Monthly Archives: June 2014

Worse Things Have Happened to Better People

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The truth…

Vincent Mars's avatarboy with a hat

Man Falling Illustration (c) Adam Niklewicz

Worse things have happened to better people,

Is the tragic thought that comforts me during hard times.  

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INSIDE THE AMBER FORT, JAIPUR

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Bucket List!!

michaelweening's avatarMichael Weening: a few pictures

Once inside the fort, it felt different than others we had visited. More opulent.

2013 12 29 Amber Fort_-49-2

You can read more of the forts history here. In a nutshell:

The aesthetic ambiance of the palace is seen within its walls on a four level layout plan (each with a courtyard) in a well turned out opulent palace complex built with red sandstone and marble consisting of the Diwan-e-Aam or the “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas or the “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over the water cascade within the palace. Hence, the Amer Fort is also popularly known as the Amer Palace.[4] The palace was lived in by the RajputMaharajas and their families. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is also…

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Standing On Their Shoulders – Maya Angelou

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Maya Angelou 7Maya Angelou 4Maya Angelou 6Maya Angelou 5

Over The Hump Old School Sound Check – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

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Thursday never looked so good! Happy times!!

Lisa Lisa (born Lisa Velez, January 15, 1966) and her band Cult Jam are an urban contemporary band and one of first freestyle music groups to emerge from New York City in the 1980s. Cult Jam consisted of guitarist/bassist Alex “Spanador” Moseley, and drummer and keyboardist Mike Hughes. They were assembled and produced by Full Force.

Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Snacking Cake

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This is an easy cake to make. This is not a high-rising cake at all. After spreading the batter out in the pan it is only abut 1 to 2 inches high, and it will not rise much more during baking. Don’t worry about this because it is a snacking cake, not a layer cake, and it comes out just fine.

Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Snacking Cake

Ingredients – Cake

8 whole graham crackers, finely ground (about 1 cup)
¼ cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
6 tbsp (¾ stick) butter, softened
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup milk
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used mini choc chips)

Ingredients – Frosting

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup confectioners sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup marshmallow fluff

Preparation – Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan and dust it with flour, knocking out any extra (or use baking paper like I did).
3. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
4. Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, add a third of the flour mixture, then half of the milk, stirring until combined. Repeat with the remaining flour and milk, ending with the flour.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
6. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
8. Invert it onto a wire rack, and then turn it right side up to cool completely.

Graham Cracker Chocolate Chip Snacking Cake 2

Preparation – Frosting

1. Place the butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat until creamy.
2. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Stir in the vanilla and the marshmallow fluff and beat until smooth.
3. Use immediately or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cut the cake into squares and serve each one with a dollop of frosting on top. (Bring the frosting back to room temperature first if it has been stored in the fridge).
4. Store any uneaten cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
5. Makes one 8 inch square cake.

Music from Kenya – Daddy Owen

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Xandi's avatarWorld Music - the Music Journey

Daddy Owen is a kenyan gospel and Kapungala musician, who was awarded with the MTV Africa Music Award in 2010. Listen to “Saluti”, featuring various artists:

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Sunday Reflections

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Proverbs 17.9