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Make your Christmas morning breakfast a breeze with this easy, tasty make-ahead sausage, egg and cheese casserole. This easy breakfast recipe can be put together the night before and is sure to impress your holiday breakfast guests!
Whether your family does breakfast before or after you open gifts, Christmas morning breakfast is always such a fun time and a great way to start the day off in a festive way. This make-ahead breakfast casserole takes a lot the stress out of Christmas morning as all the work is done the night before so all you have to do is pop the casserole in the oven and bake it for about an hour.
For many years after I got divorced I used to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with a friend from college and her family. It kind of became a tradition that included me and her son, who is really into cooking as well, to come up with an egg casserole for Christmas morning breakfast. I think the original version started out with a super easy recipe she gave us to follow but over time her son and I modified it, probably a bit each year. Eggs, sausage, bread (strata like), onion, cheese, maybe mushrooms, spices that we threw together the night before so it was ready for Christmas morning.
How do you make a breakfast casserole ahead of time?
The beauty of this easy overnight breakfast casserole is that it takes just a few easy steps to put it together.
- Toast the bread cubes in the oven or toaster oven
- Brown the breakfast sausage until it's nice and crumbly
- Whisk together the eggs, milk and seasonings
- Shred the cheddar cheese (or buy it pre-shredded to save a bit of time)and add to the eggs
- Mix the sausage and bread cubes together
- Pour the egg mixture over everything
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight
- Preheat the oven and while it's heating, sprinkle another ¾ cup of cheese over the casserole
- Bake and serve!
When you are making an egg-based casserole, the worst thing that can happen is having not quite cooked eggs so you want to be sure you don't undercook this breakfast dish. The best way to check it is to take it out of the oven when you think it's done and insert a knife in the middle. The knife should come out clean and the casserole should be set in the middle. Since ovens can vary in cooking temperature you may need to let yours cook for an extra 5- 10 minutes to ensure it's done.
The result is a simple and comforting breakfast recipe that is perfect for the holidays when friends and family are visiting. Happy Holidays!!
Things You May Want for This Recipe
Kitchen Whisk – A good whisk is a necessity in every kitchen. There are many different types of whisks out there but if you don't want to go overboard with kitchen tools a nice, large balloon whisk like this one will work for most things.
Rectangular Baking Dish – Baking dishes are also a kitchen necessity. There are so many options for baking dishes so I recommend picking something neutral that works for both cooking and serving. A good place to start is with a 9x13 dish like I used for this casserole. 8x8 is another useful size that I recommend for most kitchens.
Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- 4 cups cubed sourdough or french bread
- ⅔ pound pork or turkey breakfast sausage
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups low-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Prepare the pan. Coat a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.
- Lightly toast the bread cubes. You can do this by putting them in a toaster oven for a few minutes or spreading them on a baking sheet and baking in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
- Cook the sausage. While the bread cubes are toasting, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until crumbly, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool while you mix the eggs.
- Make the egg mixture. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt, pepper and sage together until fully combined. Add ¾ cup of cheddar cheese and stir.
- Prepare the casserole. Add the bread and sausage to the prepared baking dish and mix together. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and sausage.
- Refrigerate. Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Uncover the casserole and sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of cheddar on top of the casserole. Bake until golden and the eggs are set, about 60 to 65 minutes. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow cool for about 10 minutes before serving.


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Today's learner benefits from a myriad of educational opportunities. In rapidly increasing numbers, courses and degree programs are no longer limited to students by distance or time. Online learning is becoming more prevalent as students in academic institutions around the world request this option due to geographical constraints, the need for greater schedule flexibility, and demands placed on the new knowledge workforce that requires lifelong learning.
The Internet has provided a transformational highway for distance learning. Access to information and communication technologies in education has gradually advanced as more schools and universities acquire the technology needed, particularly broadband capability.
Online course enrollments around the world continue to increase. Countries with the highest use of the Internet for educational activities in 2006 included Finland with over 30% of its population, followed by the United Kingdom, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, and the Netherlands, all with more than 20% usage by their respective populations (OECD Ministerial Meeting, 2008).
In 2007, the United States had 3.94 million online students. Over 20% of all U.S. higher education students were taking at least one online course. This was an increase of almost 13% over the preceding year in 2006. In 2002, there were only 1.6 million students taking at least one online course. The number of online students has therefore more than doubled in this five year period (Allen & Seaman, 2008).
At the same time, online enrollments continue to increase at a rate that exceeds that of overall higher education enrollments. In the United States, from 2002 to 2007, the annual growth rate for online learning was 19.7% compared to 1.6% for overall higher education during that same time frame (Allen & Seaman, 2008).
As the delivery of online courses becomes more main stream, best practices for teaching and learning online are paramount. A basic core requirement is that students must be enveloped in a community environment that is dynamic and rich in learning experiences. Course learning goals are best met through interaction, reflective feedback, and a community of practice.
The integration of online learning within education is providing opportunities for instructors to incorporate new technologies into their teaching and learning environments. These technologies include an array of Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, social networking, and three dimensional multi-user virtual environments (3D MUVEs). This is the new participatory Web.
Virtual worlds are a relatively new development to the Internet. They can be a text based, online virtual reality system where multiple users (players) are connected at the same time, known as a multi-user object oriented system (MOOS). And they can also be three dimensional, providing a 3D graphical user interface that can resemble actual places, such as the Louvre museum in France or a world created with a futuristic presence. (Figure 1)
Virtual worlds allow multiple users to socialize and interact with each other in a dynamic and interactive space. Participants within a 3D MUVE interact synchronously, in real time, through the actions of their online personality or avatar. An avatar is a representation of self. (Figure 2)
Virtual worlds present opportunities to promote student collaboration and learning of concepts. As a learning environment, virtual worlds have the potential to provide a positive learning experience to students by emphasizing real world application and skill based learning.
Here students can manipulate and apply theories in a meaningful context where content can be applied and practiced. The virtual world provides tangible real world experience with the direct purpose of learning from the environment and reflecting on the information presented.
While technology tools used in online or Web hybrid classes, such as blogs, wikis, and discussions provide opportunities for collaboration and guided, thoughtful discussion and feedback, multi-user virtual worlds extend opportunities for students to think critically about course content by role playing, interacting, and manipulating content within a graphical and interactive environment.
Virtual Worlds: A computer-based simulated environment that can be text based, two dimensional, or three dimensional where participants interact via their online persona as avatars. This environment allows participants to manipulate elements of the world itself allowing the user to feel as though they are present in the virtual world.
Constructivism: A theory that suggests students build on knowledge (schema) that they already know or understand. Within a constructivist learning environment, students are actively engaged in the learning process rather than passively listening to acquire knowledge. Students are challenged to build on existing knowledge and gain new and more complex knowledge.
Social Equality and Diversity: The assurance that technology is accessible to all. Identifying and removing global telecommunications barriers as well as educational resistance to technology integration, and improving teacher professional development training on MUVEs as well as open access to all Web 2.0 tools.
3D MUVE: A three dimensional multi-user virtual environment is a Web-based, three dimensional world that can be accessed by multiple, simultaneous users for interaction with digital artifacts and communication with other participants. Users represent themselves through avatars and interact in a simulated environment that mirrors the real world.
Avatar: Within the virtual environment, participants assume a virtual existence in the form of an avatar. In many MUVEs, avatars are fully customizable. An avatar is a personal representation of self in an online environment.
Web 2.0: This is the read/write, participatory Web. Facilitates interactive information sharing and collaboration. Includes Web-based communities, social networking Web sites, Wikis, blogs and MUVEs. In contrast to non-interactive Web sites where users are limited to passive information viewing, Web 2.0 encourages active participation and engagement.
Global Literacy: The ability of all citizens throughout the world to identify, interpret, analyze, synthesize, create, use, communicate, and share new knowledge using the written word, multimedia, and communication technologies with a worldwide audience. An understanding that the world is multicultural with specific and subtle differences in individuals and in cultural groups, both locally and globally.
Transformative Learning: Through transformative learning a student becomes increasingly aware of the information that surrounds them. Students explore this information, test assumptions and expectations, and beginning to think critically about this new information in order to make a tacit change in behavior or action.
21st Century Learner: Students who use skills, technology resources, and Web 2.0 tools to inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge in order to draw conclusions, make decisions, apply information, create knowledge, share resources, and participate as a productive member of the global economy.
Online Education: A learning environment created using the Web and accessed through the computer. Classes are conducted using the Internet as the delivery method rather than a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom setting.

subset: commoncrawl


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> Not to put the burden entirely on the messenger, but can't anyone (or at least a CNA like RBS) DISPUTE a CVE entry? This would be the crowd-based approach, assuming some vendor CNAs don't notice or care about inaccurate CVE entries.
This is also consistent with the fail fast approach that has been discussed many times in the past. If someone notices problems with assignments, we can always correct and/or dispute them after the fact.
Carsten: If you would like to move forward and formally dispute the referenced CVE entries, please let us know.
> We should encourage researchers to create reports that have a minimum level of quality and reliability in order to obtain CVEs.
Absolutely agree and we should have this discussion here. The CVE program should always encourage a high degree of quality and reliability. The program should also have a reasonable minimum level of quality and reliability. However, we need to be careful about how much is required. It's probably reasonable to assume that some researchers might not bother obtaining a CVE ID if a PoC was added to the list of requirements.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that all of the information provided to us at the time of assignment will be published or stay the same when it is finally published by the requester.
Also, even if we were given a PoC at the time of assignment, MITRE does not check the validity of the PoC.
A couple of additional reasons the CVE team feels that there should be continued assignments for Lin's requests:
- We are attempting to move the CVE Program to a federated model where MITRE gets out of the business of assigning and creating CVE entries. If we are talking about creating more upfront analysis of CVE requests by the MITRE CNA, we would definitely be moving backwards from prior discussions. It seems the better approach would be for the community to speak up and dispute specific entries where they are questionable based on real analysis.
- There is proof that Lin is coordinating with the closed-source vendors, e.g., http://www.irfanview.com/main_
history.htmsays "FPX/RLE/DJVU/ANI/SVG PlugIn loading bugs fixed (thanks to Lin Wang)" -- even in cases where the vendor is not explicitly saying it was an exploitable vulnerability.
- in the small fraction of cases where Lin works on Open Source, he apparently is finding security problems that can be reproduced, e.g., http://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/
cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017- 14686


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FARGO, N.D. — Friends of 4-H and 4-H alumni can help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North Dakota 4-H Camp, near Washburn, on Aug. 19-20.
They'll be able to participate in a variety of activities, including a North Dakota State University BBQ Boot Camp grilling class, a social and silent auction, and entertainment. Those who want to stay for the weekend will have the opportunity to enjoy a camplike experience.
4-H alumni and friends also can sample a variety of educational opportunities similar to those that youth who attend camp experience. Special activities include a reunion for people who attended the camp, or served as staff or an adult volunteer.
The North Dakota 4-H Foundation, which owns the camp, is asking for items to be donated for the silent auction. Examples of silent auction items include quilts, woodworking, photography and leatherwork. Contact Lynn Moser, celebration chairperson and North Dakota 4-H Foundation Board member, at firstname.lastname@example.com if you have items to donate.
Tours of the newly refurbished cabins and dining hall, and the newly constructed Johnsrud 4-H Education Center and cabins will be a highlight of the celebration.
"The renovation and building project was completed through the generous contributions of a number of private donors, along with a state appropriation," says Brad Cogdill, chair of the NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development. "These improvements have enhanced the camp's learning environment, increased the camp's capacity to accommodate larger youth groups, provided access to people of all abilities, and helps ensure a sustainable, environmentally responsible camp program."
The North Dakota 4-H Camp was established in 1967 as the Western North Dakota 4-H Camp, one of two regional 4-H camps. It has become the sole statewide 4-H camp facility.
Its location is historically significant. The 84-acre facility is along the banks of the Missouri River near Fort Mandan, where explorers Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1804.
The celebration also is a fundraiser for the camp. The cost for attending the event Saturday, Aug. 19, is $75 per person, and for both days, the cost is $125 per person. The registration deadline is July 31.
For more information or registration details, visit the North Dakota 4-H Foundation's website for this event at http://www.ndsu.edu/4h/reunion or call the North Dakota 4-H Foundation at 701-231-8569.
4-H is the largest and only research-based youth organization in the state. Although the camp has 4-H in its name, its programs are open to all youth.
— NDSU Agriculture Communication
For more news from North Dakota, click here.


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About Sonic Umbrella
What if the sky could rain anything? Stand under the umbrella to hear the sounds of raining dog toys, ping pong balls, and more. This experiment uses WebVR and the Web Audio API to place objects and sound effects in 3D space. You'll hear objects crashing not just to your left and right, but above you, below you, in front of you, and behind you.
The open-source code is available here, and check out more WebVR Experiments here.
Built by Plan8.


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The Tech Media Minute: Pondering Apple's iOS 10, watchOS 3 at WWDC 2016
Was the WWDC keynote all that you wanted it to be? Here's our daily look at what's happening in the world of technology.
3 Stories/30 Seconds
Early takeaways from iOS 10, watch OS betas
That stillness you heard yesterday afternoon was the Internet slowing down as Apple developers (and novices alike) downloaded the first betas for iOS 10, macOS 10.12, tvOS 10, and watchOS 10 following the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote.
Very early thoughts: These are impressive upgrades. Still, we think Apple might have gone overboard with the iMessages update in iOS 10. These are cute tools for kids, but most users might be confused with all of the new features. And watchOS 10? A definite step in the right direction. The new faces are great and yes, apps run much quicker now.
Still wondering: Why won't Apple give us third-party Watch faces?
Odds and ends from keynote
Major kudos go to the folks at Apple for holding a well-paced and dynamic keynote address. Each section moved appropriately into the next, something that has often been lacking at previous Apple events.
Some lingering questions remain, however:
- Tim Cook is the face at Apple, so why does he hide so much at these events?
- Nothing about iTunes? This app has become a disaster.
- Does Apple expect us to talk to Siri every day from our work cubicles?
- No Amazon Video on Apple TV. Really, Apple?
Xbox One S
Over at E3
Apple didn't announce new hardware at WWDC. Microsoft did at the E3 Expo. The Xbox One maker unveiled a compact version called the Xbox One S, which launches in August. The company also announced Xbox One Project Scorpio, which will support high definition virtual reality as well as games designed to exploit new 4K Ultra HD technology. That version doesn't launch until 2017.
For more from WWDC, see:
Trending/15 Seconds
NASA confirmed that the #Cygnus cargo vehicle was successfully released from the International Space Station today.
Also trending this Tuesday:
Today/15 Seconds
Today, June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. It's also Monkey Around Day.
WWDC continues in San Francisco, California (through June 17). Down in Los Angeles, the E3 Expo continues (through June 16).
Rewind: On this day in 1942, Disney's "Bambi" was released. This is also the day in 1834 that Isaac Fischer Jr. patented sandpaper.
Extra Minutes
Have a few more minutes? Check out these other stories making news:
- First Click: Microsoft's beautiful new Xbox shows why modular gadgets are doomed, The Verge
- The Hottest Trailers From Ubisoft's E3 2016 Press Conference, GameSpot
- Minecraft takes a big step towards becoming a fully cross-platform game, TechCrunch
Want even more? Check out Tech Media Extra.
The Tech Media Minute is published Monday through Friday on AppAdvice.


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A lot of web developers find themselves wondering about the differences between certain technologies in their tool belt. While it's worth noting that jQuery is a JavaScript library, not a framework like AngularJS, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the two come from the same backgrounds. After all, jQuery is incredibly powerful and extensive, that's part of why it's been used to help developers manipulate DOM environments since 2006.
The AngularJS framework didn't arrive on the scene until 2009, offering developers in the space a new way to build dynamic single web page applications that work effectively with the latest web practices. Today, both jQuery and AngularJS play a very important role in helping to support front-end web development, before you jump into the considerations surrounding web hosting.
Here, we'll take a look at the key differences between jQuery and Angular JS, and the best use cases for each of them.
Let's start by looking at the oldest option out of the two, jQuery. jQuery is a type of DOM manipulation library designed to help developers use JavaScript with ease when creating applications and websites. For most developers, JavaScript remains to be the most popular and accessible language to use when creating dynamic and interactive web pages, either for themselves or their clients.
jQuery is effective because it takes the complicated coding involved in manipulating the DOM, and transforms it into a simple solution that developers can use to make changes with single lines of JavaScript. Not only does jQuery make life easier for developers, but it can also ensure that you are more productive and efficient in your career too.
The key technical features to be aware of when it comes to using the jQuery library for your development projects include:
Part of what makes jQuery so appealing to modern developers is the fact that it can be used in almost any developmental situation. There are no assumptions made about technology stacks, and you can use jQuery in conjunction with any of your other frameworks, including the Angular JS framework. In fact, it's worth noting that AngularJS was originally designed using an implementation in jQuery known as jgLite.
Since there's no fundamental structure to jQuery, you should have full freedom to create your projects however you like. However, this lack of structure can also be problematic, leading to issues like spaghetti code, and confusion in larger projects.
Remember, if you're going to add functionality to an application on AngularJS with a jQuery plugin, you will need to make sure that you're following the right steps to ensure proper data binding within the application. You should never try to call jQuery plugins from within your controller either as you might with a non-Angular app. jQuery is most effective in situations where you require absolute flexibility or specific customised features.
AngularJS is a type of JavaScript framework designed to help developers create their SPAs in accordance with best practice solutions for web development. By offering a more structured space to build SPAs, the risk of producing damaged code can be sometimes be limited. AngularJS also allows for a suite of features that help the developer to do more with less code.
As you may recognise from the features above, while jQuery is a fast and feature-rich language with a fantastic library and plenty of great tools, AngularJS can be better suited for web application development because it works on JSON data and HTML code. This helps to develop a stronger interactive website and robust applications, but it can also lead to erratic and slow-loading websites in some cases.
AngularJS is the best solution for developers to use when they want to create robust and powerful applications from scratch. While you might use jQuery to build your overall website, AngularJS gives developers the tools that they need to develop the client side of applications. As well as helping to develop more fully-featured applications, AngularJS can also make it easier for developers to keep their web projects modular and organised to avoid the repetition of code.
Advanced features such as dependency injections and two-way data binding offered by AngularJS can be perfect for helping developers to create more visually stunning and highly engaging applications that might otherwise take months of development time using jQuery and vanilla JavaScript options.
Ultimately, the decision of whether jQuery or AngularJS is best for your web development project will be one that depends on what you're trying to accomplish with your code. Interestingly, you don't necessarily have to replace one with the other or even make the two compete in your development environment. Instead, you can simply make sure that you turn to either jQuery or AngularJS depending on the things that you want to accomplish.
While jQuery is best suited for the DOM manipulation processes common in web development, AngularJS is better suited for application development. In other words, if you're looking to build strong applications, then use AngularJS. When you want to add more functionality, and manipulate DOMs, stick with jQuery.
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Greeting from Manuel Vilas
Manuel Vilas sends a greeting!
Manuel Vilas is a rare avis in the ancient music world. He studied ancient harp (XII to XVIII century) with Nuria Llopis in Madrid, and in Milan with Mara Galassi. One of the very few interpreters of the Spanish baroque cross-strung harp – a harp with two rows of strings, one of them diatonic and the other chromatic.
¡Do not miss Travelling: Terra Nostra. Here be Dragons!


text: Before jumping into the amazing Labor Day Sales happening this weekend (and believe me when I say you don't want to miss this), I first just want to mention a little contest that I have entered. Smart Set is hosting a Denim Stylist contest on Facebook, and there is a chance to win an opportunity to style their denim during a Spring 2015 photo shoot! If you could take two minutes and vote for me, I ... Read the Post


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23 September 2013, Dar es Salaam – Vodacom Tanzania and Mobisol, A Germany-based provider of solar electrification through mobile technology recently welcomed the 1,000th customer of Mobisol's solar home systems (SHS) in Tanzania with a multifarious celebration.
The programme was initiated by the company in collaboration with Kakute Limited, an Arusha-based technology awareness and distribution company, aimed to provide efficient solar energy to various homes in Tanzania.
Allan De Mello, the director of Mobisol Limited in Tanzania said 1,000 solar energy systems have been installed in homes in various suburbs in Arusha as well as Monduli, Mbuyuni, Mererani townships and few in neighbouring Kilimanjaro region.
Each system costs between Sh. 500,000 and Sh. 2.4 million, he said, noting that the programme started in 2011.. Those whose homes are fitted with the gadgets have to pay a downward payment of 10 per cent the cost of the system.
Repayment of the credit is made using their mobile phones through Vodacom's M-Pesa, which is now the most preferred payment mode in the country. M-Pesa currently has over 50,000 agents country-wide.
Speaking during the event at a Catholic Church hall in Ngarenaro neighbourhood, an official of the Arusha Regional Secretariat Mr. Lemweli C. Kileo said the government needs partnership with the private sector in solar energy development.
He commended Mobisol and other stakeholders for the initiative which, according to him, has enabled people who are not connected to the national power grid to get electricity for their domestic use.
Ms. Catherine Peter, a food vendor in Arusha, who is the 1,000th customer said she paid Sh. 129,000 before the system was installed at her home. Since then she had been remitting Sh.42,400 per month (through M-Pesa) to Mobisol.
"I'm extremely excited about owning my first solar home system. Thanks to the small monthly rates I can afford a bigger 120 Watt system. I use it to illuminate my home so my kids and grandchildren can study at night – and I am planning to start my own business charging my neighbours' mobile phones," she said.
Mobisol's customers pay off their ready-to-use solar home systems in monthly instalments via Vodacom's M-Pesa using their mobile phones and outright posses their very own electricity source after three years.
The SHS owners enjoy an extended warranty of three years for the battery and solar controller and 20 years for the PV panel.
Mobisol's comprehensive customer services include remote monitoring of the systems, free repair service, a free-of-charge customer service hotline and easy customer communication via SMS.
The director of Kakute Ltd Mr. Livinus S. Manyanga also elaborated that his firm supported creation of the platform for expansion throughout the country due to the business integrity it developed for itself with the Government authorities and renewable energy agencies throughout the years.
– Arusha Times


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From sea to delicious sea, the ocean provides some wonderful ingredients. This exotic ingredient, real squid ink, a rare ingredient used to create dramatic black pasta, is an excellent additions to the gourmet pantry. As deeply black as the ocean's fathomless depths, squid ink comes from the cuttlefish, and is a versatile ingredient that can turn rice and pasta a delicious inky color. It can take a classic paella to new inky depths, and make a risotto a dramatic black color. Real squid ink adds a very mild sea flavor, enhancing ingredients, without tasting fishy or overly salty - although it is preserved in sea salt so a little less salt is called for in recipes, if you'll be adding it.
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- Quicksand
- Then Sings My Soul
- The Ground Hog Feed
- Beautiful Brokenness
- Resting in the rain
- A journey home
- My Search For God
- Grieving
- A Fairy Tale Wedding
- My Journey Into Freedom
- Moving-- Military Style!
- The Netherlands
- My Psychotic Dog
- Lessons from Mimi
- The Crucible of Lyme Disease
- Bob's Story
- God Named Me Jane
- Song of the Barren Woman
- Lost... Found!
- The Redeeming Power of God
- It is Well with my Soul
- Breaking Through The Clouds
The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn
The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn is a New York Times Best Seller The Ancient Mystery that holds the Secret of America's Future Is it possible that before its end as a nation, there appeared in ancient Israel a series of specific omens and sign warnings of destruction--and these Nine Harbingers are now manifesting in America with profound ramifications for America's future and end-time prophecy? Hidden in the book of Isaiah, there is a mystery so precise that they foretell recent American events down to the exact days. The revelations in this book are so specific that even the most hardened skeptic will find it hard to put down. Though it sounds like a plot of a Hollywood thriller--it's real!
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
Myriads of Christians have experienced pain, loss, heartache at the hands of other believers. This compelling story offers comfort, healing and hope for these wounded ones. Probably more Christians have turned to A Tale of Three Kings, for healing, than to any other book. (One gal I know said that when she read it she thought the author knew their story which was just then unfolding!)
Birthright by David Needham. -- Christian, Do You Know Who You Are?
Who God says we are and how we respond to that knowledge is the greatest struggle of the Christian life. Needham clears away years of cluttered examinations of theology and Scripture to return us to the basics--a genuine, joyful, Holy Spirit-empowered life in Christ. The razor sharp biblical truths in Birthright will cut the shackles and throw open the doors to the glorious life God has intended for you. (I love this book. Every time I read it, something new is highlighted. )
Exquisite Agony by Gene Edwards
Here is healing for hurting and disillusioned Christians who have known the pain of betrayal at the hand of another believer. This book has brought restoration to Christians all over the world who had lost all hope. Edwards takes you to a high place to see your pain and suffering from the viewpoint of the Lord. Discover who the real author of your suffering is! (This book was very helpful to me during a time of rejection by special friends.)
Grace Walk by Steve McVey -- What you've wanted in the Christian Life.
Nothing you have ever done, nothing you could ever do, will match the incomparable joy of letting Jesus live His Life through you. It is what makes the fire of passion burn so brightly in new believers. And it is what causes the light of contentment to dance in he eyes of mature believers who have learned the secret of the Grace Walk. (I read this long ago and the contents began to change how I viewed God.)
Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham -- Making Your Christian Life Work and What to do When it Doesn't.
You've tried fixing your marriage, your kids, your job. Suddenly the light dawns. it is not your PROBLEMS that need to be fixed--its your LIFE! The good news is that God doesn't ask you to live your life for Christ, but to let Him live His life through you. With humor, candor, and "plain vanilla talk," the author Bill Gillham takes a new and enlightening look at the concept of your identity IN CHRIST. A Christian who walks in this manner is backed by God's lifetime guarantee. (This one made me laugh just before the tears as I realized what I had been missing.
Sidetracked in the Wilderness by Michael Wells
This book will help you get on the road to a consistent Christian walk. Beginning with "Lost and Found and Lost Again," the author guides you back to simplicity of faith by setting forth principles and promises of the Gospels. In this hope-filled, inspiring book, Wells also writes candidly of his own struggles and tells how he "regained the lost simplicity of faith and repossessed the joy that is mine in Christ." Go to the web site and peruse the available materials. All good!
Ten Life Choices by Bob Perdue
Recovering the Life you were always meant to live! Ten Life Choices is an invitation to LIFE. Life was God's first gift to mankind when, in the Garden of Eden, He "breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul." Right after man received this wonderful gift, he was given the gift of choice. He could choose life everyday. Sin brought death and the inability to choose life, but Jesus came to give that life again--the eternal life now. The life that Jesus offers begins the day we choose to put our faith in Him. Everyday, we have the opportunity to choose life, to experience and celebrate life to the fullest! Ten Life Choices highlights specific choices that we can make in order to fully experience life now. (website below for ordering.)
The Pressure's Off by Larry Crabb
Weary, can't get it right? Struggling to make life work? There's a new way to live. (this was the first breath of fresh air for me as I found myself drowning in "oughts.")
The Prisoner in the Third Cell by Gene Edwards
This is a book of comfort, told as an unforgettable drama, for those caught up in circumstances of life they do not understand. In this drama, John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod and awaiting death, struggles to understand the Lord who did not live up to his expectations. (When I read this little book I realized that I was offended by God.)
The Cry of the Soul by Allender and Longman III -- How our Emotions Reveal our Deepest Questions about God.
So often we find ourselves caught between extremes. Either we feel too much or not at all. We tend to ignore our feelings or fight them off as if they were an enemy. But all emotions--whether positive or negative--can give us a glimpse of the true nature of God. We want to control our negative emotions and dark desires. God wants us to recognize them as the cry of our soul to be made right with Him.
To Be Told by Dan B. Allender -- God Invites You to Coauthor Your Future
God wants to reveal himself through your story. Everyone wants clearer guidance from God on what to do with their future. In this insightful book, Allender shows that as people listen to the stories of their life, they identify the themes that God has written there. They begin to understand both the hope and the heartache, and they receive specific guidance for the future that fits who they are. (this book has been amazingly helpful in writing my stories and sharing them. It has played a major part in my finding my direction for this time in my life: a web site)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990's, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. If you like this one, there are many more you can dive into.
The Last Storyteller by Diane Noble
Noble interweaves a medieval adventure with the dilemma of a contemporary romance. The Last Storyteller draws ancient grace into modern lives through the powerful medium of story telling.
The Musician's Quest by George McDonald. (Michael R. Phillips, editor)
This fictional story is actually a depiction of the early life of McDonald and he brings the reader into the story from the very beginning with his vivid descriptions. "Robert Falconer was being molded on the Potter's wheel of life. But could even the Master Potter Himself form Robert's tragic loss into something without destroying the fragile vessel?"
Tales of the Kingdom by David and karen Mains--written for children.
This two book series is about a Kingdom where love rules. It is open to ALL HUNTERS who live in The Enchanted City and want to escape out of the clutches of the Enchanter and his Burners; out of darkness into the light. (These books were read aloud yearly as our children were growing up.)
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis--written for children
Beginning with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and ending with The Last Battle, Lewis mixes fantasy and adventure with timeless truths into these seven books. Yes, many of the books in this series have been made into movies but the books themselves trigger the imagination and refresh the heart. Great for reading aloud to younger children who will enjoy reading them later for themselves. (I have heard of adults who relish the stories and reread them!)
The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie by George McDonald
This duo and other children's books by McDonald, bring home qualities of goodness and love which make these stories invaluable lessons for children and adults of all ages. He does this in such a winsome way. CS Lewis said of McDonald: "I regard him as my master." (We have worn out these paperbacks.)
Grieving Forward by Susan Duke -- Embracing Life Beyond Loss.
Susan is a Mom whose first born son, her only son, was suddenly killed in an automobile accident. In the book she describes her raging emotions, the shock and disbelief when the doctor came and said, "I'm so sorry but we couldn't save your son." Susan was under the impression that his only injury was a broken leg. This son of hers was 18 and loved life; a real joy to her. Susan takes her readers through the first few weeks describing in detail, the physical and emotional impact of her sudden loss. She then introduces us to the long journey through grief and anger to the point where her needs became a springboard that has brought hope to many grieving Moms. None of it was easy.
A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser -- How The Soul Grows Through Loss.
Jerry, a son, husband and father, loses his mother, wife and four year old daughter in a head on automobile crash. Two small sons and a daughter survive the crash in fairly good shape. Three generations of women gone in the blink of an eye. Jerry is transparent as he shares his difficult journey through dark days of anger and deep depression while at the same time caring for his three grief stricken children and working to pay the bills.
"The experience of loss does not have to be the defining moment of our lives," writes Jerry Sittser, "Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss. It is not what happens to us that matters so much as what happens in us."
Bonnhoeffer by Eric Metaxas -- A life well lived.
At the appointed hour, the old couple turned on their radio. Soon enough the funeral service was announced for their son. That was how they came to know of his death. The man who died was a pastor and a theologian; he was their beloved son. And he was executed for his role in the plot to assassinate Hitler. This is his story.
Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis--The Shape of My Early Life.
This is a remarkably frank and beguiling account of conversion. Lewis was a scholar long before God marched into his life and so his conversion was remarkable. His books, fantasy as well as nonfiction, are always thought provoking. He also wrote Mere Christianity and The Screwtape letters. His books are considered Classics.
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom--an autobiography worth reading more than once!
The author was in her fifties and living in Holland when suddenly her house was broken into, ransacked and the family taken by the Nazis. Corrie was imprisoned in Holland where her Dad died after ten days. Then she and her sister, Betsie, were transported into Germany and imprisoned in Ravens-brook, the concentration camp where her sister died and from which Corrie was liberated. The family had provided a hiding place for the Jews during the war and it cost them everything. (We have visited the Watch Shop and the house where they lived and were simply amazed at how tiny everything was including the little room where the Jews hid after the family was captured.)
The Five Silent Years of Corrie Ten Boom by Pamela Rosewell--Corrie was not just a prisoner once, but twice!
The British Author was also a companion for Corrie Ten Boom at the end of her life. Not only is this the story of the suffering Corrie endured but also what God did IN this companion through caring for another. At the age of 85 Corrie suffered a stroke--and never regained her speech. But the ministry that had touched millions grew as Corrie communicated through her eyes, through elaborate guessing games with those around her, through silent intercession for people God brought to mind. For those five silent years of imprisonment, Corrie's spiritual depth offered mute testimony to her ongoing trust in her heavenly Father.
Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray
Every eager Christian aspires to enter into a successful, intimate relationship with his Lord. Yet, it seems impossible at times. The serge of emotional fervor that often buoys up a believer as he leaves a spirit filled service, just as often leaves him frustrated and defeated a few days later. Murray deals with these hidden aspirations and offers guidance into the path of victory. He explains in clear simple terms what is involved in absolute surrender. He speaks of the causes of frustration and the ways of defeat. Murray calls attention to self as the great curse, and among other topics, discusses the Holy Spirit and the keeping power of God.
The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee
Abbreviated from the preface to the third edition and written by Angus I. Kinnear in 1961: "From the day in 1920 when, as a college student, he found the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior during the visit of a chinese evangelist to his native city, Foochow, Nee gave himself without reserve to God for work among his own people. Over the years he became widely known in China as a gifted preacher of the Gospel and an original expositor of the Word, whose ministry bore remarkable fruit in individuals and in many groups of spiritually virile Christians. This book sets forth something of his personal understanding of the Christian life toward the end of those first few years of unrestricted service for his Lord. Many have testified to the transformation this book has wrought in their lives through new discoveries of the greatness of Christ and His finished work on the cross. it is to be approached not as an intellectual exercise but as a message to the heart." Nee was imprisoned from 1952-1972.
Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray was born to Missionary parents in South Africa in 1828, received a theological degree in Utrecht Holland and afterward spent over 45 years in fruitful ministry. His main teaching was how to abide in Christ. He touched many hearts then; he touches many hearts today.
The God of All Comfort by Hannah Whitall Smith
For those who have a distant and uncaring God, this book is like water to a thirsty soul. She brings God into every situation and shows how we can receive from a God who is there; a God who cares. Her writing flows out of intense personal pain.
Ultimate Intention by DeVern Fromke
He looks at our lives from the perspective of God the Father rather than from man's perspective: "The cross has not wrought its deepest work until we move beyond interpreting what Christ did "for us" and begin to see what it realized "for God." ( I read this book for the first time 45 years ago and could not comprehend his message. I came back to it last fall and found it to be very thought provoking.)
All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible by Herbert Lockyer
Herbert Lockyer was born in 1886 and died in 1984. It appears that he spent most of his life looking at the Names of God and has done an excellent job. He writes in a different age so that some of his phraseology is somewhat stilted but even so, this is one of my most used reference books.
His Victorious Indwelling edited by Nick Harrison -- Daily Devotions for a Deeper Christian Life.
Have you grasped the remarkable heritage that is yours in Christ? Through the years, certain Christians have stood out for their deep insight into the riches we possess in Christ. Oswald Chambers, AW Tozer, Hannah Whittal Smith, DL Moody, E.M. Bounds, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley and others. These and dozens of others will help you discover the power, liberty and joy that flow from "Christ in us."
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers.
Praise. It leads you into God's awesome presence, into the delight of His Word, into the sure knowledge of His great love for you. If you long to experience God in a fresh, deep way, you'll treasure this personal praise guide.
The Satisfied Heart by Ruth Myers.
31 days of experiencing God's love. "The heart that has tasted God's love," the author declares, "will always turn back to Him with longing and say, 'Only Your love can meet my deepest needs.'"
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers-- is the most popular book of daily devotions ever published.
Millions of copies of this Christian classic are read everyday by Christians all over the world. Richard C. Halverson, former Chaplain of the United States Senate, says of this book: "No book except the Bible has influenced my walk with Christ at such deep and maturing levels."
Waiting on God by Andrew Murray
A months worth of daily readings with a common theme--"my soul, wait thou only on God." (Ps 62:5) These meditations were born out of a burning conviction that Christians should know God better. (I wore out this book as I read it over and over. It is a classic.)
365 Days of Life by Bob Perdue
Devotional challenge to choose life--everyday!
For Ordering Books
www.seedsowers.com--for books by Gene Edwards
www.surefoundation.com--for books by DeVern Fromke
Web sites which may be of help to you:


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You know me well by now. We're friends right? So if cake or chocolate are mentioned in a sentence I'm there. With bells on. Well with anything on I'm that in love. So the Summer menu at Koko Black was released on Monday and I thought "cake and chocolate for breakfast?". Why not. Just please don't tell my mum. She had to pay my last dentist bill. And I'm 35.
So first up Hazelnut cluster. A brownie (oh now you're interested) with a chewy chocolate centre and Gianduja cremeux. (Caramel and gooey stuff in there to you and me). Hazelnuts on the top covered in chocolate (my favourite nut this week. How fitting) The caramel was so delicious I wanted to cover myself in it. But I won't I'm a professional.
The pasty chef Elizabeth Davis and myself are long term friends now (well I sit outside her office and drool) and she was rather impressed when she noticed I'd got through a good portion of the dish. Give me a challenge and I won't disappoint. See mum, I told you you could be proud of me.
Next up, Raspberry Spectacular. Coconut crumble (kerching and Healthy- kind of), Vanilla ice-cream and raspberry coulee. Refreshing and because it was crumble it felt homely and comforting. I'm missing my family at the minute so comforting needed finishing.
It was barely 11 am when I left totally impressed as always and and no need for lunch.
Who needs salad?


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V2V Critix to VMWare CentOS 6
As I was trying to convert using VMware convertor from Critix to VMWare guest OS which is using CentOS 6, I bump into a difficult problem which took me at least 24 hours trying to resolve it.
The system fails to boot up and when grub is modified to show the output text of the console, it always hang after "Probing EDD (edd=off to disable)"
This include trying to following task
1) rebuild initramfs
2) downgrade lvm2 version (this fails as one of the rpm depends on latest lvm2 to work)
3) reinstall grub
4) performing a V2V using Acronis
5) removing xe-guest tools
This solutions works for me. I have to remove the following line from the GRUB boot loader for it to work.
The above line is meant for Xen Console thus VMWare does not have such feature
I do really hope this helps someone out there as I have spend alot of time troubleshooting it.


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Let me start by admitting that I did not plan for this one. Aldi had a sale on mangoes last week, so I violated grocery shopping rule #1 (STICK TO THE LIST!) and put one in the cart. I had no idea what I'd do with it, but 69-cent mangoes are not to be passed up.
Not only did I go off-list at the grocery store, but I also slacked off on the meal planning for the week. I put the
fun important things down (dinner with friends Monday night and tacos with friends on Friday night), but that left me with three dinner-less days, and man cannot (or should not) live on Christmas cookies alone. (Not that we aren't giving it our best shot… 😉 ) And then Andy went on a last-minute work trip, which kind of killed the meal-planning motivation. I would just scrounge up something with what was in the house.
Hmm. One mango. Roughly half of a head of Napa cabbage from our last CSA share (Don't be grossed out by that. I promise it was still good. Those produce saver bags are AMAZING.) Limes. Onions. Hmm.
Smitten Kitchen to the rescue again! This slaw was incredibly addicting. It was sweet (from the mango), sour (from the lime) and spicy (not sure if it was the red pepper flakes or my red onion) all at the same time. I subbed green pepper for the red pepper (because that's what I had in the fridge). I didn't have mint or cashews, so I toasted some almonds and chopped up some cilantro instead.
I was going to cook some shrimp to go with it, but, as I said before, my motivation was dwindling. Plus, I was kind of going to town on the slaw, so I decided to make a meal out of just that. And then I ate the rest for lunch the next day. Like I said, addicting. Good thing Andy was gone so I didn't have to share. 😉
Cabbage & Mango Slaw
1 pound of Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
1-2 mangoes, thinly sliced (Deb's recipe calls for 2 mangoes. I only had one on hand, but I would definitely go for 2. More mango is never a bad thing.)
1/2 green pepper, thinly sliced
1/3 of a large red onion, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
handful of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Combine the cabbage, mangoes, green pepper and red onion in a large bowl.
Whisk the lime juice, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt and oil together in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and add the cilantro to the bowl. Toss the salad a few times to make sure the dressing is well-distributed.
Just before serving, sprinkle with the toasted almonds.
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Click here for a printable version.


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Corroborating our earlier reports, Rovio has said Angry Birds will come to Windows Phone … eventually.
Speaking to Reuters Rovio Chief Executive Mikael Hed said:
"We are working towards getting Angry Birds Space to WP7," but confirmed a launch date had not been set yet.
Rovio had complained that porting the game to Windows Phone would require too much work in relation to the market share to make it immediately worthwhile. This was interpreted by many that it would never come to Windows Phone, but we had earlier reported that Saara, the social marketing manager at Rovio had said Rovio was working "day and night†on Angry Birds Space for "relevant devicesâ€, implying it would come eventually.
The Angry Birds brouhaha has been interpreted by some as a major blow to Nokia's Lumia strategy.
Thanks Michel for the tip.


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Second Straight Fast Track Award for VoIP Supply in 2014
We're proud to announce that we were just named one of Western New York's (WNY) fastest growing companies in 2014.
VoIP Supply received the Fast Track Award which honors privately held businesses in WNY that have strong sales growth.
This is the second straight year and fourth time in the company's 12 year history that we've earned this distinction.
Fast Track Award for Strong Revenue Growth
Buffalo Business First newspaper held their annual Fast Track Companies award reception on June 25, 2014 where the were revealed.
VoIP Supply, with 7.68% sales revenue growth from 2011 to 2013, ranked 43rd out of 48 long-established companies.
VoIP Supply's CEO, Ben Sayers, is proud that his company made the list again as a Certified B Corporation that is currently involved in a yearlong volunteer campaign, VoIP Supply's "Year of Giving," to give back to the community and help a different charity every month.
VoIP Supply is a sustainable business with the mission to "Do well so that we can do good for others," says Sayers.
With a focus on conscious capitalism, Sayers says that, "It is our hope that our actions will be an example to other businesses in the area, showing that a company can continue to grow even while putting people ahead of profits."


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Police in Arizona: Girl left in car for hours dies
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Police in southern Arizona say a 7-month-old girl died this week after being left in a car for up to eight hours before her father noticed her unconscious in the backseat.
Tucson police have identified the baby as Isabel Ledo Herrera but say they are withholding some information as the investigation continues. No arrests have been made.
Sgt. Chris Widmer says detectives confirmed that the father was driving his vehicle and that he didn't know anyone else was in it. Widmer says the father immediately called 911 when he noticed his daughter.
Authorities received a 911 call at 5:19 p.m. Wednesday. The girl died at a hospital after firefighters found her unresponsive.
Widmer says preliminary information indicates the child was in the car for as long as eight hours.


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Mary Louise Davie is the author of Target Earth, You Only see What You Want To, and WWBB has interviewed about her writing in general. Why not read on to discover more and check out her book. It's a cracker!
WWBB: How many unpublished books/stories do you have lurking under your bed?
Mary: On a shelf in my office I have several completed manuscripts from before I even tried to be published. I used to write a different genre – detective type. I think there are about 8-9 but I have an even bigger collection of incomplete ones from recent time as I will have gotten a call from my publisher to continue the series either the Sanacion series or currently I had to stop what I was working on to begin a sequel to Target Earth. Bonus is the book I was writing had some science that I had spent a lot of time researching and developing a theory to go with it and now I don't have to scrap it completely as it has become totally relevant.
WWBB: How do your juggle a writing schedule?
Mary: It is tough as I also have a new production company and have to tape and I do most of the editing as well, so right now it is difficult. BUT normally I like to write from 7am to 2pm as many days as I can! (I'm a morning person.) I have had weekends that I have literally written in excess of 60,000 words, but I don't place any limits on myself or expect that kind of amount every day. It more depends on how 'in the zone' I am!
WWBB: Why did you write Target Earth?
Mary: Target Earth: You Only See What You Want was at first a conversation, a question that I decided to explore. It was a 'what if' that gained circumstances and details. I really started with the future and how would aliens be received. Then got down into the particulars and fell in love with the characters – especially Danny and Ishmael!
WWBB: What is it about? Genre, theme, essence etc.
Mary: Target Earth: You Only See What You Want To is a science fiction novel that takes you to the 2300s where things are how you would imagine based on today's technology: A two class society with cars that drive themselves and, at times, fly.
But there are other things that are predictable too! The nature of politics is what you would expect and how they respond to aliens landing in the Rose Garden of the White House – thrilled at what they may get as far as technology. But once they find out the aliens are here for our technology it becomes a bit different. But why are the aliens really here? It may just turn out the enemy within is far worse than the enemy we perceive!
WWBB: If your main character was a real person, how'd they perceive you?
I hope he (or she – depends which one!) would like me. I can tell you I like all of them tremendously. I would definitely love to hang out and chat with any one of them though particularly Danny and Christian. Ishmael and Rudy (the aliens) would be cool to talk to also. Ishmael is the more scientific of them so we might have a really cool conversation involving science on his world – if he would give me real answers!
It's a new day on Earth in the twenty-third century, and an awestruck public is witnessing the stunning arrival of what looks like a lunar lander in Washington, D.C.
Called in for their scientific and linguistic expertise, husband and wife team Danny and Chris Marama wait eagerly to meet the alien visitors, whose spacecraft now rests in the American president's Rose Garden.
When two space-suited beings emerge, they surprise exolinguist Danny by speaking English, among other languages, as they disclose their agenda: to explore Earth's technology and return to their home planet with it.
Accompanying them is a prestigious assignment Danny is only too happy to take on. What she doesn't discover until later is their secret agenda, much more sinister and life-changing for Danny, Chris, and the entire human race.
And both Danny and Chris must choose: loyalty to Earth, whose leaders may be targeting their own people for death, or to the alien race—and life.
Mary Louise Davie earned her chemistry degree and worked as a chemist for a year before realizing she wasn't likely to be the research scientist she wanted to be. She quit her job and began following the path of IT. In addition she loved reading non-fiction about anything science in particular. She had subscriptions to all the top science magazines and if a topic caught her eye, she would investigate, even run the numbers to prove her own theories. In fact if it weren't for her disagreeing so much with a particular theory she read her novel Sanacion: The Black Hole Mission might not even exist.
Frequently compared to writers such as Ray Bradbury or Orson Scott Card, and some of Arthur C. Clarke's earlier works, Mary Louise takes an interesting trip, never really having an enemy, instead having those who are only acting in self-defense, in defense of their world, in defense of mankind or perhaps in defense of alien-kind. Mary Louise asks the question what if and then follows it to its rightful conclusion.


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You can instantly increase the value of your home by upgrading your old garage door. While homeowners often jump at the chance to makeover their kitchens and bathrooms, many are quick to forget one of the most important aspects of the home: curb appeal. Replacing your garage door gives the front of your home a facelift. Additionally, new garage doors can offer up to a 98 percent return on investment.
How Garages Impact the Look of a House
Maximizing your garage door curb appeal can be tricky. The garage encompasses one-third of your front yard curb appeal, so it's important that the door you choose creates balance, enhances aesthetic contrast and restores charm to your home's exterior. Each of these can be achieved by selecting a garage door material and design that accentuates the front of your home. With additional lighting techniques and a little accessorizing, a garage door makeover can supercharge your curb appeal.
Garage Door Damage Minimizes Curb Appeal
The expert technicians at Stapley Action Garage Door understand that you want to make the most out of your investment. Unfortunately, ignoring certain warning signs can turn a repairable problem into a costly breakdown. It's likely that all garage doors will incur minor damage throughout their lifespan and lower the curb appeal of the house. To help protect your home's value, we offer these helpful tips on assessing physical damage:
- Small dents and scratches: Though small dents and scratches can be annoying eyesores, larger blemishes can be a cause for serious concern. Rust can enter into deep scratches, eventually making the garage door prone to breaking. Tend to all scratches as soon as possible to restore the beauty of your garage door.
- Large dents: Sizeable dents can also affect the long-term integrity of your garage door system. Any trauma can cause the door to become off-balanced and place excessive pressure on the tracks. Eventually, this will lead to a costly breakdown.
- Warps in wood: For owners of wooden garage doors, be mindful of warps or cracks that may appear. Over time, these imperfections will permanently alter the structure of the door, requiring a full replacement.
Should You Replace a Garage Door System by Yourself?
We do not recommend that you attempt to fix or replace your garage door and system on your own. There are a number of dangers associated with do-it-yourself garage door repairs that can lead to serious injury and cause permanent damage. Each garage door is unique, requiring specific parts and tools to responsibly fix problems that arise. Any time you attempt to take apart your garage system, you risk serious injury or death from a falling door or broken torsion springs.
It's vital that your garage door installation is completed by trained professionals offering a warranty on parts and service. Instead of choosing "cheap" DIY solutions that may cause irreparable damage, rely on the knowledge and experience of trained professionals. Stapley Action Garage Door's team of garage door specialists will provide you with affordable and reliable garage door parts, installation and service.
Selecting Garage Door Material
If you've decided to replace your worn-out garage door, it's time to choose the material that's best for your unique needs. Before deciding on the design and appearance of the door, it's important to determine which material will offer you the most long-term benefits. Garage doors in Mesa need to endure seasonal variations in weather throughout the year, which range from mild wind and rain to sweltering three-digit temperatures.
First, consider three of the most common garage door materials used: steel, wood and aluminum.
There's a reason steel garage doors became a popular option for homeowners. Arguably the ideal material to construct garage doors from, steel provides extended durability. Unlike wood, steel will not rot or warp. Though these doors are subject to damage and corrosion, the limited precipitation Mesa receives makes a steel garage door an attractive option for long-term, low-maintenance reliability.
There are over a dozen factory finishes available for steel garage doors, including wood-look finishes. With a variety of panel designs, textures and paint colors, a steel garage door accents both modern and contemporary home styles.
Durability, customization and visual appeal have made wood garage doors a popular choice for homeowners. Offering unlimited design possibilities, a variety of woods can be stained or painted during production or finished onsite. Raised, recessed and flush panel natural wood garage doors will dramatically enhance your curb appeal. If you want your garage door to match your front door, wood can make it happen.
While wood offers a classic look, aluminum garage doors provide modern curb appeal. Make a bold statement with painting and glazing options. Increase the uniqueness of your aluminum garage doors by adding clear, tinted or translucent glass panels. Though glass and aluminum are susceptible to scratches and dents, these stylish doors will stand out from every other home on the block.
Synthetic Garage Door Materials
To lower their maintenance costs, some homeowners are choosing to forego the traditional garage door materials for the benefits in appearance and performance synthetic materials offer. Along with our wonderful selection of wood, steel and aluminum garage doors, we also offer collections of fine composite and synthetically made doors.
Wood Composite
Would you like the look of a wood garage door without the maintenance? If so, a composite garage door may be right for your home. Unlike real wood, composite wood will not warp or require touch-up painting. The composite is also stronger and more affordable than solid wood garage doors.
As a reasonable alternative to steel, fiberglass garage doors are steel doors that are sealed with a fiberglass coating. Fiberglass doors are available in faux wood designs, giving you the appearance of wood with the increased durability of steel. Lightweight fiberglass doors require limited maintenance, and their environmental-resistant properties allow them to retain their appearance for years.
Before considering a traditional material like wood or steel, consider the many advantages of a vinyl garage door. Although it may not have the sheer durability of steel, vinyl makes up for it in endurance. This material is more resistant to dents and scratches. While steel may rust and wood may rot, vinyl will endure. Its ability to withstand everyday wear and tear makes maintaining your vinyl garage door effortless.
If you're looking for a lightweight garage door that will add a subtle touch of style, vinyl is a great choice. Typically, vinyl doors retain their color throughout the entire thickness of the door, making damage harder to notice. Though the appearance of a vinyl door is impressive, it cannot be refinished like steel or wood.
Deciding on a Design
Along with a reliable material, the garage door you choose needs to match or complement the look of your home. When selecting a new garage door, one of the top priorities for homeowners is appearance. Since this part of your home directly impacts your front yard curb appeal, it's important that the design of the door complements your exterior. For example, a clean-lined modern home should feature a simple garage door design to highlight a streamlined aesthetic.
Let's look at three popular garage door styles:
- Traditional: Traditional garage doors feature multiple panel designs that add a classic look to your home. Standard short and long raised panels will add depth to the door. Flush panels are flat with a slight texture that subtly complements the overall appearance of the home without drawing significant attention to the garage itself.
- Contemporary: For clean and functional garage door curb appeal, choose a contemporary design. These doors are ideal for owners of modern homes that want to stray from the traditional panel doors.
- Carriage-house: Carriage house doors are both charming and practical, combining a rustic appearance with modern convenience. Though original carriage house doors were made of wood, they are now made from a variety of materials and can be customized to your desire. These unique garage doors are perfect for enhancing your front yard curb appeal in an elaborate yet trendy way.
The best way to determine which design will look best on your house is to see it in place. Clopay's garage door design tool allows you to see how different garage door designs will look against your home. Take a look at these other great garage door design ideas, and let one of Stapley Action Garage Door's friendly associates show you our fantastic range of residential garage door styles.
A Touch of Style
Instead of viewing the garage as a space separate from the home, embrace it as a focal point. One of the best ways to dramatically increase your curb appeal is to skillfully blend your garage in with the rest of the home's aesthetic. With a little attention to the details around the exterior, you can give your garage doors a makeover that will make your home the talk of the block. Remember the following tips for help along the way:
- A little paint can go a long way: Painting your garage door to match the color of your siding, or leaving it white, is recommended. However, you can also unify your exterior color scheme by painting your garage door the same color as your front door.
- Landscaping is a great addition: If you'd like to reduce your garage's negative impact on your curb appeal, landscaping will help. Line the walls of your garage with plants that soften the edges. Surround the walkways around the garage with midsize shrubs and flowers, or illuminate them with landscape lighting.
- Balancing your design doesn't take much: Give your garage a subtle cosmetic boost by purchasing small items that will balance your design. Additions like tasteful door handles, molding detail around the garage and new house numbers will lend extra elegance to your new door.
- Not all garage door accessories need to be permanent: Adorn your garage door with outdoor lights, trimmings and other festive decorations. No matter how modest or extravagant your ideas may be, your garage door is the perfect platform to spruce up for any season.
Adding Windows
Adding windows can increase the curb appeal of your garage door. They can be coordinated with the existing exterior windows and make the garage feel like an extension of — not an addition to — the home. You can also customize the windows by using tempered or insulated glass and experimenting with various shapes and sizes.
Natural light is always an advantage, even in your garage. Windows are ideal for those who use their garages for more than parking. Utilizing windows will help cut down on the wear and tear incurred by your garage door, sparing you from excessively opening and closing it every time you need extra light.
As with any renovation, there are potential drawbacks to selecting a garage door with windows. Glass is susceptible to damage, which may create a future repair cost. Windows are less energy efficient as well, which may be a disadvantage if you use your garage for storage or as a workspace. Windows also allow others a view into your garage, decreasing your privacy.
Still undecided on whether or not your garage doors need windows? The expert designers at Stapley Action Garage Door are here to help. Browse one of our modern collections and see if windows fit into your garage door design ideas.
Exterior Lighting Techniques
Now that you've turned your garage door design ideas into a reality, it's time to shine a spotlight on your new and improved front yard curb appeal. Exterior lighting enhances your home's appearance and ensures your curb appeal isn't lost in the night. One way to set the tone for your home is to add lighting to the soffits above your garage doors so that the doors are always on display.
Whether you use solar and floodlights or recessed and wall-mounted lighting, there are plenty of lighting techniques that can give your garage doors added curb appeal. Attractive lights can double as décor that complement the exterior. Alternatively, you can hide lighting within your landscape or soffits to illuminate the area without distractive fixtures.
Lighting placement is also key. External garage lights can also increase safety and security around the home if placed correctly. When planning your design, consider how the lights will showcase the garage area while providing maximum visibility for you and your family.
Garage Doors Create Enduring Curb Appeal
Let's face it: Front yard curb appeal matters. Unfortunately, an outdated garage can negatively impact your exterior appearance and turn away future buyers. If you believe it's time to replace your old garage door, the service experts at Stapley Action Garage Door would be happy to assist you.
Taking a step-by-step approach to choosing the right garage door for your home begins with selecting the material that suits your needs. While materials like steel, wood and aluminum are tried-and-true choices that homeowners have trusted for years, there are other materials available that may cater to your specific needs. Arizona residents shopping for new garage doors should speak with a professional to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each material.
After selecting a material and design, you should consider maximizing your garage door curb appeal with other stylish features. Updating hardware, installing exterior lighting, maintaining the landscape and removing eyesores from around the garage can greatly bolster curb appeal. The moment you step back and marvel at the finished product, you'll be glad you trusted Stapley to help complete your vision.
The Stapley Action Advantage
Take your garage door curb appeal to the next level. Stapley Action Garage Door knows how important your front yard curb appeal is. Allow our garage door technicians to enhance the beauty of your home with one of the amazing garage doors in our collection. For over 30 years, we've been providing homeowners throughout the Phoenix area with high-quality garage doors.
Visit our website to find out more about our products and to learn helpful tips on responsibly maintaining your garage doors. Our satisfied customers will agree: Stapley Action Garage Door has the perfect selection of garage doors that will boost the curb appeal of any home.
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