Ann Walker's
compliments of
Ann Walker 573-374-1331 路 888-525-3289 www.ann-walker.com annwalker@lakebuy.com
Laurie, MO 65038
As I look out my window this morning and see patches of snow, I wonder how far off spring can be. Our trees are waiting for the warm temps and more sun to start budding and the other signs of spring seems to be on hold also. The one thing that is on the move is our lake area home market. The activity has increased in the last month as buyers are looking toward to summer and wanting to have their purchase complete and ready for the season. Inventory is slightly down from last year at this time. Although property sold is up 15 percent, prices are still down about 3 percent. But as inventory continues to drop, home prices will begin to climb. Local lenders are still lending to qualified buyers and rates are at all time lows. If you are considering a home for retirement or a vacation home, give me a call. The lake is a wonderful place to live.
compliments of
Ann Walker 573-374-1331 路 888-525-3289
Visit My Site Email Me
Laurie, MO 65038
Welcome Home! Table of Contents Recipe And Design
4
A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.
Halloween Traditions Around The World
5
So how did this annual scare-fest get it’s start?
6-7
The Amazing History of Candles Wax works have been around longer than you think!
In The Kitchen. Get a little ghoulish with tasty Eyeball Cupcakes.
Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not intended to solicit other brokersʼ listings. If you are currently working with another broker, please disregard this information.
8
Health and Wellness. Fiber, does a digestive system good. 9
10 - 11 Seven Tips To Green Your Halloween Have all of your frightening fun, while helping the planet. 12 - 15
Who’s Afraid of a Haunted House? What is there to fear, really?
16 - 17
Why Does a Witch Dress Like A Witch? Is black the new evil?
18 - 19
Top Ten Autumn Foods Good for you, fabulous fall foods.
20 - 21 Products To Love! Hot trends, technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more! 22 -23 City Spotlight New York, NY - Discover Autumn in the Big Apple! 24 DYI Project - October Check out this super cool DIY - Glow Stick Lanterns! 25
Businesses That Make A Difference Nestle, making a tasty difference in the world.
All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu or bing.com unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for Random Fact information and aid.
Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/ or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose lies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.
Recipe and Design Candy Brownies
Ingredients • •
•
Brownies (baked according to directions) Chopped and/or mini candies, such as peanut butter cups, malted milk balls, and chocolatecovered caramels, candy bars or candy of really any size and shape so long as chocolate is involved. Pretzel pieces
Preparation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
Bake your favorite brownies. Top immediately with chopped and mini candies. Add some pretzel pieces--you'll love the salty-sweet touch. Bake 5 more minutes or just until candy melts a bit. Wait a few minutes (if you can resist the chocolaty, salty/sweet goodness calling to you) for the brownies to cool; slice into pieces. Enjoy!
Feathered Halloween Wreaths
What You Need: • Large styrofoam or wood wreath forms • Black feather boas • Hot glue gun • Silver ribbon • Newspaper • loose black feathers (optional) Instructions: 1. Take the wreath forms and boas and place them on the newspaper to keep your work surface clean. 2. Carefully wrap and glue the boas in place around the wreath forms. 3. Be sure to check for uncovered spots (optional) and fill them in with the loose feathers. 4. After completely wrapping the wreath let cool. 5. Cut the desired length of silver ribbon and tie in a bow with long trailing ends. 6. Attach bow to wreath with hot glue.
Southern Living OCTOBER 2012
7. Hang and enjoy! Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com
Halloween Traditions Around The World
Was Halloween originally a pagan or a Christian holiday? Like the celebration of Christmas day, originally Halloween was a pagan festival rather than a Christian holiday. It was only around 10th century that the Roman Catholic Church established this holy day. This was initiated for purifying the spirits of the dead. What is the origin of trick-or-treating? Trick-or-treating, a major Halloween tradition, is related to the "soul cake day" of Christian people, with a belief that the treat pacifies a mischievous spirit. Formerly, children who were trick-or-treating would vandalize houses that did not give them treats. They roamed around the neighborhood soliciting candy or other kinds of treats. This was became popular up to the 20th century. It was in the year 1970 that the trick-or-treating tradition started to wane because of several rumors that some households were handing out harmful or poisonous treats to children. Today many parents accompany their children while trick-or-treating or organize private Halloween parties. Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31st? Halloween is celebrated on October 31st because the Celtic people believed that it is the end of "season of the sun" and the start of "season of darkness and cold" due to winter. They believe that it is the time when evil spirits are most likely to roam the earth. Is Halloween celebrated on the same day around the world? No. Halloween in some parts of the world may not even occur on October 31st. A number of countries celebrate Halloween on November 1 or 2. Other prefers to celebrate it at some other time, mostly during the fall or summer season. What countries celebrate Halloween? Halloween is one of the oldest traditions and is celebrated around the globe. While many countries commemorate Halloween it is in North America and Canada where Halloween is most popular. Other countries that join in the celebration are Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and Sweden. How did Halloween get started in the U.S.? The first-ever recorded Halloween celebration in the United States occurred in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1921. That was the start of trick-or-treat, Halloween costume parties, and a series of activities depicting the essence of the celebration. Why do we carve pumpkins for Halloween? Carving of pumpkins is descended from earliest Irish tradition. Originally a turnip was used instead of a pumpkin. According to some stories, it was believed to ward off evil spirits. When the Irish people began to immigrate to America, they realized that carved pumpkins were more realistic than turnips, as well as easier to carve. Written by Matt Larsen . Article courtesy of Isnare.com.
Written by Hanson Landgren . Article courtesy of Isnare.com.
The Amazing History of Candles The history of candles is a long and interesting one. We have been using them for light for many centuries. Over that time candles have been made out of various substances. Some of these were better than others. Let's look further into this history to see what we find. No one knows when the very first candle was lit for sure. But the first people to make certain advances with something that could be called a forerunner to the candle were the ancient Egyptians. It was basically a reed soaked in the fat from
animals. It was known as a rushlight and got lit on the end. The Romans have the distinction of discovering the candle with a wick. All of the early candles were made from tallow which is another name for animal fat. The good thing about tallow is it was cheap; the bad thing was that it produced smoke when it burned, and did not smell very good at all. Then advancement was made in the history of candles, namely beeswax. It was found that beeswax could be melted and made into candles during the
Middle Ages. This type of wax burned clean and had no foul odor. The main problem with the beeswax was that it was expensive, so only the wealthy could afford to use candles made from it. The poorer folks still had to use the tallow candles. Candle makers kept searching for better substances to make candles out of. During colonial times in America they discovered that the berries from the bayberry plant could be used to make a wax. The berries were boiled to make a wax that had a sweet scent. This did away with
the odor and the smoking problems seen in tallow. But there was so much labor involved in making this wax that the process did not become popular. Then during the 18th century another significant advancement was made in candle making. It was found that a wax could be made using whale oil that came from the whale's head. The wax was oily but with a hard consistency. There was no odor or taste to it. Candles could now be mad for the masses at prices they could afford. They burned
well with no odor to them. Whales starting being over used though, but by this time petroleum had been discovered for a source of lighting. During the 19th century the industrialization period came along which helped modernize many areas of life. Improvements were also made in candle making during this time. Paraffin wax was discovered and it was a great quality wax which machines could shape into candles. This made them extremely affordable for the public.
Then the candle making became not as important when the electric light bulb was invented in 1879. Then the history of candles enjoyed resurgence at the change of the centuries. Today the history of candles goes on with hobbyists enjoying the candle-making process. Also many different shapes sizes of candles can be purchased out of the stores. Candlelight is still used in homes but not so much out of necessity as the warmth of light they give off.
Written by Sonny Chenowith. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com
In The Kitchen
Ingredients:
Eyeball Cupcakes
• Red Velvet Cupcakes • Doughnut Holes • Sunkist Green Fruit Gems • Brown M&M’s (or other chocolate candy) • Red and White Icing • White Dipping Chocolate.
Directions: These cupcakes have an eye out for you. A red velvet cupcake becomes Halloween party worthy with red icing and doughnut holes.
To make the cupcake, follow these steps: 1. Use purchased red icing to pipe red zigzags atop a whitefrosted cupcake. 2. Place a circle gummy candy on top of the cupcake using white frosting to secure. 3. Dip a small doughnut hole in melted white chocolate or icing; place on top of gummy candy for eye. 4. Use icing to attach a small chocolate candy to the top of a doughnut hole for the pupil.
Courtesy of BHG.com
Health & Wellness
Fiber Dietary fiber is an essential nutrient of our daily diet that is required for proper digestion of food, proper functioning of digestive system and make you feel full for longer. In recent times, the question what are the best fiber rich foods is becoming very important. We consume lots of refined food products like white bread, pasta and rice. Refined ingredients get clogged in the colon and hence cause grief, flatulence and restricted bowel movement. So, high fiber foods are essential to keep colon healthy. On an average a women requires 25g of fiber and men require 38g of fiber daily. Deficiency of fiber leads to constipation, hemorrhoids, and elevates level of sugar and cholesterol in blood. On the other hand excess of fiber leads to bowel obstruction, diarrhea and dehydration. So if you increase the intake of fiber then you should increase the intake of water as well. Here we list some of the top fiber rich foods: •
•
•
•
•
Bran: Bran is high in fiber and a good source of iron and magnesium. Bran is found in whole grain breads, oats, brown rice, corn and barley. Consuming a quarter cup of whole grains gives u 2 to 6 grams of fiber. You can include oats in your breakfast along with fresh fruits, roots or brown rice in your meals, etc. Vegetables: Vegetables like spinach, sweet potato, cabbage, turnips, potato, beans, pumpkin, lady finger, etc. are a rich source of fiber. You get two to eight grams of fiber by consuming these vegetables. Eat lots of raw vegetables and vegetable salad to get the fiber. Seeds and Nuts: Nuts and seeds are always a good option to be consumed as snacks between the meals. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, groundnuts and seeds such as flax seeds, roasted sesame seeds are a good source of fiber. 28 grams of seeds and nuts provides you from one to eight grams of fiber. Fruits: Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries are a rich source of fiber. One cup of berries can provide four to eight grams of dietary fiber. You can have fruits as such or as Greek yogurt fruit salad or as snacks. Other fruits such as apples, pears, oranges, banana, figs, melons, peaches, prunes, etc. are also good source of dietary fiber. Beans: White, navy, kidney, navy beans are another good source of fiber. Indian kitchen is legume friendly and the legume that is best source of fiber is Bengal gram or chana. Green peas are also a good source of dietary fiber. One cup of these beans or legumes can provide 14 to 18 grams of fiber. The legumes are a rich source of proteins and vitamins as well.Include these top sources of fiber in your daily diet and keep your digestive system healthy. Written by Zino Ferlando. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com
Seven Tips To Green Your Halloween Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. When we have the opportunity to be whomever we want for a day, and indulge in practically anything we want, the atmosphere is ripe for an all-out enchanting celebration. Halloween does tend to create a tiny bit of guilt in some of our minds, however. May of us try to deal with the idea that tons of money and resources are spent on an event that happens on just one day out of the year. In addition to the slightly consumer-driven feeling that is often associated with Halloween, concerns over the quality of Halloween treats linger in the minds of some people, especially parents. It's important to enjoy holidays. Celebrations like Halloween allow us the chance to get
together with friends and family, and be light-hearted in a world that has many challenges and obstacles. Holidays like Halloween can and should be celebrated from a mindset of joy, for ourselves and for the world we live in. Celebrating an eco-friendly Halloween is the best way to honor our own joyful life, and to ensure that those who come after us will be allowed the same pleasure. Greening your Halloween can be as simple as making sure that you use as little resources as possible, and choose ecofriendly products when you must buy. When we must purchase something, because living and enjoying life means we'll have to buy things occasionally, it's important that our purchases be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.
When thinking about green Halloween costumes, ecofriendly Halloween party décor, and organic Halloween food, there are so many easy ways to make sure that we're doing out part to safeguard our health and that of the planet. A balance between fun and responsibility can be had, personally and environmentally. It's simply a matter of finding great resources for eco-friendly Halloween supplies. Here are 7 tips for greening your Halloween… 1.Eco-friendly Halloween Costumes – The best "green" Halloween costumes come from recycled or repurposed items like old hats, shirts, capes, pants, shoes, and more. When you have a special Halloween costume in mind that requires a more unique piece or outfit, consider an ecofriendly Halloween costume made from 100% cotton, silk, or felt. Eco-friendly Halloween costumes do not contain any toxic materials, like PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which can irritate the skin and "off-gas" into the environment. PVC or plastic Halloween costumes release cancer-causing dioxins into the air, and they are not recyclable either. Choose eco-friendly Halloween costumes that are made from natural, chemical-free fibers. There are tons of great "green" Halloween costumes available. Just choose what you want to be. Dragon, spider, vampire, or princess? There is an ecofriendly Halloween costume for almost anyone, at any age. 2.Natural Halloween Makeup – There are so many great Halloween costume ideas that require face painting and special makeup application. While you may look fantastic, who wants a load of toxic chemicals all over their face? Traditional Halloween makeup is filled with dangerous, synthetic substances. Non-toxic, natural Halloween makeup includes natural face makeup, organic nail polish, and natural nail polish and makeup remover to take it all of when Halloween is over. Are you going to be a clown, frog, furry animal, or even a piece of candy corn for Halloween? It's easy to find eco-friendly Halloween makeup that will make you look exactly like the character you've imagined. 3."Green" Halloween Decorations – Whether you're decorating your house to welcome trick-or-treaters, or preparing for an eco-friendly Halloween party, you'll want to find eco-friendly Halloween decorations that are durable enough to be used multiple times. Single use décor is not exactly the most environmentally friendly way to decorate for a Halloween party, so when you can buy Halloween decorations that will stand the test of time, you're on track to having an eco-Halloween. If you must purchase Halloween decorations that will be used only once, make sure they come from recycled or postconsumer materials like hemp, bamboo, organic cotton,
or other natural sources. Green Halloween decorations are much better for the Earth than plastic décor, which often just ends up in landfills after Halloween is over. To decorate your home for trick-or-treaters or for a party, choose fun and whimsical eco-Halloween decorations like felt banners, hay bale table place cards, or recycled paper confetti. 4.Eco-Halloween Treat Bags – Instead of grabbing a plastic or paper bag to collect Halloween "treats" in when trick-or-treating; opt for an eco-friendly Halloween treat bag than can be used for years to come. You'll find spooky and scary Halloween treat bags, or Halloween treat bags made to look like silly pumpkins and pretty witches. The best "green" Halloween bags are made from felt, which is sturdy enough to ensure years of use. 5.Organic Halloween Treats – Are you passing out "green" Halloween treats this year, or supplying a party with organic Halloween desserts? Conventional Halloween candy and cookies are often filled with tons of chemicals like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Chocolate in many Halloween treats is most likely sourced from suppliers that don't follow Fair Trade guidelines. Milk and sugar that's included in most Halloween treats comes from sources that may exploit animals. When "greening" your Halloween, choose organic Halloween treats like organic cookies and candies. You can even make your own organic Halloween cookies with cute, eco-friendly Halloween cookie cutouts. 6."Green" Halloween Party Favors – Do you need ideas for eco-friendly Halloween party favors? When you want Earth-friendly Halloween party favors to give to partygoers or trick-or-treaters, reach for Halloween party favors that are made with sustainable materials. Eco-friendly pencils, recycled crayons, and "green" LED flashlights are wonderful and inexpensive party favors for Halloween. You can also give little eco-friendly staplers shaped like animals or little packets of flower seeds that kids can grow themselves. 7.Eco-friendly Halloween tableware – When you're setting your table for an eco-friendly Halloween party, use your regular china or porcelain dishes, or opt for a fast and easy solution to Halloween tableware. Singleuse plates, cups, and utensils are not the "greenest" way to prepare a table, but when you must use disposable tableware, choose items made from recyclable and compostable materials. Bamboo plates and cups are completely biodegradable, and are grown without harmful chemical fertilizers. By following these 7 tips for an Eco-Friendly Halloween, you'll be doing your part in protecting the planet while having the best "Green" Halloween ever. Picture. Written by Ecolocos. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com
Who’s Afraid of a Haunted House?
It’s that time of year again. Time for all the ghouls and demons to come out of the woodwork. Time for children to dress up in imaginative costumes and go around their neighborhoods asking for treats. Yes, it’s that enjoyable annual holiday: Halloween. During this holiday, one popular tradition, for many, is to go to the local haunted houses. In these creepy remembrances, people delight in the chance to entertain their primal fears. Many of us get a kick out of a good scare. Of course, these are just false haunted houses. Annual occurrences of smoke and mirror type frights. They are fun because everyone plays along. The demons are actors, the ghosts, props. These haunted houses are fun because both spook and spooked, know that no one is actually going to be hurt in the process. So then, what of real haunted houses? Here the rules change. This time the scares are real, and the safety of the victim is placed into question. Now one comes face to face with the supernatural. That is, assuming that there is such a thing as “the supernatural.” Most neighborhoods in many parts of the industrial and post-industrial world, seem to harbor one, or two allegedly haunted places. According to Dennis William Hauck’s National Directory of Haunted Houses, there are over 2,000 haunted places in the United States
alone. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise considering that the only real criteria for a haunted house is a creepy atmosphere, a fairly rich history, and a few eyewitness accounts. So, where are some of the best places to go, to see a “real” haunting? How about two of the most haunted places on earth?: • Whaley House – Located in San Diego, California, this is the current reigning champion for the nation’s most haunted house. The abode was partially built on an old cemetery, as well as some of San Diego’s first public gallows. The residence has stood there for the past 148 years. Placement of the house, has made it a prime scene for many gruesome acts over the past century. Because of this, vast arrays of ghostly sightings have occurred on this property. These include the ghost of a young girl who accidentally hung herself on a clothesline whilst running down a hillside. Noted thief Jim Robinson, was hung 5 years before the house was built. His place of death now resides between the parlor and music room. Visitors have reported feeling a coldness and constriction of the neck, when around the archway that separates these rooms. Along with these two ghosts, there are numerous accounts of phantom scents in some rooms, cries of nonexistent babies in other rooms, and various apparitions that have been seen in the house’s mirrors and windows. • Borley Rectory – Not to be outdone by the States, England is also host to a number of haunted places. The most haunted of which is, allegedly, Borley Rectory, in the small town of Borley, in Essex. The rectory (lodging for priests) was built in 1863, on the site of an ancient monastery. Interestingly enough, it was built on a spot that was already known to house a ghost (a nun who was bricked up alive, in one of the monastic cellars). The rectory has since had numerous sightings of the nun, as well as many poltergeist activities, where various objects would be smashed, or displaced. Strange sounds, odors and cold spots are all known to occur there as well. While both of these places claim to be haunted, one must ask if haunting is even a real thing, or just a psychosomatic phenomenon. Are ghosts real, or just figments of our imagination? This remains a controversial topic among the general public. A recent Harris poll (February 2003) found that a whopping 51% of people surveyed, believed in ghosts. Of course belief in something, and the reality of it, are not always one and the same. After all, there was a time when much of the world believed that the planet was flat, and that disease was caused by the influence of the stars. While
there is much debate over the validity of ghosts among the general public, there is little to no debate among the scientific community. To date, there has been no concrete evidence to suggest the validity of ghosts, or any other preternatural occurrences. Okay then, so what are people seeing? Along with the various ghost seekers out there; there are also a handful of ghost-busters. Reading the various reports from these guys, has shown that ghostly encounters are the result of one of two things. 1. Hallucinations 2. Hoaxes The first term is just reserved for clinically insane, right? Not really. Hallucinations are more common among the general public, than one might think. A hallucination is simply a moment where one’s brain mistakes a sight, sound, or smell, for something it isn’t. Most hallucinations occur during “dazed” moments. That is, moments when the person is in a fairly relaxed state. The two most popular times are just when one is going to, or coming out of sleep, or when doing a relaxed, fairly monotonous activity. Hallucinations that occur when one is about to go to sleep, or when one has just come out of sleep, are called Hypnopompic Hallucinations, or “waking dreams.” The brain is not fully out of “sleep mode” when one wakes up, and thus, moments of dreaming, leak out into reality. Hallucinations can also occur during monotonous activities like cleaning. When one is placed into a daydreaming type state, apparitions have a tendency to occur. Many people report seeing something out of the corner of their eyes. This is often the result of their eye registering the sudden movement of some small thing (e.g. a fly, their eyelash, or pieces of drifting material inside the eye itself), and their brain associating it with a larger thing. Sometimes these take on the form of a person standing, or sitting. The degree of the detail in the hallucination, has a lot to do with how susceptible/imaginative the hallucinator is. The result, though, is always the same. The second the person looks away, the “apparition” disappears. As for why so many people report the same thing; this has a lot to do with the power of suggestion. People who are aware of the stories associated with a particular place, are often predisposed to seeing the objects in question. Most of the time, the hallucination is just attributed to some portion of the stories the person may have heard (often getting molded
to fit the scenario after the fact). Other times, the hallucination is vivid enough to create a new ghostly tale. This is usually the result of a person with a “fantasy prone” personality type. That is, a person who is particularly good at fantasizing. Many people like this go on to write fantasy/ science fiction books, or claim to have psychic abilities. They also tend to be easily hypnotized. Cases where objects are found displaced, or moving, are often exaggerations of what actually happened. Sometimes the person might even subconsciously move stuff about in an effort to bring their fantasy to life. Which, then, leads us into our second major type of haunting: hoaxes. Many haunted places around the globe, are staged that way to elicit the feeling of paranormal activities. Many places that have a history of being haunted, are probably getting a helping hand from owners/staff members who are trying to keep the legends alive. This can be small things like synchronized stepping sounds during a certain portion of the night, to intentionally flicking light switches on and off, creating ghostly images, and making up secondary stories. Oftentimes, these “hoax houses” are readily ferreted out. Occasionally though, a haunted house retains its air of paranormal for much longer, and resists attempts at debunking. Take, for instance, the infamous case of the Amityville Horror. The Amityville Horror took place in Amityville, New York in 1975. The home had been the scene of the gruesome murder of the DeFeo family by family member Ronald “Butch” Jr. a year prior. The home was bought by George and Kathy Lutz, and their three kids. Not long after moving in, the Lutzes reported the demonic possession of their house, and gave a somewhat detailed account of what occurred there during their 28 day stay. The story was turned into a book by author Jay Anson, in 1977. This was then followed by a 1979 movie based on the book, and now a 2005 remake. All three feature the tagline: a true story. This, though, was far from the case. Ever since the initial tale was brought to the public’s attention, there have been detractors. Yet despite the noted compilation, by researchers Rick Moran & Peter Jordan, of over 100 different factual errors seen between the book’s story, and the actual facts (e.g. the supposed demonic hoof print found in the snow, could not have occurred as there was no snowfall that night), despite these facts, the legend continued. In the end, it finally took the confession of William Weber (the DeFeo’s attorney), and the Lutzes themselves, to finally put this legend to rest. The Amityville Horror was finally debunked, but the damage was already done. All successive owners of the DeFeo’s old estate must now deal with multitudes of gawkers and paranormal investigators, who insist on touring the ill fated home. So this Halloween, if someone dares you to spend the night at the local “real” haunted house; just remember the famous words of investigative authors Robert Baker and Joe Nickell: “There are no haunted places, only haunted people.”
Written by The Iconoclast. Courtesy of Isnare.com
WHY DOES A WITCH DRESS LIKE A WITCH? Is all the black necessary? And broomsticks, really?
"Double, double, toil and trouble..." McBeth, Shakespeare's tale of murder and mayhem, is about a battle, with lots of murder and mayhem. Shakespeare adds witches to raise the fight to a supernatural level. Witches in Shakespeare's day were a frightening symbol of evil, flying with demons in front of the moon. During the Salem Witch Trials. When America was new, the witches were considered very evil. Now, looking back, we think of the "witches" as victims and the Judges and Ministers as the evil villains! What a change in the world! Once, the world was looked at as a combat between supernatural evil and good. But the world became secularized. Religious people, who wanted to
hang on to their own view of the world, needed to prove the existence of supernatural evil—and by personifying evil (witches and demons), they proved that the supernatural God exists. The world was in a massive identity crisis. Now we live in a more scientific and secular world. What do we do with the old symbols--witches and demons? Witches aren't evil, they are fun! Even our modern-day wickens—who call themselves witches— declare that they are not evil. Their religion has nothing to do with good and evil; they are pagans, who recognize neither God nor the devil. Dressing up and playing Halloween, we harken back, in a playful way, to the time of the medieval witch, with broomstick and black cape.
Did they ever ride broomsticks? Apparently the broomstick wasn't their mode of transportation. Apparently they sat on broomsticks while demons dragged them off to secret meetings in the dark night. Their dark cloak was a traveling cape. They traveled at night when everything was black, so of course their clothes are black, also. This symbol of evil has lost its sting! Witches have come to mean fun and good spirits. We have glitter witches, sexy witches, even good witches! Our treat-or-treat candy fills plastic witches' cauldrons, Glinda the good witch easily overcomes the evil witch of the West, and Halloween shows us again and again that we don't have to worry anymore about the witch's evil power.
Written by Sue Redman Courtesy of Articlesbase.com,
TOP TEN AUTUMN FOODS
The surroundings is getting wintry, and you can find paler, dry leaves covering up the roads and gardens - autumn has set in and with it the whole environment has turned a bit gloomy. However, autumn also offers a treat for your taste buds as a vast variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits fill up the stores. Furthermore, a little bit of food indulgence is just what you need to beat the autumn blues and pep up your mood. Cure yourself to the deep, dark colored vegetables and juicy fruits rich in nutrients and phytochemicals that will not only delight your senses but will also build your defense and prepare you for the cold season. Here's a list of a few of the best Autumn Comfort Foods * Apples - Apples contain flavonoids, which are one of the most amazing antioxidants available in food form. From reducing the risk of health conditions to preventing cancer, apples have many health benefits. There are two reasons why they're great
choice, specially in the autumn season - first they have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties that will deal with the common infections and allergies that appear in the autumn season; and secondly, they're superb for your skin and can help your look and feel younger. Have them with your breakfast, or as a mid-day snack, and you can truly keep the doctor away! * Cranberries - Cranberries are delicious, juicy and absolutely healthy fruit widely attainable in the autumn season. They are low in calories and are packed with Anthocyanins, heart-healthy antioxidants. Cranberries also play an essential role in curing gum conditions, mouth ad stomach ulcers, urinary tract infections and many forms of cancer. You can come across fresh cranberries from September through December, but most of it is used for cranberry juices and sauce. * Pumpkin - Pumpkins are surely another essential autumn comfort food, for they're loaded with betacarotene, antioxidants, Vitamin C and Folate. Even the seeds are packed with nutrition and are a rich source of Zinc and Omega 3 fatty acids. The air gets very dry in autumn, which can damage your skin and make it look dull and chapped. Making pumpkin a part of your diet, can keep your skin moisturized, supple and free from infections. * Garlic - Garlic surely is nature's own medicine. It contains Allicin, a chemical that is highly effective against viruses, fungi and bacteria. Internal consumption of garlic can reduce the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and prevent cancer. As for the autumn blues, consuming garlic can drastically improve your mood too. * Ginger - Ginger has a lot of natural heat, which is what makes it a great autumn comfort food. Whether you prefer ginger tea, or ginger pickle or just plain julienned ginger with honey, the advantages of this root are many. It can heal cough, cold and throat congestion, provide relief from digestive problems and soothe your stomach, fight nausea and even work wonders in driving away the allergies. According to recent researches, ginger works as an organic anti-inflammatory agent and is quite good for musculoskeletal illnesses. * Parsnips - Parsnip is a root vegetable that belongs to the family of carrots. They are a rich source of Fibre, Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. These are abundant in colder areas, and are primarily a winter vegetable. You can either steam and cook them with different vegetables or you can eat them raw, for their sweet and delicate flavor. * Kale - Kale is a dark, green leafy vegetable most commonly available in the autumn season. Kale works as
an immunity enhancer (essential in autumn), clears lung congestion, wards off the infections and allergies. It is particularly beneficial for liver and stomach infections. Kale is full of iron, beta carotene, calcium, Vitamin C and potassium, and is a must add in your list of autumn comfort foods. * Sweet potato - Aside from the fact that sweet potatoes are widely available in autumn and taste excellent, they are also a storehouse of health benefits. These yummy delights contain high amounts of Vitamin C and betacarotene (vitamin A), so you can easily ward off cold and other infections. Sweet potatoes are a great food choice for diabetics, as they are low glycemic food. The high amount of dietary fiber present in sweet potato promotes a healthy digestive tract and relieves constipation. For better flavor, eat these hot. * Cinnamon - It is one of the oldest known spices, and a perfect choice for autumn. Cinnamon is often used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for curing cough, cold, nausea, flatulence, diabetes, diarrhea and numerous other physical ailments. It can calm your senses and keep your body warm and comfortable in the cold season. Cinnamon is also believed to improve energy and vitality, and is specially useful for people who have cold feet but warm upper bodies. You can sprinkle cinnamon powder over side-dishes and salads, drink it with tea or mix it with juices. * Pepper - One more group of herbs, which are good for your taste buds also as your health, are different forms of pepper. Including pepper to your food can help you in various ways - it reduces flatulence, improves digestion, treats gastrointestinal disorders, kills viruses and bacteria, clears chest congestion, treats cough and cold, and so on. It's also a rich source of antioxidants. Whichever form of pepper you prefer - cayenne, black or white, they're all a great and healthy addition to your recipes especially during autumn. Autumn signifies the beginning of the cold season, which is why a lot of people suffer from bouts of cold and cough and different types of allergies. Your skin will also feel extremely dry and lifeless, and will be more susceptible to fungal infections and bacterial. Various autumn foods mentioned above are warming in nature, and work toward preventing the common infections and allergies associated with this season. These fruits, vegetables and spices will enhance your immune system and keep you comfortable and warm, so you are ready for the cold days.
Written by Mary Dezfoli. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com,
Products To Love In October Oh, Halloween! Glorious season of disguise, mayhem, spooktacular scaring and candy! I wait with extreme anticipation for the halloween season every year for one reason. And no, it始s not the costumes! Toosie Roll Caramel Apple Pops are one of my seasonal favorite candies in the entire world. (coming in second only to Peeps). The soft creamy caramel that sticks to your teeth in the most delicious way and the sharp, tangy flavor of the apple pop deliver a sense of bliss that makes the Halloween season a magical place. Please click here for more information.
FIE
LD
TE
ST
ED
Reviewed by Rural Jungle Testing
Want to impress your Halloween guests with something special this year? Right out of the classic sci-fi of the 1950s, all gleaming steel and aluminum with rubber hoses, it is a special effects triumph, standing over 47 inches tall. Plug it in and watch the horror! Lights and a bubbler run on standard 110 volt house current. The spare brain floating inside is resilient gray latex. So realistic you can almost hear the moans of its lost owner. The Dr. Karlosi Atomic Brain uses plain water; the lamp imparts a red glowing tint. When the room lights are dimmed, the brain keeps on glowing as if alive! Please click here for more information.
Guys, have we got one for you! Be the smash hit of the party in this amazing outfit. Let your inner warrior shine through and impress all the ladies this Halloween. Defend your princess and slay all Gorgon's in this impressive Clash of the Titans Deluxe Adult Perseus costume. Includes tunic, molded chest armor , gauntlets and shin plates. Please click here for more information.
Products To Love In October Looking for a fun read in the spirit of the Halloween season? Check this out! Sure you'll miss plenty when you die: your loved ones, your favorite Italian dish, great sex! But what about the things you assuredly won't miss: incurable disease, telemarketers, butt acne! "6001 Things You Won't Miss When You're Dead" is a candid and funny catalog of life's miseries, irritants, and mystifying b.s. we can all do without. It's the perfect travel companion, bathroom book, or gift for a dying friend, and certain to make readers smile with the understanding that when they depart this world it will no doubt come with a silver lining. Please click here for more information.
Make you house smell like Halloween! Discover the spooktacular autumn blend of Harvest and Spiced Pumpkin. Enjoy a refreshingly different approach to Halloween fragrance enjoyment with this unique combination of two true-to-life seasonal Yankee scents and the decorative possibilities of a distinctive, colorful look that is perfect for the occasion. And, of course, you can count on the renowned Yankee Candle reputation for exceptional fragrance quality and consistency from start to finish. Please click here for more information.
Alice in Wonderland is back! and is more popular than ever. From the awesome Tim Burton created movie, comes this very cool Alice costume just like in the movie. Alice is a dreamer and very curious and now you can have your dream come true with this Alice movie costume. It has great graphics on the dress and comes with a petticoat to create a very full dress. Time for you to cross over to the Wonderland as your favorite character Alice! Costume Includes: Dress with petticoat and glovettes. Please click here for more information.
City Spotlight
New York, NY
Warm autumn sunshine and lush fall colors make New York City in October an even more enticing travel destination than it already is. From the spectacular Columbus Day parade to dozens of Halloween events, there is no shortage of things to do to enjoy the beautiful fall weather! Columbus Day Parade Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October, and this autumn long weekend is a popular one with travelers. New York Cityʼs annual Columbus Day parade, a long-running tradition since 1929, takes place on Fifth Avenue and celebrates the great growth and contributions of the Italian-American community. Broadcast on six continents, the parade boasts thousands of marchers, a steady stream of colorful floats and live music and entertainment ranging from the traditional to the cutting-edge. Oktoberfest Columbus Day celebrates all things Italian, and Oktoberfest is a festival of all things German! From lager and leiderhosen to bratwurst and pretzels, the annual Oktoberfest celebrations in New York recreate the lively party atmosphere that Munich's beer festival is famous for. On various Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of October, Manhattanʼs Third Avenue becomes a pedestrian-only area to accommodate the music, dancing, and wide variety of German beers and delicious Deutschland foods. Halloween in New York City: Halloween Extravaganza and Procession of the Ghouls There are lots of fun things to do in New York City on Halloween for kids of all ages. A favorite New York City event, particularly for those who really like to get into the spirit of the holiday, is the Halloween
Extravaganza and Procession of the Ghouls. Attendees don their Halloween costumes for this annual tradition, which takes place at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The cathedral hosts an evening screening of a classic horror flick which is then followed by the Grand Procession of the Ghouls, a spooky cast of elaborately costumed characters who make their way down the cathedral aisles accompanied by eerie tunes from the church organ. Tickets sell out quickly for this event and can be purchased online. Ghost Walks and Haunted Tours of New York City Visitors planning to visit New York around Halloween will be in the city just at the right time to participate in a ghost walk or haunted tour. These tours can be found all year round but many more take place around the end of October. Not only does a haunted tour allow those new to the Big Apple to explore different neighborhoods of the city, but it gets even the most serious sight-seer right into in the spooky spirit of the season! Ghosts of New York Walking Tours offers leisurely 90-minute tours in different areas of the city such as “Ghosts of Time Square”, “Edgar Allan Poe and His Ghostly Neighbors of Greenwich Village”, and “Ghost Stories for Children of All Ages.” The crispness in the air and the warm autumn sunshine is also ideal for shopping trips up and down Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue, home to renowned stores like Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman. The pleasant autumn temperatures also make October in New York the perfect time to stroll through historic Central Park, where the acres of majestic trees boast stunning fall foliage.
Written by Rosalie Scott, courtesy of Articlesbase.com
DYI Project - October Spook-tacular Glow Stick Lanterns
You’ll need: • • • • • •
Clear Mason Jars Lids for the Mason Jars Glow Sticks Sharp Scissors Newspaper Water (Optional)
1. Pick up enough mason jars to light up your party. Preferably new jars so that all you will need to do is wipe out the inside and outside with a damp rag. If you are removing food from the jars, rinse well and either put them in the dishwasher or scrub with hot water and soap. Allow jars to dry before beginning your project. 2. Obtain your lighting element. Purchase several glow sticks--approximately one per jar. 3. Grab a pair of sharp scissors. You’ll want to make a clean cut along the top of the glow stick in order to extract the liquid. 4. Wipe jars clean and then dry. If you are working with new mason jars, all you’ll need to do is use a microfiber cloth to wipe the inside and outside.
5. Cover your work area with newspaper or a drop cloth. Even though you may not spill glow stick material, you don’t want to take any chances. Take precautions before you break open the sticks. 6. Hold the glow stick directly over the mason jar and snip the top with the scissors. Make sure you don't end up having to make several rough cuts as it could create a mess. A sharp pair of scissors should produce a clean cut along the top of the stick. 7. Pour the glow stick liquid directly into the mason jar. Hold a paper towel in the opposite hand so when you are done pouring you can grasp the open end with the paper towel and swiftly (and cleanly) discard the empty glow stick. 8. Replace the mason jar lid and screw on tightly. A tight fit is very important in order to avoid a huge mess. 9. (OPTIONAL) Add a little bit of water to the jar. According to some this makes the glow last longer. 10.Shake the mason jar to activate the glow stick material and cover the mason jar with liquid. The coverage will provide for more of a glow and remain illuminated for several hours. ENJOY! Courtesy of wikihow.com
Businesses That Make A Difference
Nutrition, Health and Wellness is Nestléʼs strategic direction. We want you to be able to make healthy choices about your food and beverages. We also believe that good food sometimes means treating yourself!
We aim to make your life more pleasurable because our products not only taste better; but they are also more nutritious. Here we have listed some of the local sites that will provide you good local information about Nutrition, Health
The Company's strategy is guided by several fundamental principles.
and Wellness. We will change and add to these addresses from time to time, so be sure to come back often to check on the links for Good Food, Good Life. Nestlé with headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé and is today the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company. We employ around 280 000 people and have factories or operations in almost every country in the world.
Nestlé's existing products grow through innovation and renovation while maintaining a balance in geographic activities and product lines. Long-term potential is never sacrificed for short-term performance. The Company's priority is to bring the best and most relevant products to people, wherever they are, whatever their needs, throughout their lives. Check out www.nestle.com to find out more.
This month's random fact subject has a delightful crunch to it: Apples! Apples are often eaten raw. The whole fruit including the skin is suitable for human consumption except for the seeds, which may affect some consumers. The core is often not eaten and is discarded. Varieties bred for raw consumption are termed dessert or table apples. Apples can be canned or juiced. They are milled or pressed to produce apple juice, which may be drunk unfiltered (called apple cider in North America), or filtered. The juice can be fermented to make cider (called hard cider in North America), ciderkin, and vinegar. Through distillation, various alcoholic beverages can be produced, such as applejack, Calvados, and apfelwein. Apple seed oil and pectin may also be produced. Apples are an important ingredient in many desserts, such as apple pie and apple cake. They are often eaten baked or stewed, and they can also be dried and eaten or reconstituted for later use. Puréed apples are generally known as apple sauce. Apples are also made into apple butter and apple jelly. They are also used (cooked) in meat dishes. •In the UK, a toffee apple is a traditional confection made by coating an apple in hot toffee and allowing it to cool. Similar treats in the US are candy apples (coated in a hard shell of crystallized sugar syrup), and caramel apples, coated with cooled caramel. •Apples are eaten with honey at the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah to symbolize a sweet new year. •Farms with apple orchards may open them to the public, so consumers may themselves pick the apples they will purchase. Sliced apples turn brown with exposure to air due to the conversion of natural phenolic substances into melanin upon exposure to oxygen. Different cultivars vary in their propensity to brown after slicing. Sliced fruit can be treated with acidulated water to prevent this effect.
Search My Listings Search The MLS Ask Me A Question
Ann Walker 573-374-1331 888-525-3289 www.ann-walker.com annwalker@lakebuy.com
Sales executive at Lake Buy Realty, Lake of the Ozarks, located in Laurie, MO on Lake of the Ozarks. I sell homes and property off-shore and lakefront on and around the lake area. I will be happy to assist you in looking for your dream home or helping you sell and relocate. I have been in real estate for seven years here at the lake and believe it is the best place to live and retire. Prior to real estate, I was in public education for 33 years.