Film Streams - Tim's Vermeer

This weekend we drove over to Film Streams. It's in the downtown area of Omaha. I've never been there. They are a nonprofit organization that feature independent films. I usually don't care for documentary films, but am starting to grow an appreciation for them because Daddy loves them.

I just love painted signs on brick.

There were a few tags on the wall. I love tags when they are good ones. Some graffiti is art, while other tags look trashy. 

As you can see the tags were certainly purposeful and well done! Hitchcock 9: The Manxman is playing there.

We were meeting up with Aunt Angela to take Apel boy 1 and 2 to the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Isaak was pretending to be Spider-Man. He wanted me to kiss him because he was upside down. No I didn't. He has an obsession with kissing. Kindergarteners!

   

What one does, the other has to do to. This one better watch it. He's growing, and his head is close to the sidewalk. YIKES!

Off the Jr. Apel's went. We were able to enjoy our movie.

We saw Tim's Vermeer. It's about a guy that is obsessed with trying to figure out how Vermeer painted his art. He set up the whole space to create Vermeer's staged room to paint. Penn and Teller are in the movie to, which adds some humor here and there. Tim's never painted and he decided to create Vermeer's studio, and created a machine to use to paint.

A Wedding

On Saturday we set out to go to a wedding where we only sort of knew the people that were getting married, and their kids.

Really Mica's sleeve does fit. It just looks like it doesn't because of how his arm is around Isaak.

Isaak is in their son's class. He's only been on playdates with him twice.

I questioned if we should go, or not go? I questioned why we were invited? Then I decided it didn't matter, we were invited. Who knows they could be very nice people. They seem like they are.

Their son likes our son, and vice versa. I was sure their son's face would light up when he saw that Isaak was there. Sure enough his face did light up. He ran to Isaak, and hugged him. He kept coming up, and saying, "Hi" to Isaak before the ceremony started. He had the hugest smile on his face. Seeing that made it worth it.

When the flower girl came down, she dropped fake flower petals. Isaak said softly, "Mom can I have one of those?" I said, "No. Leave it on the ground." He along with Mica kept trying to get just 1 petal with their foot. I think they ending up getting 2 each. 

It was an interesting ceremony. It was in Korean and English. The Mom is from Korea, and the Step Dad is from here. I love that our kids were introduced to a different type of wedding. My Step Grandma is from the Philippines, so I as a child was introduced to that culture often.

They had someone sing in English and a group of young adults sing in Korean.

Instead of having a unity candle, they had containers of colored salt. Each family member went up to pour a different color into the jar. It was a symbol that they were all one. Regardless of the color of their skin, they were one. I thought that was pretty cool.

When they did the sand pouring Mica and Isaak kept saying, "They are going to do a Science experiment!" I kept, Shhhing them. I have to admit it was pretty smart thinking on their part.

We didn't end up going to the reception. The rest of the day was pretty busy. Aunt Angela offered to take the boys to the zoo, while we headed to an art movie. I'm not sure how much food we would have been able to eat (being on a special diet). We wouldn't of known anyone to talk to. I was curious if the reception was different, or very similar to the ones we have here.

I wish I could ask the people in front of us about the white powdery cream they had on their cheeks. 3 of them had it on, and I don't know if it was a custom to wear that for a wedding, or what it was for. I of course didn't ask, and Google that answers almost everything isn't answering that.

Have you ever been to a wedding that was different from what you are used to? 

Off the Edge of the Map Book Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Off the Edge of the Map is about 11 Travelers and Explorers:

1. Rabban Bar Sauma, Chinese Nestorian Monk
2. Marco Polo, Opening the Door to the East
3. Ibn Battuta, The Everlasting Pilgrimage 
4. Admiral Ming Zheng He, Master of the Seas
5. Hernán Cortés, Conqueror of the Aztecs
6. Ferdinand Magellan, Captain of the Terrifying Voyage Across an Endless Sea
7. Captain James Cook, England's Poseidon
8. Sir Richard Francis Burton, Spy Soldier, Linguist, Swordsman, and Secret Pilgrim to Mecca
9. Sir Henry M. Stanley, Dr. Lingstone
10. Ernest Shackleton, Frozen March at the Bottom of the World
11. Neil Armstong, Soft Spoken Test Pilot and Bridger of the Worlds

I like the stories in this book. Each chapter is a break up of a different explorer. If you want to skip ahead and read about a different explorer, you can. 

Some were on a religious journey, others were on a mission of trade, while others were on a voyage to walk the earth, hoping for discovery.

"Whether it is Rabban Bar Sauma, the 13th-century Chinese monk commissioned by the Mongols to travel to Europe and form a military alliance against the Islamic Caliphate; Marco Polo, who opened a window to the East for the West; or Captain James Cook, whose maritime voyages of discovery created the global economy of the 21st century, each of these explorers had an indelible impact on the modern world."

I always liked reading books about discovery. My Dad would tell me stories at night about different people in history. It was fascinating that one person in history was capable of doing so much! 

The book isn't too long, and it isn't too short. It's 216 pages, most chapters are about 15 pages long. Off the Edge of the Map is $8.09 for a paperback version, and Kindle version is $3.99. It's written by Michael Rank, who was #1 bestselling author of History's Greatest Generals. "Michael Rank is a doctoral candidate in Middle East history. He has studied Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Armenian, and French." It's good for anyone interested in history, and can be used as a learning tool in the classroom for older kids.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.


This week I'm putting up something a little different than normal. The song we've all heard more than likely.


There's no arguing that Audrey Hepburn was a beauty back in the day. She had style, and grace.

Source

When she sang the song Moon River it stopped people in their tracks. It wasn't a complicated song, the song was just like Audrey, simple, pure and beautiful.

Now you know I like to put something on here that is new and different, so here goes: 

Galaxy Chocolate put out an ad a few years ago. They hired an actress that looked like Audrey Hepburn, but she didn't have Audrey's grace. Filming the set was expensive. Instead of trying to find a new look a like, they made Audrey 3D on the computer to fit in with everything that was going on around her. Yes there is a difference from the real Audrey to the 3D Audrey, but they look pretty darn close.

Can you tell that's not the real Audrey Hepburn?

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Random Tid Bits

1. I burnt the bottom of a pan this week - yuck! I could not scrub the burnt stuff off. I said to Daddy, "I bet vinegar will clean it, but I'm going to look on the internet first. Sure enough vinegar played a part. Cover the bottom of the pan with water, add just as much vinegar as water, and boil. Remove the pan from the heat, and over the sink add 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda. It will fizz! Use a scouring pad, clean that burnt crap out. If it's really suborn make a paste with Baking Soda and scrub some more.


2. I don't use cleaners anymore. Well hardly anyhow. What do I use to clean with? Orange, lemon, lime, or clementine peelings steeped in vinegar for a few weeks.





3. We keep an ongoing compost pile. Our winter load is 3/4 of a huge trash can. I'm ready for it to warm up, so I can dump it. I've thought about indoor composting for the winter time, but I'll have to look into it more. It seems to me that it would take up some room that we don't have.

Some great things about composting: We go through less trash, our trash doesn't stink as fast, it's great for the soil, and the garden.

Do you keep a compost pile?


4. A new store in San Fransisco opened up where they are selling seeds by the register instead of gum. How cool would that be? I'd love if some stores would rethink what they put up at the checkout.

   

   Source: Read the full article here.



5. Our diet is going good. I've lost 8 pounds (I'm writing this Monday, so I may have lost more). Daddy thought we would have lost more weight, but I've read it's better to loose slowly than to loose fast. You're more apt to put weight back on if you loose fast. My stomach has been feeling better with a limited diet. We've exercised every morning for 1/2 an hour. Then at lunch time if I'm not doing errands I fast walk around the building. Slowly we'll add foods back in. So far berries, apples, and beans have been added back into our diet. What I really want to stay off of as much as possible is sugar and milk products. Our boys still consume those things though. They to are getting more greens though.

Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner & Preservative #Giveaway

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I got a new kitchen table a little more than a year ago. It's solid, has the ability to expand if needed, and looks cool.

One problem with it is that the wood wasn't finished much. They really don't put much varnish on all wood tables any longer. I've been using placemats to help protect it. I've tinkered with the idea of varnishing it, but read that there are other ways to preserve wood.

Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner & Preservative is one great way to keep my table looking nice!

You can see about the only good thing about the picture below is the product that's on it. The wood looks drab towards the back of the photo.  I even wiped it off with a damp washcloth, and it still looks blah. 

Before the use of Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner & Preservative

The next photo is after using Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner & Preservative.

After the use of Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner & Preservative

It certainly shined it up, and helped clean it. I like knowing that I've got a product that preserves the wood.

After learning more about the company, and their products, I'd love to try out Floor and Restore! It makes dull floors with scratches look new again. 
  

About Scott’s Liquid Gold Company:

• Scott’s Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner and Preservative was founded in 1951 in a garage in Denver, Colorado.  Some of the best businesses start in a garage.  


• It is made with natural organic oils. The oils rejuvenate and restores all types of natural wood. I noticed no scent, which is a great thing!


• Scott's Liquid Gold has been a trusted name in household care for generations. The name certainly was familiar. This is the first I've ever used it. Your mom or grandmother more than likely had a can of Liquid Gold under the kitchen sink!


• Scott's Liquid Gold makes high quality household products that are sold in stores across the US. 


• Scott’s Liquid Gold has been in the same location since 1970 and is proud to be an American manufacturer.

Giveaway Time:

One of my US readers is going to win this product:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.

 
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

White Matcha Tea Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I'm on a diet right now. It's to loose weight, and to figure out what my body doesn't like. I have so many environmental allergies, and tummy issues. I'm sure food allergies are there to.

I actually drink the steamed water from the green veggies. It's not too bad if I refrigerate it first. Then I have a ton of water! Lastly I treat myself to warm White Matcha Tea.

I drink it because I know there is no added chemicals, preservatives, or sweeteners in it. 

 100% Pure Matcha

Natural Flavors

Artificial Coloring

Sweeteners

Preservatives

MSG/Chemical Additives

 

I can't drink coffee right now. White Matcha Tea and early morning exercise both boost my energy level naturally. The tea is also:

• High antioxidant count to kill free radicals in the blood stream

• Reduces the risk of certain types of cancer

• Decreases fine lines and wrinkles in the skin

• Helps maintain a beautiful complexion

• Has only one percent (1%) caffeine content of coffee, so there is coffee in it, but it's only 1%

30 grams is $19.99, a little goes a long way!

Why White Tea?

White Matcha is made in exactly the same way as regular Green Tea Matcha is made. It is stone ground to a fine powder. They just used White Tea instead of Green Tea. 

Why would they offer a White Matcha? 

For people who like Matcha Tea in its original form as a Green Tea, you know how flavorful and pure it is. They want to give that to all tea lovers. Whether you like Green Tea, Black Tea, White Tea or any other kind of tea, they want you to experience the Matcha in different flavors.


What does stone grinding do for tea leaves?

This is special process that does not take away from the flavor or take away any of the health benefits of original tea leaves. Basically with the stone grinding process, you are getting the highest quality tea in its purest form outside of just having straight from the tea tree. It is simple and straightforward, leaving tea leaves with tons of flavor and amazing healthful qualities.

White Tea has some wonderful qualities to help maintain good health. In essence, White Matcha contains those same qualities with a purer taste.

It's super easy to make!

• Put it in a smoothie
• Add cows milk, almond milk, rice milk, or soy milk to it
• Add water to it
• Drink it cold
• Drink it hot

Since I haven't been drinking milk of any kind, I just put a spoon full of White Matcha Tea in a mug, or jar, and poured water in it and drank it warm. Sometimes it does need a stirring towards the end of the drink. If I dink it in a jar, I put the lid on and shake it up instead of stirring it.

Check Red Leaf Tea on Twitter and Facebook.        

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with this review. 

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.