A classic...

Happy New Year to all!

May you be blessed with good health, love, family, wonderful memories and good friends!

:o)

Feels like London...

... with all this fog!

I only ventured out a couple of times and that was just to check on the gang.

Notice Charlie isn't standing on the ice!

The fog is supposed to lift later this morning and we may even  get to see the sun!

:o)

Places I'd like to visit

Mongolia is kind of far, but I think it would be worth it, don't you?

　　Covering 15 square kilometers, the towering and savage-looking Arshatu Stone Forest strikes a strong contrast with its surroundings of mild green vegetation in Chifeng city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

　　Arshatu, meaning the "stones of hazards" in the mongolian language, stands about 40 kilometers north to the highest peak of the Greater Khingan Mountain Range, and is often compared with China's major stones forests in Yunnan province and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. According to studies by geologists, the texture of the stone has been shaped by thousands of years of melting glacier water and thus it is also called "glacier stone forest". It is said to be the world's one and only glacier stone forest landscape.

　　In various gestures, the stones were given names such as "Sword", "Goddess" and "Heavenly Gate" by locals and tourists according to their features. The stone forest is a major tourist site of Chifeng city and has also been a favorable destination for photography fans.

.(Source: china.org.cn/bbs.fengniao)

Today's funny :o)

That's one way to do it!

The Iceman Cometh

We were supposed to get a little bit of sleet with light snow changing to rain. HA!

 It was all ice!

 It was sooo slippery walking to the coop:

 The temperature never went past 30 all day:

 Our little fir tree covered in ice:

 The forsythia bushes that had yellow flowers on them last week:

 The ice didn't bother Maude and Sophia. Laverne & Shirley stayed in the pen:

 Charlie stepped outside just to see if I had any goodies for him. He does not like to get his feet wet.

 Even the chicken wire was coated  with ice.

The berry bush:

 The fir tree was just beautiful!

Maybe next time the weatherman will  get it right!

:o)

If any of you gals out there....

.... are as old as I am, you played these games, too!

Remember all of the other street games? Hopscotch, Hit the clothespin, Giant Steps, Stick ball, Old Mother Gray,  One Potato-Two potato, Tag and so many others!

Usually we had to come in when the street lights went on, but on really hot nights during the summer we were allowed to stay outside and play. No one had air conditioning back then, but we did had a fan on top of the icebox and as the fan turned back and forth over a bowl of ice, it cooled off a wee bit.. And we survived!

Such innocent times. The best of times, really.

:o)

Today's funny :o)

The gang

The gang waiting at the fence. They see me with a treat bag!

Charlie's tail feathers have grown in nicely - and he knows it, too!

 He would be sooo handsome if he had neck feathers! There are just little tuffs on it now.

 

Just had to make this photo bigger so you could see how silly Sophia looks!

Maude is more dignified than Sophia will ever be! 

 Charlie likes to be hand fed. (See the tuffs on his neck?)

 They were all treated to a good helping of turkey, peas and carrots for Christmas!

:o)

The amazing sea sponge

The Many Uses of Sea Sponges

Sea sponges have long been esteemed as highly valued commodities for many different peoples and in many different places all over the world.  They have always offered great value due to their natural qualities of softness, strength, high absorbency, and for their long life span of usefulness.
Some of their most popular uses include: Adult, infant, and child bathing, cosmetic applications, personal hygiene, feminine hygiene and care, pet bathing and care, premium car washing and detailing, wall painting, water color painting, arts and crafts of all kinds, shoe shinning, equine and tack care, outdoor adventuring, household décor, dish washing, household cleaning, and many more uses.

Benefits of Using Sea Sponges
Genuine sea sponges are an incredible alternative for a superior natural bathing experience to all synthetic sponges.  They are highly absorbent, exceptionally soft, create a luxurious lather, do not retain odors, last longer than synthetic sponges, and are truly the ideal choice for even the most sensitive of skin. Those who care about our environment love the fact that sea sponges are a very renewable resource and are fully biodegradable.
Natural sea sponges, while remaining hypoallergenic and toxin-free, actually possess enzymes that are shown to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.  This is just another reason that sea sponges are considered healthier, safer, and more effective for various cosmetic and personal care applications.
For similar reasons people find small premium sea sponges to be the perfect choice for cleansing and protecting even a baby’s delicate skin.  They are literally soft as silk when wet and make bath the favorite part of the day for baby, child, and adult alike.  Many experts agree that fine-pored “silk” sponges are the best choice for infants and children, and some of our customers choose to cleanse without the use of soap when using a Mediterranean Silk sea sponge.
Aside from the sea sponge’s many uses as a household favorite in bathing, personal care, cleaning, and more, living sea sponges are actually being researched right now in hopes to synthesize alternative treatments for various ailments.  Sea sponge in the ocean emit a natural chemical that is thought to one day offer effective and natural possible treatment options for arthritis sufferers and even certain types of cancer.  In addition, they contain a full spectrum of healthy sea minerals that our bodies love and need and for this reason have been consumed by individuals from various countries.

Source: http://www.seaspongecompany.com/pages/what-is-a-sea-sponge

Check out the above page - there is a lot more interesting information about them!

df

Today's funny :o)

Weekend pics

You've probably read about how warm it has been up here in Joisey. Well, it sure was - but it won't last! Supposed to get snow and sleet tonight through tomorrow morning. Oh well, it WAS nice while it lasted!

Even the mint is still growing in the little rock garden:

The sunset on Christmas eve was just beautiful:

 The sky looked like it was on fire!

Sunrise on Christmas morning:

'Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas!

:o)

Easy Listening for a Sunday Afternoon

Something a little different today. Heard the tune and just liked it! Enjoy!

Doo-Wop Saturday Night

Elvis!

I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree

Won't be the same if you're not here with me
And when those blue snowflakes start fallin'
And when those blue melodies start callin'
You'll be doin' all right with your Christmas of white

But I'll have a blue blue blue blue Christmas
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing, if you're not here with me

I'll have a blue Christmas that's certain
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin'
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white,
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas !

May this Christmas be filled
With happiness in all that you do

And may this joy continue

The whole year through

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year!

From all of us in Coopville:

Charlie, Laverne, Shirley, Maude, Sophia,

Hubby and Chickenmom

:o)

A classic

It's that time of year again for one of my favorite classic Christmas movies!

It's in HD - so grab a cup of hot chocolate, put your feet up and ENJOY!

He was quite an interesting man!

Alastair Sim

Biography

Showing all 29 items

Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (2) | Spouse (1) | Trivia (18) | Personal Quotes (4)

Overview (4)

Date of Birth	9 October 1900, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Date of Death	19 August 1976, St. Pancras, London, England, UK  (lung cancer)
Birth Name	Alastair George Bell Sim
Height	6' (1.83 m)

Mini Bio (2)

The son of Alexander Sim JP and Isabella McIntyre, Alastair Sim was educated in Edinburgh. Always interested in language (especially the spoken word) he became the Fulton Lecturer in Elocution at New College, Edinburgh University from 1925 until 1930. He was invited back and became the Rector of Edinburgh University (1948 - 1951). His first stage appearance was as Messenger in Othello at the Savoy Theatre, London. He went on to create some of the most memorable (usually comedic) roles in British films from 1936 until his death in 1976.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Steve Crook <steve@brainstorm.co.uk>

He came to acting late being 30 when he started acting on the London stage and 35 when he made his film debut. In the late 30's he was inclined towards the sinister with such films as 'The Terror'(38) although he also appeared in the Crazy Gang's 'Alf's Button Afloat' (38) and with Jesse Matthews in 'Climbing High'(39). During the war he played Sergeant Bingham in the 'Inspector Hornleigh' films directed by Walter Forde. It was after the war that he found his true forte - comedy - in the films of Launder and Gilliat in particular playing a series of Dickensian eccentrics, rogues and pathological assassins although the sinister element often remained. Despite his many films his attachment to the theatre continued throughout his career, acting, directing and producing and with a strong association with James Bridie who wrote seven plays for him.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: tonyman5

Spouse (1)

Naomi Plaskitt

(1932 - 19 August 1976) (his death) (1 child)

Trivia (18)

He was awarded an honorary LLD by Edinburgh University at the end of his term as Rector.

He and Naomi had one daughter, Merlith McKendrick.

He never signed autographs.

He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the Coronation Honours List of 1953. He was also offered a knighthood but turned it down because it would have impinged too much on his private life.

He was made the rector of Edinburgh University in 1948.

He appeared in 61 films and 46 West End productions.

He met his wife Naomi Plaskitt when they both appeared in a stage production of "The Land of Hearts Desire" by William Butler Yeats. He was 27, she was 12. They married when Naomi was 18.

When he was made Rector of Edinburgh University, he beat Harold Macmillan (the future Prime Minister) by 2078 votes to 802.

By 1950, he topped the cinemagoers popularity poll.

His performance in Dulcimer Street (1948) so impressed Alec Guinness that he based his performance in The Ladykillers (1955) on it. So much so that Alastair is often thought to have done it.

Played the lead in Pinero's "The Magistrate", opposite Patricia Routledge at the 1969 Chichester festival in what is often cited as his best stage performance.

Foster father and acting instructor of George Cole.

Between 1941 and 1968, he played "Captain Hook" in at least six different stage productions of J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" (the non-musical version), but he never starred in a film of the play.

Near the end of his life he maintained a correspondence with Ray Bradbury.

He shares the distinction, along with Seymour Hicks and Basil Rathbone, of portraying "Ebenezer Scrooge" in more than one production of the classic Charles Dickens novel.

He worked with Alfred Hitchcock in Alfred Hitchcock's Stage Fright (1950), playing "Commodore Gill".

In 1950 he headed the British Cinema Exhibitors Poll.

He appeared in nine films with George Cole: Bombsight Stolen (1941), The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950), Bikini Baby (1951), A Christmas Carol (1951), Folly to Be Wise (1952), An Inspector Calls (1954), The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954), The Green Man (1956) and Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957).

Personal Quotes (4)

As I passed imperceptibly from a beautiful child to a strong handsome lad, I wanted more than anything else in the world to be of all things, a hypnotist. I practised on gentle dogs...

I stand or fall in my profession by the public's judgement of my performances. No amount of publicity can dampen a good one or gloss over a bad one.

At first I was not sure if I liked films. The sequences are so disconnected and mechanical I thought I should have difficulty "getting into the skin" of the characters. But I soon found that the care, precision and concentrated energy that attends the photographing of each scene conspires to pitch one into the right frame of mind.

It was revealed to me many years ago with conclusive certainty that I was a fool and that I had always been a fool. Since then I have been as happy as any man has a right to be.

:o)

Today's funny :o)

H/T to BW!

LOL!

This 'n That

Every weekend before Christmas the local volunteer fire department goes around with Santa to give out candy treats to the kids

There used to be several families that had small children come out to greet Santa. A lot of them have moved out of the area during this past year. Wonder if they will still do it next year.

Neighbor's horse taking a nice roll in the dirt. It's been so warm here - just like Spring!

 A flok of geese heading South - they must be from Canada!

The fog was terrible yesterday morning - this is right before I let the gang out:

Charlie has a cold. He's sneezing a lot (and resting in the coop where it is dry) but is eating like a horse. I think the girls are glad to get a break from him! Laverne laid another egg. It was just a regular sized one. She was very proud of herself - she cackled for about 5 minutes to let everyone know!

:o)