and organised in the show. But really, are there not a lot more to the British Isles than what they picked to show us?  Maybe something that would show and pass on the Olympic spirit based on their history and achievements? A bold vision of the young for the future?

      I think the particular ceremony didn't do justice to what Great Britain is all about nor did it do justice to the Olympic spirit of the games. 

      Another comment I would like to make is about Jacques Rogge's ( International Olympic Committee President ) statement which he made during his speech at the opening ceremony:
“In a sense, the Olympic Games are coming home tonight,” he said. “This great sports-loving country is widely recognized as the birthplace of modern sport.”

WHAT?! Was he using a copy of his speech in the Opening Ceremony for the Athens, Greece 2004 Olympic Games?!!!  People across the world are well aware that this unique celebration of sport and civilization started out in Greece nearly 3,000 years ago. Such a mistake is unacceptable and historically ignorant, if not provocative. He should retract that comment and apologise for the "blunder".

Despite the undisputed fact that the Olympics were born in Greece
they belong to all humanity and athletes from all over the world come to compete with their fellow athletes to decide who is best. They compete as equals, with equal opportunities and obligations.

I wish the thousands of athletes from all over the world to compete in honor, to enjoy it, and to make their dream come true and bring home the supreme distinction, the Olympic medal. Good luck!

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

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PHOTOS FROM GREECE - Part 2

OREO-CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM CAKE

Totally awesome ice cream cake!

      I made this cake for my daughter's birthday party and it was a hit! So pretty and easy and makes an excellent summer birthday cake!

       You have to try it! So delicious!  I found the recipe at:

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-celebration-ice-cream-75140.aspx









What You Need:

• 24 OREO Cookies, divided
• 2 cups strawberry ice cream, softened
• 2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
• 2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
• 2 Tbsp. hot fudge ice cream topping

How to make it:

LINE 9-inch round pan with plastic wrap, with ends extending over side of pan. Stand 14 cookies around edge of pan. Crush remaining cookies. Reserve 1/2 cup crumbs for later use; sprinkle remaining crumbs onto bottom of pan. Spread strawberry ice cream over crumbs; top with 1 cup COOL WHIP and reserved crumbs. Cover with chocolate ice cream.

FREEZE 4 hours.

REMOVE dessert from freezer 10 min. before serving. Use plastic wrap handles to lift dessert from pan. Carefully peel off plastic wrap; place dessert on serving plate. Let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. Top with remaining COOL WHIP; drizzle with fudge topping.    

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HEART TOUCHING VIDEO - WHAT IS THAT?

      This a wonderful Greek short film made in 2007. I'm not sure if it is a commercial about Alzheimer's disease but it sure could have been.

      This video makes us realise we shouldn't take things for granted and we should love and respect our parents.

      We have to bear in mind that as our parents age we have to be patient with them as they were patient with us when we were younger and we should take care of them as they took care of us.

      Our parents will not be around some day, so let's make every day count.

When was the last time you hugged your parents?

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PLANT A POT OF LENTILS !

      This is a learning and fun activity you can do with your kids and it's cost free! They will be excited to watch their plant grow as they take care of it, too!

      I did this with my daughter this year. We chose a little, tiny pot (use any kind of vessel you can find, be creative) and after laying some cotton on the bottom of it we threw in some lentils and watered it. They need to be watered every day!

                                        (Note: in the first pictures you will see a small pot with beans, as well. Don't try it! The stench a few days later was unbearable!!!)   

Look how they were growing! And it didn't take long, at all!

STAINS AND HOW TO REMOVE THEM

                         
Stains, stains, stains!

      I wish I could just throw the clothes in the washer without checking each piece of clothing for stains and meticulously applying  special stain removal detergents, etc. etc.... only to find out at the end of the cycle that the stain is still there, or at best a "shadow" of it!
      I have gathered here some of the best tips I know (and could find) to help us all with this persistent problem. Some I have tried, some I have been told they do miracles and some sounded like they would work. Let's try these new 'weapons' in the stain removal fight!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

•  Pre-test all stain-removing solutions on a small area of the garment using a white cloth. If the color bleeds onto the cloth after applying the agent, discontinue use and consider taking your item to a professional cleaner.
• if the stain remains, repeat, but do not dry the garment in the clothes dryer until the stain is gone. Using the dryer on a stain will set the stain and make it permanent!
• Alcohol should not be used on silk or wool. 
• Do not use chlorine bleach on wool, silk or spandex.
• Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain.
• If the stain does not come out after one wash you may need to repeat before placing in the dryer.

Crayons

1. If the crayon is soft, freeze the fabric to harden the crayon, and then scrape off the excess.
2. Place the stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron to transfer the stain to the paper towels. Repeat with clean paper towels frequently to absorb more crayon.
3. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

4. Launder with bleach that's  appropriate for the fabric.

* Alternatively, you could treat the stain with a stain remover, let it stand for a few minutes, then rinse and wash locally with dishsoap. Continue with regular washing in the washer.

** If the stain is on the wall, I can think of nothing better than those magic eraser sponges that really do work like magic. They can also wipe off ink stains or whatever marks you have on your wall.


Ink

•  Soak the stain in milk for about 7-10 minutes. Rub, rinse        and wash as usual.

or

• Dab the stain with a clean wet sponge until no ink is lifted from stain. Allow the stain to air dry. Spray the stain with hair spray. Allow to dry again and rub it off (using paper towels). Apply  a stain remover and wash fabric as usual. You may have to repeat these steps until the stain is fully removed.

Fruits, Veggies, Juice etc...

Fruit stains will be removed quickly and easily if you get to it right away.

• To pre-treat, create a vinegar solution which is one part vinegar and two parts water and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then apply a stain remover and wash in your regular cycle.

or

• Pre-treat the stains with a solution of milk and lemon, if needed rub the stain a little with a sponge.

Removing Berry Stains

• Blot the stain to remove as much liquid as possible, then rinse it in cold water. Rub the stain with a cut lemon or pure lemon juice, let it sit for approx 30 minutes then rinse, and air dry. Use a pre-wash treatment stain remover and then launder as usual..
• You can also pour boiling hot water on a berry stain. It will remove berry stains immediately out of clothing, even the white ones.

Spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains
Pretreat with a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Wash as usual.
Blood Stain Removal

Blood stains can be easily removed by rinsing under plenty of cold water. Then wash as usual.   (NOTE: never use hot or warm water on a blood stain.)

Soap residue that makes black clothes look dull

Use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Perspiration odor and stains on clothing

Spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine. This applies to stains left by deodorants, too.

Grass Stains

Grass stains are one of the toughest stains to remove. . The quicker you attempt to remove this stain, the more likely it is to come out.

• To remove grass stains from clothing, blot the stain with water, soak the stain with a rubbing alcohol and water mixture, and then launder the clothes as usual.

or

• Pretreat the stain with a paste of powdered laundry detergent (that contains enzymes) mixed with a little water, or with liquid laundry detergent (also containing enzymes).
• Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color bleach if not.

Hint: In the alternative, you can pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover formulated to remove stains caused by grass.

You may also want to soak the stain caused by the grass in a solution of hot water and laundry detergent containing enzymes, for a couple of hours or even overnight for especially stubborn stains.



Chocolate stains

First remove the excess chocolate. But be careful not to spread it on clean parts of the cloth.

• The next step is to rinse with cold water.
• After that rub liquid detergent into the stain and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
• Then put the clothing in cold water for 15 minutes. Every 3-5 minutes rub the stained spot to loosen it.
• Repeat the process until there are no stains left.

Rust stains

• Remove rust from fabric by laying the clothing on some paper towels face down, squeezing lemon juice over the stain and then laying it out to dry.
• Wash rust stained clothing as usual.

Bubble Gum Removal

Place your clothing into the freezer. Wait 2 or more hours before removing. You can gently scrape off the frozen gum and then wah the stain with dishsoap. Continue with washing it in the washer as usual.

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TANK TOP TOTES

      I came across this post at the website and I just HAD to share it with you. I found this to be such a practical and trendy idea. You could create a stylish and unique tote, perfect for the summer (and not only!)

Look at the photos:

 ..."The best kind of tank tops to use for this project are ones that have front and back necklines that are the same height—or very close. Otherwise, your tote bag will be lopsided. The brown tote is reversible, so the pockets can be on the inside or outside. I made that tote small because the straps were thin and wouldn’t hold a lot of weight. The magenta tank top had a gathered neckline in front and back, so a gathered bottom was ideal. A pink store-bought flower pin finished it off. "...

If you want to find out how to make these tank top totes follow this link:

  

http://www.craftynest.com/2009/10/tank-top-totes-six-pockets-or-gathered/

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

KLITHONAS - AN OLD CUSTOM

      On the 24th of June it was St.John's the Baptist birthday, a religious holiday accompanied by many local customs, some of which are ancient old. Since it is also the day of the Summer Solstice, some of the ancient habits/rituals related to it have remained till today.  

   Klithonas (in Greek Κληδονας) is an ancient custom that comes to life on this day. It is a folk fortune telling ritual where  unmarried girls will learn the name of the man they will marry!  The night before young, single girls (usually dressed in traditional clothes) bring the "speechless water"
from a well (possible now, only in villages where a well may still exist) and pour it in a clay pot. In this pot they also throw a personal item. They seal it with a red cloth and leave it under the clear sky. They do this in absolute silence, they must not talk. 



      Then the celebration continues by lighting a huge bonfire in the town's square where people burn their Protomaya (first of May) wreaths. There's singing and dancing involved and everybody takes turns jumping over the fire for good luck.

      The next day the clay pot is opened while everybody is singing particular folk songs. As each girl takes back her personal item, a woman (designated the day before) recites or comes up with a couplet that foretells that girl's future. In some places these couplets could make you blush!!! (...especially when they're told by ...grandmothers!)  








      When the fortune telling is over, a great feast follows!!!

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