A Satirical Gander at the Christmas Kitchen Ceilidh! AWESOME!

WARNING: not suitable for viewing if you are
a. young...b. sensitive or c. do not find Christmas funny

If none of the above applies to you and you are looking forward to having a Christmas Kitchen Ceilidh of your own....then you'll probs like this video as much as me!

Hope your holidays are full of those delightful weirdos that make every year so memorable!!!

(for the record, when it comes to my family and friends, I AM that 'weirdo'...ha ha...where's my drink....)

THIS is Why Labrador Retrievers Are So Adored!

Adorable little boy with Down Syndrome interacts with a gentle and affectionate yellow Labrador Retriever!

Bo Obama and Christmas at The White House!

The White House canine cutie 'Bo' holds down the starring role in this promotional video with grace and ease! The puppy has grown into quite the adult!

Mine Kafon: Will Revolutionize LANDMINE Diffusion!!! AWESOME!

When I was kid, I spent every possible moment outside. Granted, I didn't have computers or videogames to lure me back indoors. It was still a time when from sun up to sun down or even later, all the kids in the neighbourhood would  play ball at the park, ride our bikes everywhere or romp carelessly through any wooded area that was 'permitted'!

Never, ever once did my parents ever have to worry about us stepping on land mines. I cannot imagine what a childhood is like when it comes with such a cruel restriction.

Massoud Hassani grew up in Afghanistan and knows all to well the perils of landmines. And he has created an ingenious, inexpensive and ridiculously effective landmine diffuser!

INCREDIBLE and I'm sure you will agree, this inventor's idea needs support and needs to be in operation...to watch the evolution of  'Mine Kafon' see the story below!!! AWESOME!

Dog Days of the Weekend!

You probably know by now, I am a maniac about dogs...LOVE THEM....and I must confess, I think I have more photos of my dogs than my kids! (embarassed about that!)  So, if you are dog-gone wacky for pups...this tri-fecta of puppy videos will hopefully smooth out any  RUFF edges you've hit today!
Chihuahua has mad Salsa skills! 





As Big Bang Theroy's Sheldon would say 'Bazinga'

http://youtu.be/hqwbAEAOlFA


And for the final and possibly best entry in today's post....

The Fading Apple of Fiona's Eye

Founding member and tireless media-maven of the Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network, Janet Chernin posted on my personal Facebook page...encouraging me to share with you this beautifully-written post by musician Fiona Apple.

If you have ever had a close relationship with an aging pet, you will appreciate Miss Apple's wonderful depiction of her relationship with her dog 'Janet'....

"It's 6pm on Friday, and I'm writing to a few thousand friends I have not met yet.
I am writing to ask them to change our plans and meet a little while later.
Here's the thing.
I have a dog Janet, and she's been ill for almost two years now, as a tumor has been idling in her chest, growing ever so slowly. She's almost 14 years old now.I got her when she was 4 months old. I was 21 then ,an adult officially - and she was my child.
She is a pitbull, and was found in Echo Park, with a rope around her neck, and bites all over her ears and face.
She was the one the dogfighters use to puff up the confidence of the contenders.
She's almost 14 and I've never seen her start a fight ,or bite, or even growl, so I can understand why they chose her for that awful role. She's a pacifist.
Janet has been the most consistent relationship of my adult life, and that is just a fact.
We've lived in numerous houses, and jumped a few make shift families, but it's always really been the two of us.
She slept in bed with me, her head on the pillow, and she accepted my hysterical, tearful face into her chest, with her paws around me, every time I was heartbroken, or spirit-broken, or just lost, and as years went by, she let me take the role of her child, as I fell asleep, with her chin resting above my head.
She was under the piano when I wrote songs, barked any time I tried to record anything, and she was in the studio with me all the time we recorded the last album.
The last time I came back from tour, she was spry as ever, and she's used to me being gone for a few weeks every 6 or 7 years.
She has Addison's Disease, which makes it dangerous for her to travel since she needs regular injections of Cortisol, because she reacts to stress and to excitement without the physiological tools which keep most of us from literally panicking to death.
Despite all of this, she’s effortlessly joyful and playful, and only stopped acting like a puppy about 3 years ago.
She's my best friend and my mother and my daughter, my benefactor, and she's the one who taught me what love is.

I can't come to South America. Not now.

When I got back from the last leg of the US tour, there was a big, big difference.
She doesn't even want to go for walks anymore.

I know that she's not sad about aging or dying. Animals have a survival instinct, but a sense of mortality and vanity, they do not. That’s why they are so much more present than people.
But I know that she is coming close to point where she will stop being a dog, and instead, be part of everything. She’ll be in the wind, and in the soil, and the snow, and in me, wherever I go.
I just can't leave her now, please understand.
If I go away again, I’m afraid she'll die and I won't have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out.

Sometimes it takes me 20 minutes to pick which socks to wear to bed.
But this decision is instant.
These are the choices we make, which define us.
I will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship.
I am the woman who stays home and bakes Tilapia for my dearest, oldest friend.
And helps her be comfortable, and comforted, and safe, and important.
Many of us these days, we dread the death of a loved one. It is the ugly truth of Life, that keeps us feeling terrified and alone.
I wish we could also appreciate the time that lies right beside the end of time.
I know that I will feel the most overwhelming knowledge of her, and of her life and of my love for her, in the last moments.
I need to do my damnedest to be there for that.
Because it will be the most beautiful, the most intense, the most enriching experience of life I've ever known.
When she dies.

So I am staying home, and I am listening to her snore and wheeze, and reveling in the swampiest, most awful breath that ever emanated from an angel.

And I am asking for your blessing.

I'll be seeing you.
Love, Fiona   "

To see Fiona Apple's original Facebook post click here.https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=486858768014508&set=a.195751057125282.46346.191278307572557&type=1&theater

Genetics...You Can Deny Them, But They Will NEVER Deny You!!!

Ever hear that 'you look alot like your mom'?!  Well, photographic artist Bobby Neel Adams has created a photo series matching moms with sons/daughters, grandfathers with sons and more combinations....each photo was taken with no special effects, just to scale and then RIPPED IN HALF ....then placed side by side....REMARKABLE!!! For the full series, hit this link!

A Man's Dress Shirt- The Corner Piece of a WOMAN'S Wardrobe? Say Whaat?!

If you ignore her slightly suggestive sashaying and a flash of side boob, THIS VIDEO IS GENIUS!!

Who freakin' knew you could do so much with a men's shirt?!!!  

Watch A Man Use An Iron + MOST AWESOME Parade Floats ever!

These are floats created from dahlia flowers only in the small town of Zundert (Netherlands)...watch the whole STUNNING  parade by hitting THIS!  I fiqure this would be a wonderful stop on a European vacation, no?! 

And I promised a MAN IRONING:  better ye, how about a man weilding an iron over a bedsheet? Seriously, it happened...of course, housework wasn't involved...

Salad in a Cone Plus Pumpkins & Poody-catz

Seriously...like most people, I can always find more room in my diet for veggies...and THIS LOOKS DELISH!  Salad in a crouton-cone!  Hit the link for the how-to....

And  who knew veggies were coveted by lions, tigers and such big cats ...these felines apparently LOVE pumpkins....Oh my GOURD, the savagery!!! Neat video...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iJKRhy_fsM&feature=player_embedded#!

Body Painting TURBO-STYLE!!!

Some people are so wicked talented and visionary...and Emma Hack and Trina Merry are such souls! Below is a video 'making of' her human body paint sculpture of a crashed car and below this video is another making of her project of human motorcycles! Crazy awesome!!! 

Because Sundays Should Bring You Happiness!!!

Sunday is the perfect day for INSPIRATION and POSITIVITY!

So...here are examples of that which I feel fit the bill beautifully...



First up...touching proposal video...and yes, watch well past the fun musical segment for the tenderness.




This is a video of reportedly two young irish boys performing Rihanna's 'We Found Love'...and it is delightful!





Some artists have a gift that is beyond words...this PENCIL DRAWN picture of woman splashing water on her face is extraordinary....to learn more about the making of this piece and the artist hit THIS.

And being the Denmother....I have to say: this chart is SO TRUE!!

Because Another Baby Video is Another Opportunity to SMILE!

President Obama & LGBT America!

Found this and HAD to share...ps. I heart, heart, heart Jesse Tyler Ferguson!!!

The Period: UNVEILED! -Funny!!!!

Stumbled across this very funny and bold video response and HAD to share!   First it begins with reading a FB post by a man named Richard....   HERE...


And now, here is the response from Bodyform CEO Caroline Williams...EPIC!!!

Sweet Stop-Motion Short Film...Just Because!

The power of imagination when realized through art is such a blessing to behold! Sweet, dear little stop-motion short film that tackles a big question. http://youtu.be/jeL6_cAWeU8

The Art of Diorama

As far as I'm concerned THIS is a beautiful and intricately technical example of ARTISTRY!!

Watch to the very end...you will be amazed....and might want to make a diorama, I know I do!!!!

ABSOLUTELY BEST STUFFING EVER!

My mom makes the best stuffing EVER!!!

While I can't supply calorie or nutritional information, I can tell you this: EVERYONE who tries this stuffing comes back for more and more!

1 loaf of bread CUBED
6 whole eggs-BEATEN
1/2 cup of butter/margarine MELTED
1 small-medium onion CHOPPED (amount to taste)
1/2 cup of Summer Savory

Preheat oven to 350...spray/grease 8x13(approx) cake pan...

Then in big bowl:

a. TOSS bread with ONION & SUMMER SAVORY
b. TOSS gently to coat with EGGS
c. TOSS gently with BUTTER
d. PRESS MIXTURE into cake pan
e. BAKE for 20 mins COVERED with foil
f. REMOVE foil and bake for a further 10 mins!

CUT INTO SQUARES: Serve hot or cold! 

NOTE: this stuffing SOAKS UP GRAVY like a sponge...NUMMY!

My family and I hope you have a wonderful, memorable holiday..

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Nicolle

81 year old INKS her Dying Wishes!

81 year old Joy Tompkins clearly knows what she wants to happen...I have to say, I admire both her conviction and committment! 

Partying Neighbours Get A Performance REVIEW!

The next time your neighbours keep you up with their partying and karaoke-shenanigans, take a page from Oli Beale...he gave a CRITIQUE of their performances and it's REALLY FUNNY!!!

Have a read....

For more on his night of musical butchery....go HERE!

Jerry Seinfeld is FUNNIEST with his Friends!

I have never been a Jerry Seinfeld fan!

BEFORE YOU THROW ROCKS, Mr. Seinfeld has completely won me over with his new webseries 'Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee'...probably because one of my favorites ways to be made to laugh is through simple, idiotic conversation with my fav funny people. This series makes you feel like a special buddy who is just chilling with funny people who happen to be global celebrities!!

My favorites in the (just launched) series thus far are Alec Baldwin and Ricky Gervais. Hope you enjoy a great giggle!! -Nicolle

NYTimes Columnist David Pogue & the Most Romantic Proposal of ALL TIME!!!

With absolutely no hesitation, the most WONDERFUL marriage proposal I have ever witnessed.....is this fake 'trailer' created by New York Times columnist David Pogue.....even the most jaded, heart-broken creature will soften when they watch this....

Sperm BIKE?

To raise awareness of their business and to transport specimens, a Copenhagen sperm bank is now using a sperm-shaped bicycle courier! 

Irish "Commentator' HILARIOUS Take on Sailing at The Games!

This 'commentator' is truly hilarious...BUT he does use EXPLETIVES, so this video is NOT FOR CHILDREN OR SENSITIVE PERSONS....

Otherwise, watch it and you might agree that this guy makes watching sports really fun!!!

"HALF DRAG", ALL FUN!!!

New York-based photographer extraordinaire Leland Bobbe has created an on-going photographic collection titled 'Half-Drag' in exploration of both the male and alter-female egos. Personally, I totally heart men in drag...why, you ask? Because whenever I see a man in drag I am usually witnessing a person is completely and utterly living in the moment with joy and unbridled abandon. And sadly, most of us have far too few of those days.  To experience such fabulousity, catch Rouge Fatale & Friends every Sunday night at Casino Nova Scotia for a FREE show!  Holla!!! 




photographer: Leland Bobbe




photographer: Leland Bobbe




photograher: Leland Bobbe




photographer: Leland Bobbe




photographer: Leland Bobbe




photographer: Leland Bobbe




photographer: Leland Bobbe




photographer: Leland Bobbe



ECO-NEATO: CARDBOARD BICYCLE!

Israeli designer Izhar Gafni has created a BICYCLE MADE FROM CARDBOARD!  Watch the video below to see this incredible bicycle...which apparently costs between $9-$12....

for more hit this site

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Re-PURPOSE a SHOWER CADDY? Other neat repurpose ideas as well!!!!

For more visit lifehacker.com! 

BOOK CASE!



SHOWER CADDY TURN KITCHEN SPICE RACK



OLD RAKE HEAD TURNED INTO A WINE-GLASS HOLDER!

OLD WOODEN LADDER CHOPPED TO BECOME POT RACK!

DRAPERY RODS AS SHELF DIVIDERS FOR CUTTING BOARDS & TRAYS!

NEAT: PBS mini doc on VIRAL VIDEOS!

When I found this, I thought 8 MINUTES!  But it is an interesting mini-doc on 'viral' videos...neat commentary & perspective...And Nova Scotian musician  Dave Carroll's video for 'United Breaks Guitars' is among the hundreds that flash across the screen- neat!

 WARNING: some images are not for sensitive viewers!

Bullying: Are Adults Really at The Root Of It All?

Okay, so I have been stewing on this for awhile and after bouncing it off a few people, I am ready to bring it to you....

Given our age of 'Reality'-driven programming and what feels like an increase in bullying behavior in our children, is it possible that our behavior is at fault?

Hear me out!

Take shows that include 'Survivor', 'Big Brother', 'The Bachelor', 'Hell's Kitchen', 'Jersey Shore', 'American Idol', 'Toddlers & Tiaras' and God help me:  'Real Housewives of ___" (who are ANYthing but housewives)...in my experience watching these shows, inevitably one or two things occur everytime a show airs: someone on the show belittles/judges/bullies another show participant ....OR the viewer sits there in judgement of the show participants.  

In the first instance, our children/tweens who are watching this behavior are being fed what message? If you act like a jerk, you will be looked at as interesting or may even become a TV star for your jerk-dom? That being ruthless, underhanded and two-faced are personality traits to be revered? 

And when we sit there and 'call out' the people with clearly no talent and look foolish on shows like American Idol, are we inadvertently teaching our children to be judgemental and cruel? When we mock those pillars of morality and decorum from 'Jersey Shore', are we not contradicting ourselves: 'don't behave like that' but when other young people do it's entertainment?

While I kind of like Gordon Ramsey and understand what he is attempting to accomplish, the man is abusive and earns huge ratings for his bullying behavior. A young person who watches, may think they too deserve to be crapped on if they are slow to learn something in school.

We, as parents, take great pains to shape and influence the character of our children...but I have to ask: have we been oblivious to the subtle damage our own behavior is having on their development of what it is to be kind, gracious and accomodating of all the different people they will encounter as they move through life. 

Do you think the combination of reality programming and our behavior as viewers can be worsening the bullying we are seeing in our children?

-Nicolle

Summer TV is FINALLY HAWT!!!

Not all of us get hopped up on talent competitions or watching people behaving while trapped in a house full of personality disorders....Some of us enjoy SCRIPTED television!

And if you are one of  'us', then YOU are in for some Summer TV Treats!

I fell in love with Alphas and am very happy to report the new season just began on Monday!!! Even if you have never watched an episode, you can jump in and get up to speed very quickly...PLUS, it has one of the best opening music numbers ever....gets me totally pumped up!!! 

Watch the first episode below...but...

Before you have a gander at that episode, I have to share my instant love of The Almighty Johnsons...about Norse Gods who have been living in exile, sorta in New Zealand with diminished powers...all that is about to change with the 'coming of age' of the youngest in the Johnson Clan who is revealed as ODIN!  It's a neat concept, it's funny, sexy and if you dig Australian guys, you will heart this!!!

And sources tell me that Haven will be returning soon!  CANNOT FREAKIN' WAIT...will keep ya posted.

http://watch.spacecast.com/alphas/season-2/alphas-episode-201-wake-up-call/

http://watch.spacecast.com/the-almighty-johnsons/season-1/the-almighty-johnsons-episode-101-its-kind-of-a-birthday-present/
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Glamping & The New Tent House: WILL IT TAKE OFF?

It is tree house...a tent?  Whatever it is, do you see yourself  'glamping' it up in this creation?

50 Shade of Grey-Musical Parody!

I will admit I haven't read '50 Shades of Grey'...but I sure have heard alot of buzz about it...and this musical parody video explains it further!

Naomi Watts transforms into Princess Diana!

Naomi Watts transforms into an amazing PRINCESS DIANA!  

For more...HIT THIS!

Johnny Depp....SINGLE

After an impressive 14 years of together-ness, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis have decided to end their relationship. 14 years, many films and two children...I hope their accomplishments as a high-profile couple are acknowledged and that their childrens' privacy is respected as the family goes through their changes.

We owe it to the man who is one of the finest actors of his time!

Photo: REUTERS/Paul Hackett 

Hoodie Armour-SO COOL!

Chadwick John Dillon is some random guy who has created this awesome hoodie fashioned to look like it's ARMOUR...and apparently he plans to sell it!  If your kids are as into dragons, magic and such as my 14 year old, then I think we'd get major props if this found its way onto their imaginative little backs!

Dinner Served 50 m in MID-AIR? Now that's a 'forklift'!

<<<

Anti -Puppy Mill Message THAT MIGHT JUST WORK!!!!

Wade Davis....Being Gay in the NFL

Honestly, cannot imagine how difficult it is to be gay in professional sports organizations like the NFL....Insightful and compelling interview with former NFL star Wade Davis... ---

18 yr old NOAH and his ACOUSTIC version of LMFAO HIT!

Sometimes the creativity and vision of people can be freakin' amazing!  Take the ubiquitous LMFAO hit 'I'm Sexy and I Know it' (original video below)....it's featured EVERYWHERE....and then you listen/watch 18 year old Noah, the sweet, bespectled teen next door with a kick-arse voice who TRANSFORMS the LMFAO hit into something extraordinary!  NOAH'S video is below as well...enjoy!!

Mad Men's JOHN HAMM give advice to TWEENS!!!

Fell upon a website called rookiemag. com where I found this kind of adorable section called 'Ask A Grown Man'... the 'grown men' giving advice on dating advice, why boys act they way they do, what styles do guys like and such...two of the 'grown men' are Paul Rudd ( Parks & Recreation, Clueless, My Idiot Brother) and Mad Men leading hunk John Hamm.... Paul Rudd's explanation of why BOOBS are so fascinating is quite frankly funny and probably not much help!

Vice President Joe Biden ENDORSES Gay Marriage!

Youngest Mensa Member EVER is Canadian Toddler!

A world record: Canadian toddler is the youngest member of MENSA ever...Anthony Popa Urria from British Columbia apparently knows three languages, knows the solar system, solves 70 piece puzzles and much, much more ....

The two year, 9 month old toddler has an I.Q. of 154...putting him points away from Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein!    (And I'm proud when my kids put their dishes in the dishwasher without being reminded!!!)




 photograph: Leah Hennel, Postmedia News



2 Cats Faux Box!- Funny Video

Watch two very similar-looking cats 'box'....pretty funny....and the decor in the room: PRICELESS!

TIME-LAPSED VIDEO OF ONE WORLD TRADE CTR CONSTRUCTION!

Time-lapsed video of the One World Trade centre construction....

From Your ENABLER: Shameless Workday Procrastion

When it comes to enabling your workday procrastination, I am shameless....here are two adorable videos....

MANSOME: The Documentary About Masculinity

Honestly, this looks FUNNY!  I heart Wil Arnet, Jason Bateman and Zach G and so, I expect this doc to be awesome!! (Director is Morgan Spurlock of 'Super Size Me' fame)

'SHOULD I CHECK EMAIL?'- FUNNY!

Ordinarily, flow charts are too boring for me to follow, even the funny ones...THIS ONE, however, MADE ME HOWL OUT LOUD!!!

Created by Katherine Ellison, a Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative journalist, author, writing consultant and former foreign correspondent.

VIDEO: Make an APPLE PUZZLE! Neat!

Tomorrow morning dazzle your younger children with your APPLE PUZZLE...make it tonight and if you lightly brush it with lemon juice it will keep from turning brown.

Eensie Weensie Itty Bitty FOOD SCULPTURE!

Wow!   Such detail and SO SMALL!! Adorbs!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shayaaron

Because I Want My Kids to Grow Up in Kinder, More Accepting World!

 This video comes from Meldmedia.com ...    "LGBT Youthline came to us with an incredible ask: to help visualize in an empathetic way how homophobia and transphobia hurt everyone...."





The video above was inspired by a the death of a brave, high-profile transgender woman Agnes Torres in Mexico....read more about the tragedy and the disturbing fact that 6 similar murders have already happened in Mexico!

Elderly Man & His Ipod: Heartwarming!

With advances in technology around us daiy, it can be easy to forget the profound impact certain aspects of technology can have in the simplest of situations...like this dear man and how he's reclaimed a part of himself that was lost long ago...and it happened with an ipod....

Oscar the Cat: SUPER SNEAK!!!

And I don't know what is more funny, a.the intensity with which this cat is watching Star Wars or b. the hilarious way he is sitting!!!

Perez Hilton: Blobby Blogger NO MORE!!

So, I knew Perez Hilton was working on a building a healthier lifestyle and was attempting to cut out the negativity he was originally spewing on his blog....but WOW, what a difference!  And in fairness to him, it took him almost 4 years which is an amazing exercise in committment!.

Read more about his weight loss and watch a nice 'defining moment' video post  HERE.