Part 1 of this blog was a Russian recipe for a cold soup. Part 2 featured a recipe for a Latvian stew. A sinfully delicious Hungarian dessert is the recipe today. For ambitious cooks, when these three blogs are combined, a three course European meal can be served to your family and friends. For the […]
Books and the Dishes They Contain (part 1) featured a cold Russian soup that the character Sophia from the book A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW loved. Count Rostov, a character in the same book, enjoyed a Latvian stew while staying at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow. For some people, this stew might taste bland. Latvian food […]
Sitting at home instead of staring at four walls or the television, people are returning to the printed word. Book Clubs are popular again and people from various locations join using ZOOM. Some people have reverted back to the days of hardbound books and paperbacks. Others prefer reading ebooks on their electronic device. There are […]
My friends rented a vacation villa in northern Italy where they were introduced to white truffles. While they are there, the property owner and his dog search daily for the “diamond of the kitchen.” When his dog was a puppy he was trained to search for these wild and highly prized fungi. White truffles grow […]
All of us who begin our daily routine applying makeup have discovered we only have to do half our face. We can concentrate on enhancing our eyes and varying our hairstyles. We do not need foundation, blush, or lipstick because that half of our face is covered with a mask. We can make wearing a […]
When unexpected natural disasters (floods, fires, hurricanes) happen, many times people have to flee their home immediately. They have no time to pack. That is why people are urged to have an emergency go bag ready at all times. Clothing can take up most of the space in the bag because of the number of […]
People all over the world are living in a way that humans were not created to live in, isolation! We have a natural instinct to be around others. People also have a natural instinct to want to know someone cares about them. During this time of isolation, you can satisfy this need by gifting friends […]
I hear a thump as the attic stairs hit the floor below. I hear a squeak as someone climbs the stairs. The footsteps are moving in a manner that makes me think the person they belong to is exploring all the corners of the attic in search of something in particular. What could they […]
We all experience anxiety, some more than others. Self-help books become best sellers because people want to feel normal. What most of us do not realize normal includes anxiety some times. Instead of spending money on more self-help books, spend it on MUSIC! Science says music affects our overall mood. Happy music improves our feeling […]
Who doesn’t love Disney movies? Everyone has a favorite one; it might go back to the original Mickey Mouse film FANTASIA or the latest release or one in between. Everyone has at least one favorite song from a movie that they can whistle, hum, sing the chorus or sing the entire song. People love to […]
This is a light-hearted blog to bring you a different perspective to a serious matter. StickerTalk hopes the next time you wash your hands, you will smile and try one of the suggestions below to make this important exercise fun. When you were young, you were probably told several times a day, “Go […]
George Carmack was in the right place at the right time. August 16, 1896, Carmack found gold in Rabbit Creek, a tributary of the Klondike River. He wasn’t there to strike gold, he just found it. How lucky can a person get! By 1897 the news reached Seattle and a mass of prospecting migrants from […]
Today, if you have the finances, you can have and keep those beautiful pearly white straight teeth. People cannot achieve this on their own, but thanks to modern dentistry a perfect smile is available to all. The one thing that is required of you is regular visits to dental health professionals. Dentists and other oral […]
Have you ever dreamed of owning a yacht? Have you wanted to travel the world? Today, when you reach retirement age you can have the opportunity to try this life-style even if you don’t have millions of dollars. A company has made it possible for you to buy a residence on a yacht. If […]
Everyone has a favorite animal that they would love to give affection to and receive affection back from. Usually people select a domestic dog, cat, horse, etc. Some long for an animal that is known to live in the wild. If you have your mind set on purchasing a wild animal (they can cost thousands […]
Every February 27 International Polar Bear Day is celebrated. It is the perfect day to become familiar with this magnificent animal of the wild. They live in the Arctic areas of the northern hemisphere where some of the coldest areas of the world are found; they need to be in temperatures 50 degrees or […]
Wherever there are pigeons, there will probably be a pigeon club. Wherever there is a pigeon club, there is pigeon racing. For many people breeding and racing pigeons is a full-time job. Pigeon breeders/racers must be dedicated to breed, train, and take care of hundreds of pigeons 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. […]
Pets are loved members of the family. February 20 is the day for pet owners all over the world to give their pet extra attention; it is National Love Your Pet Day. It is a day for pet owners to ensure these family members are pampered, handled affectionately, and spoiled rotten. Dog lovers might […]
Would you like to improve your skills at school and/or work? There is one thing you can do that will enhance several beneficial qualities at the same time. See if you can guess what it is. This activity helps people to train their eyes to pick out slight differences in colors and shapes. They have […]
Today it is so easy and quick to make soup in a crockpot or slow-cooker before you leave the house for the day. When you return at the end of the day, anxiety mellows, blood pressure goes down, and the tension of the day disappears as soon as the aroma of the homemade soup fills […]
If you feel like doing something out of the norm, why not celebrate a different food each day for a week. Don’t do it alone though, enjoy the experience with family and friends. The following is for the dates January 19 through January 25, 2020. Sunday, January 19, is National Popcorn Day. What goes […]
Most fictional stories are inspired by events or people in the author’s life. An example are the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by Alan Alexander Milne, better known as A. A. Milne. His son, Christopher Robin, had a menagerie of toy animals. His bear purchased at Harrods in London came with the name of Edward, but Christopher […]
Over 3 billion fortune cookies are made each year in the United States. Most of them are purchased by Chinese restaurants. At the end of their meal, Americans look forward to breaking open their Chinese fortune cookie and reading what is written on the rectangular piece of paper that is hidden inside. Were these […]
It doesn’t matter if you were a child in the 40s, 50s, 60s, or later; all generations have at least one thing in common—they grew up being entertained by puppets! These television shows kept the young ones occupied while building their self-esteem. Baby Boomers fell in love with Howdy Doody. He was a wooden puppet […]
Would you like to improve your skills at school and/or work? There is one thing you can do that will enhance several beneficial qualities at the same time. See if you can guess what it is. This activity helps people to train their eyes to pick out slight differences in colors and shapes. They have […]
When my daughter was young, I made her walk around mud puddles so she would stay clean. I could see by the look on her face it was a major test of obedience. I realize now that she really, really, really wanted to jump in the puddle and experience the thrill! All I was […]
National Bobblehead Day is established as an official National Observance Day to be celebrated annually each year on Jan. 7. It is a day of celebration for all spring-connected head bobbing figurines. Bobbleheads have been popular collectibles since the 20th century. With the use of plastic, mass production of bobbleheads was possible at a reasonable […]
As the baby boomer generation gets up in years, health care assistants are and will continue to be in high demand. In fact, the health care field will need more trained assistants than the population will be able to provide. In most of the world, people over 65 are the fastest growing age group. […]
Most sandwiches today are variations of the original. PB&J In 1896 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING magazine suggested readers use a meat grinder to make a peanut butter to spread on bread. In the 1940s jelly was added to the sandwich, making the PB&J sandwich. What started as peanut butter and jelly spread between two slices of bread, […]
What happens when we laugh? Our face and other muscles stretch, our blood pressure goes up in a good way, and we breath faster sending more oxygen throughout our body. William Fry, a pioneer in laughter research, says it took him ten minutes using a rowing machine to increase his heart rate to the […]
Apples have been around forever it seems and they are still grown worldwide. Trees can be started from seed or grafting onto rootstocks. They have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe. History credits Alexander the Great with finding dwarfed apples in 328 BCE. European colonists brought apples to North America in […]
Every year the third Saturday in August National Honey Bee Day is celebrated. Are you wondering how you can recognize the honey bee this year on August 17? You certainly can’t buy a honey bee a treat like you would for a domestic pet. You also can’t adopt (financially contribute to its care) a […]
The Gulf Coast of the United States and the eastern coast of Central America are known for their beautiful beaches, seafood, and tourists. Twice a year they are also the home for black flying nuisances known as lovebugs, honeymoon flies, or double-headed bugs. The name “double-headed bug” came about because the mating pair remain joined […]
When you hear the words “Black Friday” what comes to mind? It probably depends on which generation you were born. In the 1800s it referred to the stock market crash caused by Jay Gould and James Fisk, both Wall Street financiers. They tried to run up the gold market on the New York Stock Exchange. […]
There is a lot of scientific information about why leaves change colors. The average person though just wants to know the week the leaves will be at their most vibrant so an annual scenic trip can be planned. There is nothing more disappointing than missing their beauty because you are too early or too […]
How many sandwiches can you name? It might be a fun activity on November 3 to do with your family and friends. Why November 3? That is the nonofficial day each year recognized as National Sandwich Day. Englishman John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich and a gambler, is credited with inventing the sandwich. Montagu […]
In 1972, 13 hot air balloons launched from a shopping center parking lot in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From this humble beginning, The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was born. Today, it is the largest balloon festival in the WORLD. There are over 500 hot air balloons entered in various events and the tourist attendance is close […]
The Gulf Coast of the United States and the eastern coast of Central America are known for their beautiful beaches, seafood, and tourists. Twice a year they are also the home for black flying nuisances known as lovebugs, honeymoon flies, or double-headed bugs. The name “double-headed bug” came about because the mating pair remain joined […]
I live all over the earth except extreme desert regions and the Antarctica. You find the largest majority of my kind in the tropics. Over 1,000 species like me exist and each has a different color, shape, and size. I can weigh less than a penny and more than 2 pounds. I am considered the […]
Close your eyes and pretend you are five years old again (I know this is a little difficult if you’re over 40). There is something soft and pliable in your hands that you roll into a ball using the same movements you use now when you make meatballs. It willingly allows you to press […]
When you read the definition for grandparent it is just that, a definition. It is just a cold fact with no emotional attachment. Yet, there is no relationship as unique as that between a grandparent and a grandchild. If you are a grandchild in the United States of America, the perfect day this year […]
According to one popular magazine, there are seven types of love. Agape is universal, unselfish love that is concerned for the welfare of others. Ludus is playful or uncommitted love. Eros is romantic love. Pragma is practical love founded on reason or duty. Philautia is self-love, emotional appraisal of ones worth relative to others. Philia […]
People are always looking for a reason to party and the best parties include lots of food and drink. Hosting an International Bacon Day celebration is a perfect reason to plan one. It is celebrated on the Saturday before Labor Day in the United States of America. (Do not confuse it with Bacon Day […]
August 21 is the day to reflect on the contributions senior citizens have made. It is also the perfect day to tell them they are appreciated. In 1988, United States President Ronald Reagan signed a Proclamation making August 21 National Senior Citizen’s Day. Following is a quote from former President Reagan: “Throughout our history, […]
If you are a “people watcher” it probably doesn’t take you long to recognize someone who is left-hand dominant. You have observed the frustration on their face when they use a serrated knife; the cut is crooked instead of straight. At a restaurant there is always the game of musical chairs going on; a lefty […]
Who doesn’t love to look at and listen to a waterfall. They are created when rivers plunge over the edges of cliffs crashing to the ground below. No two waterfalls are exactly alike; they vary in length, width, and power. People become mesmerized when viewing Angel Falls in Venezuela, Victoria Falls in Africa, and […]
Every year the third Saturday in August National Honey Bee Day is celebrated. Are you wondering how you can recognize the honey bee this year on August 17? You certainly can’t buy a honey bee a treat like you would for a domestic pet. You also can’t adopt (financially contribute to its care) a […]
Today, all over the world people drink tea. Tea is grown in 34 countries in Asia, Africa, South America, and at one commercial tea plantation in North America. Half of the tea production in the world comes from India. The three basic teas, (green, black, and oolong) come from the Camellia Sinensis plant. It is […]
Wind turbines produce energy without polluting the environment. While driving on a flat piece of road in many states in the USA, wind farms can be seen for miles. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has set a goal that by 2030, wind energy sources will produce 20 percent of the electricity needed […]
Life is full of lots of firsts; first man on the moon, and first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest! To reach the summit of Mount Everest and make a successful descent takes unimaginable stamina. That is what New Zealand born Edmund Hillary had. He was born in the town of […]
Do you have your StickerTalk camera dots? Better yet, are you using your StickerTalk camera dots? The most effective way to prevent someone from using malware to take over your webcam is to cover the lens. That’s it; cover the lens! The inexpensive camera dots need to be on laptops, tablets, cell phones, and […]
Books provide entertainment, information, and emotional escape. Today they can be found everywhere in various formats. Before the 1800s, books were available to the educated and the wealthy who had small libraries in their homes. Private book clubs called subscription or membership libraries were popular with the wealthy. They were funded by membership fees or […]
Charleston, South Carolina, welcomes thousands of visitors every year. The City Market, plantations, and the riverfront are popular tourist attractions. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind unique experience in North America though, take time to visit the Charleston Tea Plantation located on Wadmalaw Island. It is a short scenic drive from the busy city. […]
Decisions, decisions, decisions so many decisions to make about having a veggie garden. What will I plant? Where will I plant? What do I need to prepare before planting? If you are a beginning gardener, these are questions you need the answers to before you get your hands dirty. The first step is to do […]
In the United States there is a FLYING PIG MARATHON that has been run in Cincinnati, Ohio, since 1997. In the 1800’s Cincinnati had the nickname “Porkopolis” because of the meat packing industry and all the stockyards there. During this time, pigs could be seen running through the downtown Cincinnati streets to the stockyards. In […]
During WWI, as the story goes, on Christmas Eve 1915 there was a temporary truce between English troops and German troops. Out of nowhere a football (soccer ball is the term used in the USA and will be used in this blog) appeared and these two countries put their political views aside and played soccer! […]
July 1 is Canada Day. On July 1, 1867, the United States northern neighbor, Canada, remembers the day when the British North America Act stated that Canada would become an independent dominion of England. The Act combined the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada province (which eventually was split into Ontario […]
There seems to be a day for almost everything and the magnificent sea turtle has not been forgotten. June 16th is World Sea Turtle Day. Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles which means they have to come to the surface of the water periodically. There are seven species and all are endangered. Sea turtles are found […]
Twirling has been around forever. Once upon a time, although It isn’t documented, somewhere a long time ago someone put something between their fingers and spun it around, tossed it in the air, and caught it; twirling was invented! Today, people twirl batons (some lighted and some with fire), spin knives, fire knives, rifles, flags, […]
The fun has just begun for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. On May 6, 2019, a baby boy was born to Meghan and Harry. They might be English royalty, but today they are experiencing the same emotions as all first-time parents. Immediately after giving birth, Meghan might have felt overjoyed with happiness, exhausted, and […]
Everyone at some time feels stressed to the max and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. One of the best stress releasers is gardening. We all know the saying, “bigger is better,” but when it comes to a therapeutic garden, size does not matter. What is important is the time you spend […]
Bass fishing has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Professional fishermen are no different than other sports professionals; they are constantly looking for the best gear they can afford. Just like there are numerous tennis rackets and golf clubs to choose from, there is a large selection of rods, lures, reels, lines, and electronic depth and fish-finding […]
When people open your car door do food wrappers, soda cans, water bottles, etc., come tumbling out? Or, when someone opens your car door will they find a clean seat waiting for them? People will size you up by the contents of your car. Even if the outside has just been run through the car […]
A LIGHT SENSATION I see a light in the distance, It is a small light. On, off, on, off, Never stopping. I try to get closer, It flies away. Someone says, “put the light in a glass jar.” Someone says, “That’s cruel.” I say, “How? It’s a light, Just a light.” Someone says, “not just […]
Rabbits are popular pets. There are about four dozen domestic breeds to select from. Each breed has its own distinct characteristics. Rabbits range in size from 2-pound dwarfs to more than 20-pound gentle giants as some people like to describe them. Owners of rabbits love to brag about how intelligent their pet is; just like […]
If you want a hypoallergenic pet that is not your ordinary cat or dog, think about a PIG! Before you run out and get one though, there are some important things to consider. Let’s look at some positive things about owning a pet pig. As stated before, pigs are hypoallergenic. They also do not shed […]
My first camera was called a Brownie even though it was black. It came with a strap that hung around my neck and when I waked it bounced up and down. I would insert a roll of film, take 12 picture and take the roll to the store where they would develop it. Each picture […]
Walking and running are great ways to get up out of that chair and do something that benefits YOU. The one you choose depends on the benefits you want to receive and how active you are currently. Let’s explore each separately. Walking There is the “stop and smell the roses walker.” This walker does not […]
Smiles spread happiness! Smiles spread goodwill! Smiles spread the feeling of peace! People of every age, nationality, language, and race speak the universal language of a smile. These facts and other facts have been confirmed by studies conducted at several universities. The brain does not know the difference between a fake smile and a smile […]
It doesn’t matter what your age is, what your social background is, or what country you reside in; everyone loves balloons! This blog is not about big commercial balloons that float high over skyscrapers in holiday parades. It is about balloons that are twisted into various shapes right before your eyes. They appear at numerous […]
If you have a fear of ALL snakes, take your vacation or better yet think about moving to Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, New Zealand or the Falkland Islands. Snakes are nonexistent there. If you are okay with snakes in general, but apprehensive when you see one in the wild for fear it is poisonous, the […]
Most of the countries in the world today, but not all, use standardized time zones developed in 1878 by a Canadian named Sir Sanford Fleming. He reasoned, there are 360 degrees of longitude. Longitude is defined as the angular distance between a point on any meridian and the prime meridian. Each hour the earth rotates […]
And the best in show is—these are the last word the judge says before announcing the top bird over all others in the show. Judging categories are Best in Class, Best in Section, and Best in Show. If you have never been to a bird show, add it to your bucket list; you won’t be […]
By Denise V If your entire body craves this delicious, creamy, and healthy treat, chocolate, you might want to pursue a career as a professional chocolate taster. Just as professional wine tasters have a specific procedure to follow to judge the quality of a fine wine, there is a specific procedure for judging the […]
The world runs on rails and has since the 1800s. The first successful steam locomotive was developed in Great Britain. Today in countries all over the world, people and materials are transported quickly within and between countries. The train, not airplanes, brought about the world-wide need for standardized time zones. The fascination with trains quickly […]
What Is Your Favorite Color? When someone asks you what your favorite color is, think before you answer. The color you name tells a lot about you, at least about your mood on that day. The color of the vehicle you drive, the colors of the rooms in your home, the color of the fabrics […]
If you are tall and sometimes wish you were shorter, you might want to think about some of the blessings of being tall. One benefit of being tall is the ease of getting items on the top shelf of a cabinet. A tall person might have to stand on their tippy toes and stretch […]
If you live in the United States and happen to reside in Texas or one of the other Gulf Coast states, you have seen a short-legged mammal with an oval-shaped bony plate covering its back, legs, head, and tail walking along the side of the road. Its plate is usually referred to as its shell […]
You are planning to go on a picnic. You spot your grandparents straw picnic basket and think how much fun it would be to use it. You dust it off and open it up. Inside you see plates, cups, utensils, and food storage containers. Realization hits; you will need to bring everything home, wash each […]