Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Some of the worlds amazing fountains and sculptures


Poland's Dancing Fountains


Rainman, Florence, Italy


Black Ghost; Klaipeda, Lithuania


Powerful Bronze Sculptures Tell the Story of European Migrants in Search of Utopia



'The Divers Fountain', Dubai, United Arab Emirates


 

Oval Fountain In Villa D'este, Rome, Italy

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

quotes on animals


“No matter how few possessions you own or how little money you have, loving wildlife and nature will make you rich beyond measure.”
 Paul Oxton


“anyone who has no feelings for animals has a dead heart.”
― Raegan Butcher, Rusty String Quartet


“Animals are a window to your soul and a doorway to your spiritual destiny. If you let them into your life and allow them to teach you, you will be better for it.”
― Kim Shotola, The Soul Watchers: Animals' Quest to Awaken Humanity


“The way you treat the animals around you will be the nature of the animal within you”
― Sir P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar


“marveled at how two souls - two completely different species - could make each other so happy. If you were kind to animals, they repaid that kindness a thousand fold. People disappointed; animals never did.”
― Alan Brennert, Daughter of Moloka'i


“Animals are a gift from above for they truly define the words unconditional love.”
― Heather Wolf,


“When you look a wild animal in the eye, it's like catching a glimpse into the soul of nature itself”
― Paul Oxton


“Every stray deserves a chance at love, a home and a warm bed to sleep at night.”
― Penny Reid,


“love about any animal or bird is pure because in that love u dont expect anything from them”
― Kedar dhepe


“I love animals, sometimes more than people, because they don't judge. All they want is love.”
― H.J. Lawson, War Kids


 

Ideas for my garden








Monday, January 25, 2021

Diana: Her Fashion Story on Display


 


Diana added her input on the designs for her clothing in pencil




Princess Diana 1996



 Princess Diana, wearing a floral pink gown designed by Catherine Walker, poses for a portrait in 1997. Diana wore this gown in many events, most remembered in Pakistan.



 A green silk velvet evening dress worn in a Vanity Fair photo shoot in 1997; A shift dress of cream printed silk by Catherine Walker worn in 1997;





The dress worn by Lady Diana Spencer as a young debutante in 1979


Brown tweed wool day suit worn on her honeymoon in Balmoral in 1981


 A Catherine Walker dress, Diana wore to look a gala performance by the Royal Ballet at the Berlin Opera House in 1987





Rare mistake: This checked coat, which was worn on an official visit to Venice in 1985 was dubbed ‘the horse blanket’ by the Press


This striking Gina Fratini for Hartnell sari-inspired white silk chiffon gown trimmed with pearlised sequins and beads was first unveiled for a startlingly sexy official portrait by Terence Donovan in 1990


The floor-length bandeau gown and matching scarf were premiered, appropriately, at the Cannes Film Festival of 1987



Cauliflower cheese

  



Serves 4

Salt

1 large cauliflower, cut into florets

200g Parmesan or cheddar cheese

For the béchamel sauce

50g unsalted butter extra for greasing dish

60g plain flour

500ml milk

50ml cream (optional)


Preheat the oven to 180c/fan 160c/gas 4.

Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, season the water with salt and add the cauliflower florets. Cook the cauliflower florets until they are tender, but have a slight resistance when you test them by inserting a small knife. Drain and set aside until the florets stop steaming.

 To make the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over a low-medium heat. Add the flour and stir for 4-5 minutes.

Pour in the milk and cream, if using, and cook for 10-15 minutes on a gentle heat, stirring with a whisk. Add the cauliflower florets to the sauce, and mix so they are submerged or well coated in the sauce.

 Butter a suitably sized ovenproof dish. 

Sprinkle a layer of cheese across the base of the dish. Lay half the béchamel-coated florets in the dish and sprinkle with half of the cheese. Add the rest of the cauliflower and the remaining cheese. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until browned to your liking.  




 

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Beautiful Movie Costumes


The movie Mirror Mirror



Costume Designer Eiko Ishioka pulled silhouettes from the 16th to 19th century 





1988 Shari Headley wore the original oversized princess gown to marry Eddie Murphy in Coming to America





Cinderella Fairy Godmother dress detail




When Lady Tremaine hears that the Prince has invited every maiden in the land to the Royal Ball she rushes to secure the services of a local seamstress to make three new exquisite garments for her and her daughters to try and catch the eye and win the hand of the prince. 

The acid green dress is made of silk charmeuse, inspired by 40's Dior with hint of 19th century thrown in.

 Cinderella's Stepmother chooses a green dress, symbolising her envious and greedy personality.








The Phantom of the Opera












THE SERENITY PRAYER

GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY
TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE;
COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN;
AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME;
ENJOYING ONE MOMENT AT A TIME;
ACCEPTING HARDSHIPS AS THE PATHWAY TO PEACE;
TAKING, AS HE DID, THIS SINFUL WORLD
AS IT IS, NOT AS I WOULD HAVE IT;
TRUSTING THAT HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT
IF I SURRENDER TO HIS WILL;
THAT I MAY BE REASONABLY HAPPY IN THIS LIFE
AND SUPREMELY HAPPY WITH HIM
FOREVER IN THE NEXT.
AMEN.

--REINHOLD NIEBUHR