February is a very romantic month. Florists and jewelers do their best to get men caught up in the moment—maybe leading to some beautiful, some unusual and some downright stupid proposals. The following are some excerpts from an article on ELITEDAILY.COM. Some made me laugh, most made me shake my head and a few made me wonder who raised these guys.
From: ELITEDAILY.COM:
Bad Food Proposals
My best friend just got engaged and when her SO proposed they were in a little french deli. She had just put a massive mouthful of pie in her face when she saw he had got down on one knee. She was so shocked she spat the pie out all over herself, all over him, all over everything. She just sort of nodded … it was very like her to do something like that so it’s all fine but still … I don’t think he was expecting pie in his face.
I knew a guy who was at McDonalds with his girlfriend one time, and as a joke he wrapped a fry around her finger and said, “Will you McMarry me?” She started crying and called her mom and like started planning the wedding the next day. He hadn’t meant to propose but he didn’t have the heart to tell her so, so he just married her.
Bait & Switch
Saw a couple in a jewelry store when my wife and I were looking. Guy asks to see a ring, kneels, “will you marry me?”. She flips….ohmygod!ohmygod!ohmygod!ohmygod! yes yes yes!! He says “great!” then hands the ring back to the employee and tries to leave the store. He proposed with a borrowed ring. Tries to explain to the girl he couldn’t afford the ring but wanted to propose correctly. She slaps him so hard my face hurt (she put her whole body into the slap) and starts screaming about how her mother was right, etc. etc. No clue if they ever got together, but it was hard to watch.
Charming
My dad stuck the ring in a stick of deodorant, then told my mom she needed to use it. Small argument ensues when mom tells dad she does not need it.
Awkward
Pilot here. Guy asks me to fly him and his SO over a field, where 150 people had formed a heart and two rings. Huge show, I was really impressed. When she saw it, her response was: “Look at all those idiots! How ridiculous is that??” He did not ask his question that day.
I proposed on a dinner cruise and told her I was gonna throw her overboard if she said no. The couple next to us interrupted to ask if she needed help.
This will never be seen, but it’s too good not to mention. My friend’s girlfriend knew he had purchased a ring, and could not have been more excited about it. So when he told her to dress up nice, because he was taking her out for a fancy dinner, she was over the moon. All through the meal, she sat giddily on the edge of her seat. They had appetizers, dinner, dessert, and then… got back in the car to go home. Finally, she said, “What’s going on? Why aren’t aren’t you proposing?”
He apologized, and said he planned to, but the ring hadn’t gotten re-sized yet. She was crushed. Fast-forward a couple of hours, and they were lying in bed at the end of the night. My friend turned to his lady and said, “You should touch my penis.”
“No,” she said. “I’ve had a really disappointing night, and I don’t exactly feel sexy.”
Sometimes you just don’t feel romantic just because it’s the middle of February. For those people—and I am one of them—here’s a list of funny Valentine’s Day gifts to make that someone special in your life laugh. (And to me? A guy who can make me laugh, IS sexy and romantic!)
Love bugs, also known as the honeymoon or double-headed fly, are a species of march flies that are commonly found in parts of Central America and the southeastern United States.
Despite their seemingly affectionate name, these insects can become quite a nuisance, particularly during their mating seasons which occur twice a year. They are known for their unique mating behavior, where the male and female remain attached for several days.
Contrary to popular belief, love bugs do not bite or sting, making them harmless to humans. However, their sheer numbers, especially during their mating periods, can cause inconveniences.
They often swarm around highways, resulting in visibility issues for drivers and potential damage to vehicles due to their acidic body chemistry.
Love bugs, scientifically known as Plecia nearctica, are a species of fly that are quite common in parts of the United States, particularly in the southern regions. These small, red and black insects are often seen in large swarms, especially during their mating seasons in spring and late summer.
The name “love bug” is derived from their unique mating habits. After mating, the male and female remain attached to each other, flying in tandem for several days. This distinctive behavior, coupled with their striking red and black coloration, makes them easily recognizable and has earned them their romantic nickname.
Despite their endearing name, love bugs can be quite a nuisance. They are attracted to heat and the exhaust fumes of cars, often resulting in large numbers of these insects splattering on windshields and car grills.
Besides being a driving hazard, the acidic body fluids of love bugs can lead to paint damage if not removed promptly.
During their adult life, love bugs are often seen in large swarms, especially during their peak mating seasons in May and September. These swarms can be so dense that they cause visibility issues for drivers. It’s during these swarms that you may wonder where they all go.
In fact, their lifespan as adults is very short – only about three to four days. After mating, the females lay their eggs and then die, while the males die shortly after mating. This means that the swarms of love bugs disappear almost as quickly as they appear, leaving behind only their eggs to continue the cycle of life.
Today is the real Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthday! She was born February 7, 1867 and died February 10, 1957 and PBS.ORG had an interesting article on her.
From: PBS.ORG:
When the Ingalls family first began traversing the grassy frontier of America in their covered wagon — bouncing from Kansas to the Dakotas and Wisconsin and back, they had no idea that their stories would go on to become the stuff of folklore — woven in the very fabric of the modern American imagination, and forever memorialized in a series of books for children.
The author of these stories, Laura Ingalls Wilder, based the bestselling “Little House” series on her childhood and the simple joys and upheavals of the pioneer life alongside her family: Pa, Ma, her sisters and Jack the dog. But despite the author’s insistence that the books were purely biographical, the truth behind the stories was much more complex. The details and dealings of the characters did not always match up with reality. To help understand who the real Laura Ingalls Wilder was, we’ve compiled these sometimes lesser-known facts about the real life of this pioneering author.
1 She found publishing success later in life.
Wilder was in her 40s when she first began writing for small farming publications in the rural town of Mansfield, Missouri where she and her husband, Almanzo, lived at the time. She didn’t begin writing her first novel, “Pioneer Girl,” until she was in her 60s, with the help and encouragement of her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, who was already a successful author. With the Great Depression in full swing, however, the novel, which documented the harsh realities of life on the frontier, was not met with enthusiasm by publishers, who one by one rejected the novel. But Rose never gave up, and set about adapting her mother’s novel into stories for children – stories which would eventually form the basis of the “Little House” series. The first book in that series, “Little House in the Big Woods,” was published in 1932 when Wilder was 65.
2 Her first book was published 84 years after she wrote it.
Wilder’s very first novel may have been turned down numerous times when it was first presented to publishers in 1931, but the original manuscript of “Pioneer Girl” was preserved and posthumously published in 2014 — some 84 years after it was written. The annotated autobiography for adult audiences quickly climbed to the top of bestseller lists around the country, following the successes of Wilder’s other novels that were all sprung from this very first memoir.
3 She refused to say “obey” in her wedding vows.
In the last book of the series, “These Happy Golden Years,” Laura recounted the time she told Almanzo (known affectionately to her as Manly) that she would not utter the word “obey” when it came time to say their wedding vows. “I cannot make a promise that I will not keep,” she told Almanzo, and “even if I tried, I do not think I could obey anybody against my better judgement.” He simply replied: “I’d never expect you to.”
“Almanzo was perfectly competent and a strong, hard worker. But he was willing to defer to his wife,” said biographer William Anderson. “They had a unique partnership in their marriage before most marriages were organized in that fashion. Before Almanzo made any purchases or changes on the farm, they consulted together. And if he would do something rash without asking her, she made it known that she really didn’t care for that.
4 The couple faced many hardships early on that traumatized their only child.
The couple also fell on many hard times over the course of their long marriage — some of which were documented in the book, “The First Four Years.” The family survived natural disasters, crop failures, the loss of a son, severe cases of diphtheria that left Almanzo with limited use of his legs, and a house fire that burned everything they owned. When they eventually settled in Mansfield, the pair struggled to make ends meet, with each having to take on second and third jobs. Laura raised chickens and took in boarders while her husband worked in the apple orchard and delivered kerosene. Their daughter Rose also chipped in by picking and selling huckleberries.
Rose later wrote about the trauma of her upbringing in a 1926 article for Cosmopolitan, saying: “No one knew what went on in my mind. Because I loved my parents, I would not let them suspect that I was suffering. I concealed from them how much I felt their poverty, their struggles and disappointments. These filled my life, magnified like horrors in a dream.”
5 She was distantly related to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
They were fifth cousins, one time removed, to be exact. But Laura Ingalls Wilder couldn’t stand FDR and was extremely critical of him and his efforts to push forward the “New Deal” — a series of reforms, projects, and programs designed to help Americans recover financially from the Great Depression.
“Politically, she’s writing at a time when FDR is in the White House and is apparently never leaving, and she doesn’t like him very much at all,” said Sarah Miller, author of “Caroline: Little House Revisited.”
“Laura thought that everybody was starting to whine in response to the New Deal. She just couldn’t stand it. It made her sick,” said Christine Woodside, author of “Libertarians on the Prairie.”
6 She found an unlikely audience in Japan.
The sixth book in the “Little House” series became the first book that was approved for translation and publication in Japan during the American occupation at the end of World War II. General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), granted permission for “The Long Winter” to be published under the title “Nagai Fuyu” in 1949. The books recounting tales of pioneer life — of hardships and rugged individualism and finding joy in simplicity — really resonated with audiences in Japan where they quickly gained widespread popularity.
7 Her name was removed from a children’s literature award in 2018.
While the “Little House” books remain in print and are still popular today, the series has also received its fair share of criticism because of its racist and dehumanizing portrayals of Native and Black Americans — a reflection of attitudes shared among many white settlers during the time the books were written. Some of the more egregious lines in the books were later amended by publishers, but certain racist images and statements remain in newer printed versions. The controversy caused the American Library Association to rename its Laura Ingalls Wilder Lifetime Achievement Award to “The Children’s Literature Legacy Award” in 2018, and has prompted scholars and authors to call for the books to be taught to children within the proper context.
8 The “Little House” books became a global phenomenon that launched a thousand spin offs.
The “Little House” series has become so iconic over the years that it has prompted several spin-off novels, various musicals, radio plays, a Japanese anime series, parades, fashion shows, festivals, and recreations, including the annual Wilder Pageant. Reruns of the iconic “Little House on the Prairie” TV show that first appeared on screens in the US in the ’70s and ’80s are still aired in over 30 countries today. In December 2020, Paramount Television and Anonymous Content announced a one-hour dramatic reboot of that TV series. The books were so beloved that the Wilder even had a historic highway that runs across Minnesota and South Dakota and a crater on Venus named after her.
National Peppermint Patty Day is officially February 11th so I wanted to research some interesting facts about my favorite candy. This article from FOODFACTSHUB.COM details facts about the candy AND Charles Schulz’s tomboy character.
From: FOODFACTSHUB.COM:
Are you a fan of the refreshing taste of mint combined with rich chocolate? Or perhaps you’re intrigued by the lovable characters from the Peanuts comic strip? Either way, you’re in for a treat as we explore some fascinating facts about peppermint patty – both the candy and the beloved character. This article will take you on a journey through the delicious world of York Peppermint Patties and the charming universe of Charles M. Schulz’s Peppermint Patty.
10 Intriguing Facts About Peppermint Patty
1 The Birth of a Classic Candy
The York Peppermint Pattie was created in 1940 by Henry Kessler, founder of the York Cone Company in York, Pennsylvania. Initially, this minty treat was only sold in the northeastern United States before going national in 1975.
2 A Snappy Quality Control
In the early days of production, each pattie had to pass a unique “snap test.” If it didn’t break cleanly in the middle, it wasn’t packaged for sale. This ensured that every York Peppermint Pattie met the highest standards of quality and texture.
3 A Massive Production
The popularity of peppermint patties is undeniable. An estimated 1.5 billion York Peppermint Patties are produced each year, satisfying the cravings of mint-chocolate lovers worldwide.
4 The Perfect Blend
The classic York Peppermint Pattie consists of a dark chocolate coating over a peppermint filling. This simple yet irresistible combination has stood the test of time, delighting taste buds for decades.
5 Nutritional Profile
For those watching their calorie intake, a full-size York Peppermint Pattie contains 140 calories, 3g fat, and 32g carbohydrates. While it’s still a treat, it’s relatively lower in fat compared to many other candies.
6 A Comic Strip Sensation
Peppermint Patty, the character from the Peanuts comic strip, made her debut on August 22, 1966. Created by Charles M. Schulz, she quickly became a fan favorite with her unique personality and style.
7 What’s in a Name?
While most fans know her as Peppermint Patty, her full name is actually Patricia Reichardt. This little-known fact adds depth to her character and distinguishes her from the candy that shares her nickname.
8 A Sporty Personality
Peppermint Patty is portrayed as a tomboy and a natural athlete in the Peanuts universe. Her love for sports and competitive nature make her stand out among the other characters.
9 Academic Struggles
Despite her athletic prowess, Peppermint Patty often struggles with academics. This aspect of her character makes her relatable to many readers who may face similar challenges.
10 A Groundbreaking Character
Peppermint Patty was a pioneering character in many ways. She spoke her mind, wore comfortable clothing, and excelled in sports at a time when such portrayals of female characters were rare in comics.
The Sweet History of York Peppermint Patties
A Minty Fresh Beginning
The story of the York Peppermint Pattie begins in 1940 in York, Pennsylvania. Henry Kessler, the founder of the York Cone Company, set out to create a candy that was both refreshing and indulgent. His creation, the York Peppermint Pattie, quickly gained popularity in the northeastern United States. The unique combination of dark chocolate and peppermint filling was an instant hit. The crisp mint center, enrobed in a thin layer of dark chocolate, provided a satisfying snap and a burst of flavor that set it apart from other candies of the time.
From Local Favorite to National Sensation
For over three decades, the York Peppermint Pattie remained a regional delight, beloved by those in the northeastern states. However, its popularity couldn’t be contained for long. In 1975, the decision was made to take the peppermint patty national. The expansion was a resounding success. People across the country fell in love with the refreshing taste and unique texture of the York Peppermint Pattie. Today, it’s estimated that a staggering 1.5 billion patties are produced each year, cementing its status as a classic American candy.
The Peppermint Patty Production Process
Quality Control: The Snap Test
In the early days of production, York Peppermint Patties were subject to a unique quality control measure known as the “snap test.” Each pattie had to break cleanly in the middle when snapped. If it didn’t pass this test, it wasn’t packaged for sale.
This rigorous standard ensured that every York Peppermint Pattie had the perfect texture – crisp enough to snap satisfyingly, yet soft enough to melt in your mouth. While modern production methods have evolved, the commitment to quality remains a hallmark of the brand.
The Perfect Recipe
The York Peppermint Pattie consists of two main components: a peppermint filling and a dark chocolate coating. The filling is made from sugar, corn syrup, and oil, flavored with peppermint oil for that signature cool taste. This mixture is then formed into discs and allowed to set.
Once the filling is ready, each disc is coated in a thin layer of dark chocolate. The chocolate is tempered to give it a glossy finish and that satisfying snap when you bite into it. The result is a perfect balance of mint and chocolate, crisp and smooth, sweet and refreshing.
The Power of Peppermint
While peppermint patties shouldn’t be considered a health food, the peppermint oil they contain does have some potential benefits:
Digestive Aid: Peppermint is known for its ability to soothe digestive discomfort and reduce bloating.
Breath Freshener: The strong mint flavor can help freshen breath, albeit temporarily.
Mood Booster: The scent of peppermint has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress in some studies.
Mental Alertness: Some research suggests that the scent of peppermint may enhance memory and increase alertness.
Remember, while these potential benefits are interesting, they come from the peppermint oil itself, not necessarily from eating peppermint patties. Always enjoy treats in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Peppermint Patty: The Peanuts Character
Meet Patricia Reichardt
While we’ve explored the sweet world of the candy, there’s another Peppermint Patty that deserves our attention – the beloved character from Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip.
Peppermint Patty, whose full name is Patricia Reichardt, made her debut in the Peanuts universe on August 22, 1966. With her freckles and chin-length brown hair (which she describes as “mousy-blah”), Peppermint Patty quickly became a fan favorite.
A Unique Personality
Peppermint Patty is known for her distinctive character traits:
Tomboy Nature: She’s often seen wearing shorts and sandals, bucking traditional gender norms of the time.
Athletic Prowess: Peppermint Patty excels in various sports, showcasing her natural athletic ability.
Casual Attitude: Her laid-back demeanor is reflected in her speech, often referring to Charlie Brown as “Chuck.”
Academic Struggles: Despite her athletic talents, Peppermint Patty often finds herself challenged in the classroom.
Loyal Friend: Despite her tough exterior, she’s a steadfast and loyal friend to those close to her.
Relationships and Dynamics
Peppermint Patty’s relationships with other characters add depth to her personality:
Charlie Brown: She has a complicated relationship with Charlie Brown, often teasing him but also harboring a secret crush.
Marcie: Her best friend, who calls her “Sir,” highlighting Peppermint Patty’s tomboyish nature.
Snoopy: She often mistakes Snoopy for a “funny-looking kid with a big nose.”
Cultural Impact
Peppermint Patty’s character was groundbreaking for its time. She represented a type of girl rarely seen in comics – outspoken, athletic, and comfortable in her own skin. Her character helped promote gender equality in sports, influenced by Schulz’s friendship with tennis player Billie Jean King. While some have interpreted Peppermint Patty as a representation of LGBTQ+ identity, Charles Schulz stated that this was not his intention. Regardless, her non-conformity to traditional gender roles has made her an icon for many.
Ivory is an off-white color resembling the color of egg shells. Ivory roses symbolize grace and charm. If you know someone who has those traits, these flowers can make a wonderful gift for them. They’re usually given to people you care about without romantic intentions. Some people also view these roses as elegant and perfect.
13 Pearl
Pearl roses look similar to white and ivory. They’re a symbol of thoughtfulness and perfection. They’re a great way to let someone know you’re thinking of them without any romantic feelings involved.
14 Cream
Cream roses share meanings with both ivory and pearl roses. Thus, they symbolize charm and thoughtfulness. Like the other off-white colors, they’re a great way to show platonic appreciation for someone.
15 Lavender
Lavender roses often symbolize wonder and enchantment. They can be used to portray a special love, such as the kind that only happens once in a lifetime. They represent all the splendor and mystery that true love brings.
16 Purple
Purple roses are a sign of passion and infatuation. People who give purple roses are likely expressing their lasting feelings in a relationship and searching for a deeper connection. Purple roses are less intense versions of red roses, so they may lead to new relationship milestones.
17 Blue
Since blue roses don’t exist in nature, they represent mystery and uniqueness. They symbolize something that is impossible or unattainable. They are often given to someone as a way to tell them to dream big and never give up.
18 Green
Green is one of the most common colors in nature, so green roses symbolize growth and abundance. They’re also a sign of good news and new beginnings. They can be used to encourage or congratulate someone.
19 Mint
Mint is a more playful version of green. So, these roses usually represent cheerfulness and new beginnings. Like green roses, they’re used to cheer on someone during a new milestone in their lives.
20 Black
Like blue roses, black roses don’t occur naturally. So, they’re a rare and mysterious find. They usually symbolize death and mourning, so they’re a common decoration for funerals. On a more positive note, they could be a sign of a new beginning or a big change in life.
21 Multicolored
Any rose that has more than one color on it, such as rainbow roses or a mix of blue and pink, could fall into this category. Multicolored roses usually share a combination of meanings. For example, if a rose has red and yellow, it could be given to a friend you’ve developed romantic feelings for. Multicolored roses are usually vibrant, so they’re great for party decorations.
22 Assortment of Colors
Sometimes, you may receive more than one rose color. This is another way to convey multiple rose meanings at once. However, there’s not always a deeper meaning to a mixture of roses. In some cases, it’s just a vibrant decoration for a celebration. They’re a good gift for someone who wants beautiful flowers without having to worry about a deeper meaning.
Today is National Carrot Cake Day, so of course, today’s offering is carrot cake!
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups canola oil
2 cups finely grated carrots
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup well-drained crushed pineapple
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional chopped nuts
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, oil, carrots and vanilla; beat until combined. Stir in pineapple, coconut and nuts.
Pour into a greased 13×9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost cake. Sprinkle with additional nuts. Store in the refrigerator.
Thinking of buying roses for someone this Valentine’s Day or maybe expecting to receive roses? This article details the meaning of the color of roses and what they “say” or what the sender wants them to say.
From: Color-Meaning.com:
Buying flowers for someone can be a stressful process because there’s a chance they may misunderstand your intentions. Many people perceive giving roses as a romantic gesture, but not every color of rose is seen as a gift of deep love. So, what does each rose color mean? Understanding different roses may help you choose the best type to give someone.
Do Roses Come in Every Color?
“Roses are red” is what we’re used to hearing, but it’s not always true. They may not be the most colorful flowers in the world, but roses can come in all sorts of colors, including multi-colored varieties. Shades of red will always be the most common, but there are plenty of other natural colors roses can be. If a rose can’t be produced in a certain color, sellers may dye the flower to give it a desirable hue. The only colors that you won’t find naturally in roses are blue and black. Even though other flowers can naturally be blue, blue doesn’t exist in the rose gene pool. Some flowers can have black pigments, but no flower can be completely black naturally.
Top of Form
Rose Color Meanings
Roses typically symbolize love and romance, but the color of the rose could change that meaning. So, let’s take a look at what 22 different rose colors mean.
1 Red
2 Light Pink
Roses come in many shades of pink, each with different meanings. Light pink is often a sign of innocence and appreciation. They’re a great gift for a family member or close friend to show that they’re important to you. They may also symbolize joy and gentleness.
3 Medium Pink
Most pink roses are a symbol of grace and femininity. They may also be associated with gratitude. They’re often used to decorate celebrations, and they can be given as a way to congratulate someone.
4 Dark Pink
Dark pink is a gentler version of red. Instead of passionate love, it represents a form of admiration and gratitude. Deep pink roses are often given to people to let them know you appreciate them, and they can be given for any type of love, whether it’s family, friends, or a partner.
5 Burgundy
Burgundy roses are similar to red roses, but they’re slightly darker. Thus, they’re a sign of passion and devotion. They’re almost always given as a gift to a significant other. These roses are viewed as stunning and beautiful.
6 Peach
Peach roses are often given to someone as a sign of thanks and appreciation. They’re a down-to-earth way to show someone that you’re grateful for them. Some people may also give them to a loved one when expressing sympathy.
7 Salmon
Salmon roses aren’t quite red, and they’re more vibrant than peach. They’re a sign of excitement and desire. They let the receiver know that you’re thrilled to be spending time with them.
8 Coral
Coral is similar to salmon, and it shares many of the same meanings. It’s a sign of enthusiasm and desire, so it’s a fun alternative to red roses.
9 Orange
Orange is one of the most vibrant rose colors you can buy. These flowers symbolize fascination and energy. Like similar colors, they can also be a sign of desire, excitement, and enthusiasm. They’re perfect for people who love when attention is drawn toward them.
10 Yellow
Yellow roses are a symbol of friendship and joy, so they should be given to friends and family rather than romantic partners. In the Victorian Era, yellow roses were a sign of jealousy and envy, but over time, they changed to mean the opposite. These flowers are the perfect way to tell someone they’re a great friend.
11 White
White roses symbolize new love and innocence. They’re also a sign of purity and youthfulness. They’re the perfect gift to give in the early stages of a relationship. However, these roses are sometimes also used as wedding decorations.
The name kissing gourami (or kisser fish) is derived from what appears to be kissing between fish; however, scientists still are not sure of the true purpose of the behavior. It is believed to be a harmless territory-challenging behavior that generally occurs between two males. This conjecture is supported by the fact that aging seems to diminish the need to challenge one another. Also with age, the desire for mating territories diminishes.
The popular kissing gourami, commonly called a kisser, originates from the Indonesian island of Java and is also found in Borneo, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is commonly cultivated in the southern Indochina region as a food fish. Today, virtually all specimens sold in the United States are commercially bred in Florida. Additionally, Thailand and Singapore commercially breed this species for the aquarium trade as well as for food consumption.
In nature, kissers are usually found in slow-moving, heavily vegetated ponds or marshes. They are a hardy fish that will tolerate a range of water conditions. These fish have a hidden structure called the labyrinth organ. It enables them to take oxygen from the air, allowing them to survive in waters with low oxygen levels.
In fact, the gills of labyrinth fish are usually not even capable of obtaining enough oxygen from the water to survive. Therefore, they must satisfy most of their oxygen requirements by gulping air at the surface of the water. For this reason, it’s essential to provide them with access to the water surface in all tank zones.
Kissers need warm water, and they need to consume plenty of plant matter. As a habitat, use artificial plants or sturdy live plants such as Java fern or Java moss. Tender live plants are likely to be eaten down to the stem.
In nature, kissers grow to a size of a foot or more, but in captivity, they generally remain about half that size. However, even a small kisser will grow too large for an aquarium smaller than 30 gallons, so this species should not be kept in mini-tanks. With proper care, it is not unusual for these fish to live well over a decade.
Kissing gouramis are omnivorous fish. On the inside surface of the kisser’s obvious lips are rows of fine teeth which are used to graze on algae and vegetable matter. Periodically provide fresh romaine lettuce, cooked zucchini, or peas to keep your kissers in optimal health. But take care when providing fresh vegetables, as uneaten portions will quickly foul the water.
They should be provided with plenty of spirulina-based foods as well as fresh vegetables when possible. Kissers also accept a variety of protein foods, including flake, frozen, freeze-dried, and small live foods, such as tubifex and brine shrimp.
Gender Differences
Both sexes of kissing gourami look almost identical, from their oval shape to their thick fleshy lips. It is almost impossible to determine the sex of these fish until they spawn. At the mating period, the body of the female becomes round as it fills with eggs.
I love, love, love this candle. It does require being able to drill the hole for the tea light though. Hubby and I are going to attempt these. We have tons of birch trees around!
Equipment
Knife
Drill with drill bits including 1 3/8″ spade bit or slightly larger
Materials
1 section birch wood
Tealight candle
Colored pencil(s) light brown
Pencil
Instructions
Trace the tealight in the center of the birch wood piece using a pencil.
Begin drilling with the spade bit, placing the center of the bit in the center of the tealight circle. Rock the drill back and forth a little while drilling to get a good hole.
Sketch the design you want on the front of the birch pillar using a pencil.
Carve the design on the pencil lines using a knife.
Shade in the design using a light brown colored pencil.
Put a tealight candle in the top of the birch candle holder to finish.
Heart Bookmark
The instructions for this bookmark use a cricut machine but I think there’s an abundantly easier method for those of us without those machines. Simply cut a heart out of construction paper. Cut a second heart the same size, but add ¼ inch tabs to the sides of the heart. Place the 2 hearts together, fold and glue the tabs around to the back of the second heart. Write your message on the top. Easy peasy.
SOURCE: THEPIONEERWOMAN.COM
The gift basket in the opening picture is my idea of the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day: a mug, a little Styrofoam, whatever candy the giftee loves the most, some ribbons and doodads from the dollar store and BOOM! A happy valentine!
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Sew Colorful 