Love Locks

(from Garance)

The bottom two photos were taken by me when I went to Florence with my mother-in-law in June.  I had never seen 'love locks' before.  What's the meaning?

Thank God for wikipedia.  Love padlocks is the article (here).  Let me summarize.  

• They actually mention this spot in Florence in the article: "In Florence, Italy, 5,500 love padlocks affixed to the Ponte Vecchio bridge were removed by the city council. According to the council the padlocks pose both an aesthetic problem as well as scratch and dent the metal of the bridge.^[9]"
• ^{The tradition is apparently a newer one, only really noticed in the 2000s!}

Inflatable Street Art: New York City

from Abby B. on Fbook

That Ain't Right

My Mom and I went to a womens ministry kale cooking night tonight and the subject turned on to how England processes meat and how it's different from the US.  One of the women brought up a Time Magazine article that she had read recently that talked about the worldwide epidemic of early puberty.  I said that I have definitely noticed the middle schoolers I worked with having b-cup bras by the 7th grade.  It just looks weird.

I've personally blamed it on the hormones injected in meat - they are made to make them...bigger, faster.  Farmers make more money if their animals grow up faster.  So to my laymen's brain it makes sense.  Of course it makes us bigger and older faster as well.  The chemicals are still in there, working.

Here's what the Time Magazine article says:

"The American obesity epidemic is surely to blame — at least in part — since fatty tissue can increase the body's output of certain hormones. So too may the agricultural hormones found in meat and dairy products. And so too may industrial chemicals, especially phthalates and BPAs in plastics, which are known as endocrine disruptors for their tendence to mimic, block or otherwise interfere with the function of hormones." (Time Magazine: "Little Women" by Jeffrey Kluger. 20 Oct 2011)

too pretty not to repin

Source: slingersandshowgirls.tumblr.com via Marta on Pinterest

laser training for spies!

(from here)

(from here)

i love miranda july.  i wish i knew more about her.

(from here)
just terrific.  $1mil to be that girl.

via pinterest/alexis

My friend Emily mentioned this recipe last night and, as a huge fan of Nigella (may she live forever), I've gotta try it.  This is stolen, not only from Nigella's Feast but also from (this guy).  I'm glad it doesn't use corn syrup/death.

Nigella Lawson's Granola

This is from her series 'Feast' and I am planning to try this - is sounds amazing.

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup white sesame seeds
3/4 cup apple compote or applesauce
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/3 cup brown rice syrup or rice malt syrup
1/4 cup clover honey or other runny honey
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 cups raw almonds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons canola oil or sunflower oil

Preheat oven to 310 degrees F.
Mix everything together very well in a large mixing bowl. Spread the mixture evenly in 2 baking tins and bake for 40 minutes to 1 hour, turning over half-way through baking. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container

Office Candy Jar Rules Poems

I tried googling the above title and found absolutely no poems telling people to pitch in buying candy for the office candy jar. So I had to make some. I was given the task by the school administrative assistant where I am volunteering. Here you go, internet:

Sure, this candy makes your day
but what happens when it goes away?
The best thing is when we play our part
and chip in candy from the start.



Be a school hero,  
bring in a bag to share.
So when the jar is getting low
we all have candy to spare.



Knowledge is for everyone
for all who want to learn
But candy isn’t infinite
everyone needs to take a turn.



There is no magic fairy
to replenish these here sweets
So when your hand hits bottom
it’s your turn to bring in some treats.

 While I was looking around I found some bizarre articles pertaining to this subject: The Wall Street Journal, "The Battle of the Office Candy Jar" (April 12, 2011)

a Short Film Imagining How English Sounds to Non-English Speakers

from (vulture)

from (here)

(link)
 "I was born deaf and 8 weeks ago I received a hearing implant. This is the video of them turning it on and me hearing myself for the first time :)"

Brought tears to my eyes.