It's The Big Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello everyone, the day is finally here. I hope you have a wonderful day and you celebrate it with the people you love.

Enjoy this card from to you.

http://www.care2.com/send/pickup/304/493/800/286/031/638

You Still Have One Day

Pre-Valentine's Day Jitters

Fellas, Fellas its the day before Valentine's Day. I hope you have an idea of what you want to do for your special valentine. Even for those that do not, you still have one day to get your act together. Valentine's Day is important because it's a National event that plays as a venue for you to show your appreciation and love you that special someone. Now remember this: Valentine's Day should not be the only day you show your significant someone how much you appreciate, care, and love them; it should be a daily action. 

But I hope you, ladies and gentlemen enjoy this day... Remember you still have on more day so in the meantime enjoy these fun facts about Valentine's Day.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve."

More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine's Day.

73 percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.

15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.

Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S.

220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine's Day each year.

California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the greater number sold on Valentine's Day in the U.S. are imported, mostly from South America.

Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

In the U.S., 64 percent of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine's Day with their sweethearts. 

About 3 percent of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.

In the 1800s doctors commonly advised their heartbroken patients to eat chocolate, claiming it would sooth their pain. To this day, many women find comfort in a box of chocolates when dealing with heartbreak.

 Cool Stuff

Ice Made Simple

The Ice That Could

Ice is best thing that the Food industry could take advantage of to preserve perishable foods. The meat and transportation industries benefit the most because meat has to be stored at cool temperatures and the truck drivers do not have to rush to reach their destination. Without ice this world would not be able to cool down or store food. But in 1935 Frederick McKinley Jones made sure everyone across the country could enjoy gourmet cuisine.

Frederick Jones was born in in Covington, Kentucky near Cincinnati, Ohio on on May 17, 1893. He was a trained mechanic, a skill he learned doing military service in France during World War. His mastery of electronic devices was largely self-taught, through work experience and the inventing process.

Frederick McKinley Jones was one of the most prolific Black inventors ever. Frederick Jones patented more than sixty inventions, however, he is best known for inventing an automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks in 1935 (a roof-mounted cooling device). Jones was the first person to invent a practical, mechanical refrigeration system for trucks and railroad cars, which eliminated the risk of food spoilage during long-distance shipping trips. The system was, in turn, adapted to a variety of other common carriers, including ships. Frederick Jones was issued the patent on July 12, 1940 (#2,303,857). 

 

Without the contribution of Mr. Frederick McKinley Jones, then my favorite Omaha Steaks would never get to me fresh. The next time you open up your freezer think about Frederick Jones. 

http://www.black-inventor.com/Frederick-McKinley-Jones.asp

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blf_jones.htm

Tasty Treat Monday

                         

           Tasty Treat Monday              

Good morning everyone. I hope your weekend was very nice. Mine was good I got a lot done, but this week is full. But anyway, I'm glad you guys tuned in this morning for Tasty Treat Monday because I have Cookies 'n' Creme Fudge to share. It is awesome. I love anything that is cookies 'n creme like Breyers Ice Cream, McDonald's McFlurries, and the Crunch Bars. I'm happy to send you this sweet.


What You Will Need:

• 3 6oz packages of white chocolate baking squares
• 1 14oz can of EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 3 cups of coarsely crushed chocolate creme-filled sandwich cookies (Oreo)

Directions

1. In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt white chocolate squares, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in crushed cookies.
2. Spread evenly into wax-paper-lined 8-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm.
3. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

This is fast, easy to make, and this fudge makes a great Valentine's Day treat.

Sunday Morning Bit

Our Daily Bread

By: Bill Crowder

RBC Ministries 

February 10, 2013

Read: James 3:1-12

Greek Fire

Greek fire was a chemical solution that was used in ancient warfare by the Byzantine Empire against its enemies. According to one online source, it was developed around ad 672 and was used with devastating effect, especially in sea warfare because it could burn on water. What was Greek fire? Its actual chemical composition remains a mystery. It was such a valuable military weapon that the formula was kept an absolute secret—and was lost to the ravages of history. Today, researchers continue to try to replicate that ancient formula, but without success.

One source of catastrophic destruction among believers in Christ, however, is not a mystery. James tells us that the source of ruin in our relationships is often a very different kind of fire. He wrote, “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body” (James 3:6). Those strong words remind us how damaging unguarded words can be to those around us.

Instead of creating the kind of verbal “Greek fire” that can destroy relationships, families, and churches, let’s yield our tongue to the Holy Spirit’s control and allow our words to glorify the Lord.

It seems, Father, that sometimes we are our own
worst enemies. Forgive us for speaking destructively
to fellow Christians, and teach us to use wise words
that can encourage and build their walk with You.

 

To bridle your tongue, give God the reins of your heart.

Words of Wisdom

Words Of Wisdom

"More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them." - Harold J. Smith

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Those who walk with God reach their destination.

When you are down to nothing, God is up to something.

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

How can anyone ever love you for who you are if you become someone else to be with them?

You can only see others as clearly as you see yourself.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." - John Wooden

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way." - Karen S. Magee

Some men see things as they are, and say, "Why?" Still others dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?"

Doubt asks who believes? Faith answers, "I".

Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.

"You cannot discover oceans unless you have the courage to leave the shore."- Successories

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

"Follow the three R's: Respect for self, respect for others and responsibility for all your actions."- Dali Lama

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."- Dali Lama

"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly."- Dali Lama

"Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship."- Dali Lama

"When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it."- Dali Lama

"Spend some time alone every day."- Dali Lama

"Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values." - Dali Lama

 

Cite

Clutch

Starbucks

                                                

Today, I have to give credit to Starbucks for allowing me to witness to this high school student name Chris from one of my tours. Thank you Starbucks.

The day started out horrible because I woke up late for class. After being up till 3 a.m. working on homework from one class, I guess I did not hear my alarm that morning. So I show up thirty minutes and figured, "Hey, I didn't miss much." So I finish out my day with another lab class that required me to work in a team to identify a metal sample based on comparing quantifiable mechanical properties. 

But I digress, I had signed up for a tour yesterday around three in the afternoon and truthfully, I wasn't up for it. It was starting to rain and I just wanted to sleep, but I did it anyway and I am so glad I did. This tour was from the Metro DC - VA area and they wanted a bus tour, tours like the Double-Decker buses in New York. Even though the tour was not as great as my normal tours, the best part would have to be when a student started to have trouble breathing on the bus. I know that sounds bad but hear me out. So, the bus was blazing hot and the air was very stuff and with this student unable to breath, he was needed an escort to go somewhere to find something hot to drink... 

Skipping to the chase, I walk this student named Chris and a chaperone to Starbucks and boom it happened. Chris was enjoying the tour and enjoying the college experience but he wasn't sold on attending college far away from home. This kid is a child of a single parent home, he mentors a fourth grader (that is making straight A's now because of him), and he takes care of his little brother. He was just sitting there trying wrap his head around taking the next step in his life without having the feeling of leaving his loved ones behind. 

So there I was, in Starbucks with this young man and I just found myself ordering a Strawberry n' Creme Frappacino with a cinnamon roll (<---that cinnamon roll cost me three freaking dollars alone. Ridiculous) and got real comfortable and talked to Chris. I told him that he can do great things and still have an impact on somebody's life. Chris wanted to make sure that his brother and his mentee taken care off and would not be overtaken by the system. I made sure that he knew that scholarships were out there for students like him with a story, drive, and a loving heart so that financial aid would not be the reason he didn't try. Leaving Starbucks, I felt that Chris was gonna make it and be able to support his loved ones in the future with the help of his successful career in Criminal Justice.

Thank you Starbucks, if feels good to make a difference. And for listening to my story here's a link for one dollar off a coffee or click the banner above for access to other Starbucks products.

Save $1 on your favorite Starbucks® whole bean coffees. Online only. Offer ends 2/10/13.