a Cup of Mimi: March 2009

Monday, March 30, 2009

Harper's Island Premiere

CBS is set to premiere a 13-episode murder mystery that will run from April to July. HARPER'S ISLAND is about a group of family and friends who travel to a secluded island off the coast of Seattle for a destination wedding. This island is famous for a streak of unsolved murders from seven years ago. Although they've come to laugh and to love, what they don't know is they've also come... to die. As the wedding festivities begin, friendships are tested and secrets exposed as a murderer claims victims, one by one, transforming the wedding week of fun and celebration into a terrifying struggle for survival.

In every episode, someone is killed and every person is a suspect, from the wedding party to the island locals. By the end of the 13 episodes, all questions will be answered, the killer will be revealed and only a few will survive.

Get ready for the exciting new murder mystery. Don't miss the broadcast premiere of HARPER'S ISLAND on Thursday CBS, April 9 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen.

Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?

#1 New York Times bestseller Nicholas Sparks turns his unrivaled talents to a new tale about love found and lost, and the choices we hope we'll never have to make.

ColourLovers palette for your website

COLOURlovers™, a color design community for creative inspiration. A resource that monitors and influences color trends. COLOURLovers gives the people who use color - whether for advertising campaign, product design, or even in architectural specification - a place to check out a world of color, compare color palettes, submit news and comments, and read color related articles and interviews. Here everyone who is interested in the practical applications of color can find an index of color trends. It is based on the open source and common license concept.

Here you can select a color palette and apply different pattern styles to it. You can also customize your own color and share it on the community. The strawberry mousse is one of my favorite you can also create patterned styles out of this color palette like the Pink Cotton and Pink Plaid on right side.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Blog,Tweet,Youtube,Flicker your way to Earthhour

PHOTO Take a photo on the night, upload it to flickr and add it to Earth Hour's flickr group.

VIDEO Make a video of your event, upload it to YouTube and add it to Earth Hour's YouTube group.

BLOG Write a live blog post during the event and tag it with earthhour or voteearth, and your location.

TWEET Update your Twitter on the night and write #earthhour or #voteearth and your #location in your update to tag it. http://twitter.com/earthhour

And still don't forget YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE March 28 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Related Post:
Earth Hour 2009 on March 28

Earth Hour 2009 on March 28

Photo Courtesy of www.earthhour.org

A free concert at Nathan Philips Square will be held on Saturday March 28, to celebrate Earth Hour. The concert presented by WWF will feature Suzie McNeil, Karl Wolf, Crash Parallel, The Matt York Band, and Samba Squad.

Date: Saturday March 28, 2009
Time: 6:45 p.m - 9:30 p.m ( Lights out at 8:30 p.m - 9:30 p.m.)
Location: Nathan Philips Square, City Hall

THIS SATURDAY 28 MARCH AT 8.30PM YOU CAN VOTE EARTH BY SWITCHING OFF YOUR LIGHTS FOR ONE HOUR - EARTH HOUR.

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A day at St.Lawrence Market

My friend took the courtesy to bring me in St.Lawrence Market last March break along with her daughter, my husband and I wanted to go there but whenever possible it was always postponed. It was a like an old marketplace full of different produce. From barbecue to fillet mignon, different cuts of meat prepared for easy cooking, cheese, poultry, seafood, fruits, utensils, bread, cakes and pastries, coffee, chocolates, organic products, condiments ( Asian, Japanese, French, Thai, Indian, etc ), trinkets, t-shirts, stuffs for pet, flowers, cat grass, restaurants and everything.

We found the cat grass here is cheaper compared to the one we see at the grocery. We loved the Calamari and Fries at Buster's Sea Cove. And we indulged ourselves to a bite of brownies at Eve's Temptations. I also found the Mirin I'm looking for on the Lower Level of South Market.

In addition to this they have The Market Kitchen which features a Celebrity Chef series, interactive demonstrations, dinner packages and hands-on cooking classes.

"Toronto, Canada's St. Lawrence Market, located west of Jarvis Street, between King Street East and the Esplanade, is owned by the City of Toronto. The City operates several programs at the Complex: the Farmers' Market, Market Carts, Occasional Use, Special Events, Rental Facilities and Permanent Tenancies. For information on any of these, call (416) 392-7120 or e-mail market@stlawrencemarket.com."

You can visit their website for more info on the operating hours and events http://www.stlawrencemarket.com .

Congee Star if you love congee

We often go to this Chinese restaurant at Don Mills. I can say the food is great, nice place, the serving is good and price is real cheap. No reason it wouldn't suit your budget. However at lunch and early before dinner this area is always packed. You have to be on their waiting list before you can get seated. When I crave for congee or noodles we go here.

Restaurant: Congee Star
Cuisine: Chinese/Asian
Address: 900 Don Mills Road ( North of Eglinton )Unit 12 North York, Toronto M3C 1V6
View Map Location: View Map/Route

Fresh Shrimp Congee $4.95/Shrimp Dumpling Noodle Soup $4.25

Aside from congee and noodles, they also have a wide variety of Chinese dishes. The restaurant also offers catering, party trays, and delivery with a minimum order of $25.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

LCD Text Generator for your website

Spice up your website or blog with text generators. I found a website where you can easily customize your text or even create LCD versions of it. It is also free of use , you can generate text to create welcome messages, thank-you messages, comments, or any words you like for your profiles, website, blog, or forums.

I have created an LCD Text of my message. Check out www.textspace.net to create your own style. They also have premade words in their gallery so you wouldn't have a hard time making it from scratch. The image's codes should be good for your Myspace, Friendster, Piczo, or other social networking profiles.

Text generator styles you can choose from:

Patterned Text · Glitter Text · Dynamic Glitter Text · Blinkie Text · Dynamic Blinkie Text · Blinkie Graphics · Animal Text · Dynamic Animal Text · Camouflage Text · Metallic Text · Floating Text · LCD Text · Multi-styled Text · Marquee Text ·Outlined Text
Related Post:
ColourLovers Palette for your website

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Toronto celebrated 175th birthday

Photo courtesy of www.toronto.ca

Toronto celebrated it's 175th birthday yesterday, as it was incorporated on March 6, 1834.
Now being the largest city in Canada and home to a diverse population of more than 2.6 million people.

From March 6th – 8th, 2009, City Hall will open its doors to the public and host a variety of events to commemorate this milestone.

Check the City of Toronto website http://www.toronto.ca and I recommend a fellow blogger's website if you want to see pictures of old Toronto torontobefore.blogspot.com .

Related Posts by Category:
Earth Hour 2009 on March 28
Tulips for a Cause
Toronto Santa Claus Parade

Friday, March 6, 2009

How to care for Tulips

from website of Ontario Lung Association - Tulip Care

Cut Tulips:
Here are just a few suggestions at getting the most bloom for your buck when purchasing or receiving cut tulips:

1. Remove any foliage (leaves) from the part of the stem that will be under water in the vase.
2. Cut white portion of the stem off, this helps for better water intake.
3. Change water frequently, the key to a long lasting cut tulip is clean fresh water and a lot of it.
4. Re-cut stems ever 4 to 5 days by removing only 1”. This will help to encourage the intake of water.
5. The cooler the room the longer your blooms will last.
6. Check water in the vase frequently.

Remember, tulips will always grow towards the light, potted or cut.

Home Remedy: Many believe that placing a penny in the water will prevent tulips from bolting. This has shown some improvements but always remember the key is clean, fresh water.

Potted Tulips:

1. In your home place in bright indirect light. Keep your potted tulip away from any heat sources such as heating vents, stereos and never place on top of a TV.
2. Set on a saucer, you don’t want the water seeping onto your furniture.
3. Keep moist but not too wet. Every other day watering is fine.
4. Fertilizing is not needed.
5. If you want to slow down the flowering period, place in a cool room. If you need your tulip to last for a specific occasion lets say Saturday reducing the heat and light will allow you to time it perfectly.

What do you do when it’s done flowering???

Place in the compost pile or plant in the garden after frost. However most forced tulip bulbs will not flower again but it’s always worth a try!!!

Related Post:
Tulips for a Cause

Tulips for a Cause

A first sign of spring. This nice yellow tulips was brought home by my husband last Wednesday. The company he's now working in signed up for the "Company’s Workplace Tulip Champion", in support of the 2009 Annual Tulip Day Campaign.

Tulips are sold at various locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Bunches of five fresh cut tulips sell for $6 and pots of six tulip bulbs sell for $8.

Proceeds from Tulip Day will help The Lung Association www.on.lung.ca make a difference by providing resources, support and vital funds for research in lung disease.

In addition to this there's a second one I think, bringing tulips home for your wife is another good cause, not just for a healthy lung also for a happy heart.

Related Post:
How to care for Tulips

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Taylor Swift on CSI Las Vegas

Country-pop singer Taylor Swift does her small screen debut in tonight's episode of CSI Las Vegas titled "Turn, Turn, Turn". Taylor plays Haley Jones, a complex teen who ended in tragic consequences. Watch her tonight at 9pm on CTV/CBS(US/Canada).

"With 'CSI: Las Vegas,' it kind of pairs up all of the things that I'm obsessed with, other than music," she said about her passion for video editing. "When I see really cool editing and really cool effects done, I admire it, and I like to go back and watch it again."

Anoop Desai on the wildcard round

Yey! I'm almost low in spirits thought he wouldn't be given a chance. From the 1st call to the picks on the wildcard round I'm anticipating...then came the 7th call he's still not in. But then the last to be called ... Anoop Desai. And looking at him on TV seems he wasn't expecting it , little bit shocked and overwhelmed. He's really one of my picks ... go Anoop and make it to the American Idols wildcard. Maybe next time a really good song choice would matter a lot.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

My Faves on American Idol Season 8 : Group 3

Lil Rounds 23 years old
Home: Memphis, TN
Audition: Kansas City, MO
Top 12

This may be the first time on this season I heard Simon Cowell says "Brillliant". All i can say also is Wow! when she performed Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You Babe" real good and strong voice. Looking forward to see her best performance on the next rounds.

Scott MacIntyre 23 years old
Home: Scottsdale, AZ
Audition: Phoenix, AZ
Top 12

A pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. A talented individual who continuously is an inspiration. Visually impaired since birth and as he had quoted on the show "it's like you're seeing through the holes of a straw". He's the 1st contestant on the audition I got interested in and got me checking the net for his profile.

My Faves on American Idol Season 8 : Group 2

Adam Lambert 26 years old
Home: Los Angeles, CA
Audition: San Francisco, CA
Top 12
Despite the not so good pictures of him spreading on the web what I like is when he performs and his very sharp-edged vocals. He reminds me of Steven Tyler lead singer of Aerosmith.

Allison Iraheta 16 years old
Home: Los Angeles, CA
Audition: San Francisco, CA
Top 12
This girl can really rock. Only sixteen years old but can truly perform good on stage. A junior high and the youngest on the pack. She started singing at age 5 and won a Spanish-language TV singing contest "Quinceanera," a Telemundo reality show.

Related Posts:
My faves on American Idol Season 8 : Group 3
My faves on American Idol Season 8 : Group 1

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Brida: Do you believe in soulmates?

A story of a young Irish girl, has long been interested in various aspects of magic but is searching for something more. As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to become a witch.

“I liked it, its a light read. The pacing is not that fast. As the author Paulo Coelho dwells more on life's stories and self discoveries. You will still find this an interesting read and learn something from the story as the characters are torn into decisions on goal-setting, destiny, love, responsibility.” *** ( 3stars "I like it" ) My shelfari permalink review.

My favorite quotes from the book:

"Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day" - Brida's father
"What is now proved was once only imagined"- William Blake
‘But how will I know who my Soul mate is?’ ‘By taking risks,’ Wicca said to Brida. ‘By risking failure, disappointment, disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love. As long as you keep looking, you will triumph in the end.’

Monday, March 2, 2009

My Faves on American Idol Season 8 : Group 1

Anoop Desai 21 years old
Home: Chapel Hill, NC
Audition: Kansas City, MO

I like his Soul/R&B style songs however his performance on the 1st eliminatuion didn't gain much votes from the audience and judges.Based from his performance on the 1st elimination , Simon says his chosen song "Angel of Mine" doesn't fit his age. Still hoping he can have another chance and be picked on the wildcard.

Danny Gokey 28 years old
Home: Milwaukee, WI
Audition: Kansas City, MO
Top 12

A church music teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Danny Gokey is also the president and founder of a non-profit organization. Plays the piano and loves salsa dancing. His pop/rock version of Mariah Carey's "Hero" made it to the Top 12.

Create Personal Signature Online

Want to create your own personalized signature online? Try one by visiting www.mylivesignature.com. MyLiveSignature offers you everything necessary to create both static and animated signatures and add them to your email messages, to blogs, to your posts on forums and on websites. I have created my own version below.

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3. Write your signature with a pencil, pen or a felt-tip pen on a sheet of paper, scan the sheet and let our designers create the signature by sending the scanned image via a special form.

You can download a signature to your computer for future use, use your signature link, or your generated signature id.

MyLiveSignature prices
Create a signature imitation using the Wizard FREE
Order a realistic signature from scanned image $9.95
Order signature animation $19.95

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Idle time payoff

Been idle this few days on updating my blog. I just can't turn down the books I'm reading and going gaga on tweaking my blogger design. Well it pays off , two things : finished the book in no time and liked my new blogger design. Though it still needs some adjustment i'll stick to it for now.