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Hewlett Packard Webcam Glitch - Are HP Computers Racist?
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Misplace your keys and glasses twice a day?
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An uncluttered liquor cabinet in time for New Year’s Eve | Unclutterer
An uncluttered liquor cabinet in time for New Year’s Eve
With only five days left before New Year’s Eve, many people’s minds are already turning to their next round of celebrations. I’ve already started to think about the holiday — what resolutions will I make, what silly hat will I wear to the party, and what specialty drink will I have?
In the celebratory spirit, I thought it might be appropriate to talk about keeping an uncluttered liquor cabinet. Similar to traditional food pantries and linen closets, most liquor cabinets have a bad habit of things going into them faster than items coming out. Before you know it, you’ll find you have three open bottles of vermouth, two dripping bottles of Rose’s lime juice and another of the grenadine, and five bottles of the exact same type of gin. (Well, at least this is what I found lingering in my liquor cabinet.)
Start by pulling everything out of your liquor cabinet and setting it on your dining table. Group like items together — shakers with shakers, vodka with vodka, etc.
Now, evaluate what you have. Unless you are a serious socialite, you probably don’t need to own three martini shakers or nine bottles of rum. Pull out any excess or expired pieces. (Expired? Remember that vermouth is made with wine, so after a few months lingering open in your cabinet it starts to taste “off.” I haven’t found evidence that it’s actually bad for you, but its flavor is definitely shot by the time it’s been open for a year. Bailey’s can curdle, and some sweet liqueurs will fade.)
Pour down the drain any liquor past its prime. Freecycle or Craigslist extra bar utensils (now is a great time to do this as other people are gearing up for their NYE gatherings). And, start calling your friends throwing end of the year parties to see if they might want to take extra bottles off your hands. Either that or decide to throw a party yourself to work through the extras.
When putting bottles of liquor back in your cabinet, consider these storage tips from the article “What is the Shelf Life of Distilled Spirits?“:
Tips for increasing liquor shelf life:
- Keep opened bottles sealed tightly. Use the original cap, a replacement cork or the wine corks that also take the air out of the bottle.
- Never store liquor with speed pourers unless you’re using them, these allow air to get inside the bottle.
- Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold. Also, keep your liquor cabinet away from an exterior wall.
- Avoid bright, direct light.
Similar to how you sorted items on your dining table, return items to your cabinet storing like things with like things. Put shorter bottles in front and taller bottles in back so that you can always see what you’re storing.
Also, check out the fun book Ultimate Guide to Spirits and Cocktails. Have fun starting the new year with an uncluttered liquor cabinet!
***
Don’t forget! If you’re in the Chicago area, join Erin and some of the Unclutterer staff at The Book Cellar on Monday, December 28, any time between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
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Posted by Erin on Dec 26, 2009 | Comments | http://unclutterer.com/?p=7749" title="?Post" rel="nofollow">
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13 comments posted
Posted by Bevin - 12/26/2009
Wait… what? People have enough booze left over to necessitate decluttering?
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Seriously though, good advice. I didn’t know that about vermouth!
Posted by julia - 12/26/2009
Vermouth…I use only small amounts of it but have never seen a small bottle of vermouth for sale. Too bad; a lot gets wasted when it’s time to throw it out.
Posted by Elaine - 12/26/2009
people… have trouble finishing booze? ’splain please. I don’t understand this concept.
Posted by Shana - 12/26/2009
Indeed. Where’s the (slightly tongue-in-cheek) suggestion that you drink the duplicates and old stuff? (I guess it’s only fair for Erin to get a new-mom pass just this once.
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Good news is that vermouth is cheap. It’s the higher-priced short-shelf-life stuff that’s problematic….
Posted by Kathryn Fenner - 12/26/2009
@Julia– you can enhance a lot of recipes with vermouth–white or red. Think about the kinds of foods that get better with a shot of wine and some herbs….Chicken, fish, pork….Beans (like pintos and navy and black beans) can be made really special with some top quality butter or oil and a shot of vermouth….sauces….
I was grinning with the notion that one could probably find some appreciative folk on the street instead of pouring spirits down the drain, but that would be wrong….
Posted by infmom - 12/26/2009
Just toss ‘em all. Why start every new year feeling like the bottom of a birdcage?
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Posted by Mama T-Mag - 12/26/2009
@Julia Ask! The owner of my liquor store can get me anything. And his favorite thing is little bottles of everything because they are easier to sell. If you don’t like it your only out a couple bucks. If you like it he’s got or can order a bigger bottle. Ask if small bottles can be ordered.
Posted by Elizabeth - 12/27/2009
Ha ha ha! I pre-empted this article by several weeks when for some random reason I decided to go through my collection of bottles sometime around the start of December. Spirits not a problem. Tons of wine and champagne (mostly gifts which I have yet to get through). And for some completely unfathomable reason 6 (!!!) bottles of different types of mulled wine that I seem to have accumulated over the years without noticing. Time does not seem to have destroyed them yet, though.
Posted by Elizabeth - 12/27/2009
Oh and quick tip (apologies if you already know this). But if you have opened a bottle of wine and can’t face finishing off what’s left remember that you can freeze it (red or white) in ice cube trays and then use the individual cubes to flavour gravies, sauces, stews etc.
Posted by OogieM - 12/27/2009
Store opened cream spirits (Bailey’s and Emmets) in the refrigerator. They last a longer time that way.
Posted by kate - 12/27/2009
@ Elizabeth….Thank you for that tip about freezing wine in ice cube trays. I had no idea…and I just keep it around forever until it turns into vinegar and I eventually pitch it.
Posted by c - 12/27/2009
Another great way to combat liquor cabinet clutter is to create or choose a “signature cocktail” or two for your party; you can even print up a cocktail menu with two or three items. It means someone might have to play bartender, but it also means far less waste, and a swankier environment.
Plus, if you plan wisely, you can use up what you have an excess of, control what new bottles your bring into your home —or both!!
Posted by Jackie Pettus - 12/27/2009
The Bailey’s label says to store it at 41-77 degrees F, but since it has cream in it I keep it in the refrigerator after opening. On the other hand, maybe I ought to toss it. I think it’s the same bottle I’ve had since 1980!
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Don't move a muscle! Snowboarder balances inches from edge of cliff
Don't move a muscle! Snowboarder balances just inches from edge of cliff
By Mail Foreign Service
Last updated at 1:33 PM on 18th December 2009
Clinging on for dear life on the edge of a towering cliff, this snowboarder is just inches away from certain death.
Austrian Kurt Welden, 31, realised he was heading for a cliff edge at the last minute and managed to stop in time.
Mr Welden had been enjoying the deep powdery snow at the Moelltal glacier in Carinthia, Austria when he travelled off the marked piste.
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Just inches away from certain death, Kurt Welden had a lucky escape when he spotted he was heading straight for the edge of this cliff
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The snowboarder lay flat on the snow and clung on, hoping that the snow would not give way
He managed to dig away the snow and hung on hoping that the board would not slip or the snow give way until he could be rescued.
It took rescue workers an hour to secure the area and eventually pull Welden free using a helicopter.
One said: 'The fear was that the snow that was at the edge of the cliff could have been dislodged, taking the man down with it.
'But in the end we managed to pull him to safety. He was shocked but otherwise unhurt.'
The Mölltal Glacier has more than 35miles of pistes and has a snowboard Fun Park.
It is a popular resort for international ski and snowboard teams preparing themselves for big ski events.
At its highest point it is more than 9, 800 feet above sea level.
Last year British doctor Robert Bruce died after skiing off a cliff while snowboarding in Val D'Isere in the French Alps
He struck a rock at an off-limits area known as Face de la Bellegarde and then plunged more than 260ft to his death.
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The Moeltal glacier in Austria is popular with international ski teams
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Comments (31)
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not debate this issue live on our message boards.
The comments below have not been moderated.
Haha all that snow provbes NO global warming you are all so dum!
- Joe from America, America, USA, 21/12/2009 05:18
Not much global warming there!
- Michael J. Lee, Sheffield UK, 19/12/2009 17:21
Strange how everyone that gets in to trouble in this way is somewhere they are no supposed to be - then other people have to risk their lives to rescue them....
- Bren, Canada (ex Devon UK, 19/12/2009 17:19
idiot.
You NEVER ski off piste unless you know what is ahead of you.
Good work of the rescue teams
- AW, Surrey, 19/12/2009 17:09
Love it last time i looked it was 47 each
- pete, you aving a laugh.uk, 19/12/2009 16:08
JUMP you wuss JUMP.
- Boarder, Blackburn. Lancs., 19/12/2009 15:47
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Clean up!
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Thankful for a cold sore?
Today is the shortest day of the year; tomorrow the days begin to get longer. I am thankful for each minute of light we gain.
I am thankful to be home this week using up a few left over days of vacation. It is so nice to be puttering about the house before Christmas. I made shortbread yesterday. Today I will make a second batch and hopefully this time it will come out of the mold without breaking. It tasted good even though it was in chunks!
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Olympic Torch Relay
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Gratitude - Day 4
This afternoon I have been listening to very pleasant music on our local classical music station. They have been playing a mix of light classical mixed with some very good Christmas music. I am so grateful for good music!
It felt so good to be outside earlier. It was invigorating to walk in the sunshine and breathe deeply! I feel lucky to live near the lake; there is beauty all around me.
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The Gratitude Project- Day 3
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The Gratitude Project - Day 2
The Gratitude Project! I hope you will join me. I'm posting 3 things each day for the next 30 days that I'm actually truly grateful for, no matter how silly or small. Thanks to Facebook friend,Lynne Peters for this great idea!
Today is day 2 and I am almost ready to sleep. I am grateful for a pleasant evening with my son, grateful for laughter, and grateful for my laptop! Good nite!
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The Gratitude Project
The Gratitude Project! I hope you will join me. I'm posting 3 things each day for the next 30 days that I'm actually truly grateful for, no matter how silly or small. Thanks to Facebook friend,Lynne Peters for this great idea!
Today (Day 1) I am grateful for my family (Craig, Glenn and Grace), my peaceful and comfortable home and my camera that is with me everywhere.
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Relationships I have had: Houseplants

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Bambi and Thumper
Bambi & Thumper ......really do exist!

'What an incredible photographer to have caught these shots...
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Breaking News Alert at the Office: Deer in Downtown Toronto
Tue Nov 24 11:20:55 EST 2009
Police tranquilize, capture downtown deer
Police have captured a deer that was loose in downtown Toronto on Tuesday morning.
The deer had been sitting in a garden near Bay Street and University Avenue for several hours before police moved in to tranquilize and move the animal. Officers also used a Taser on the deer, police say.
Stay with CP24 for updates -- online at CP24.com, on TV on CP24 and on the radio at 1050 AM.
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Persimmon
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Lunch at Dumpling King
Had lunch last week at Dumpling King with office friend Kathleen--Shanghai style food served in northern China. A delicious lunch. I'll be happy to return any time!
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Vichyssoise and Seafood Lasagne
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StillTasty: Your Ultimate Shelf Life Guide - Save Money, Eat Better, Help The Environment
My ketchup has been in the fridge almost a year. Is it still good? How long can I keep the mayonnaise once it is opened? Do I have to keep mustard in the fridge? Is that yogurt I stocked up on because it was on sale still good a week past the expiry date? My sons come over and check the expiry dates on things in my fridge, probably because they don't trust my judgment. Well here is a site that knows when things should be tossed.
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What they found when they caught up with the balloon
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Chickadee feeding from Paul's hand at Lynde Conservation Area
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Opa!!
Hungry for Greek food on Sunday I drove over to The Danforth, an area in Toronto sometimes called "Greek Town." After the usual search for a parking spot, I found one reasonably close to the restaurant area and then found a restaurant that served Greek Lemon Rice Soup, well it is actually chicken and rice soup flavoured with a good squeeze of lemon. Wonderful comfort food on a cold day. We ordered Saganaki, fried flaming cheese served with flamboyant panache! Opa! I enjoyed the saganaki with a few crusty slices of bread and mopped up every bit of juice on the tray with my last crust. I am providing a recipe below from Cooks.com
SAGANAKI (FLAMING CHEESE OPA)
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 lemon (juice)
2 tbsp. brandy
Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve with bread. Opa!
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Mona's Dare - The View from My Window
Here is the lovely view from my bedroom window this summer, it lasted all summer and is still there! They did some work in the stairwell to the underground parkmg and now I suppose they are waiting for the cement to cure before they replace the railing and remove the construction fencing. Hope it comes down soon!
If you want to join Mona's dare, post a photo in your blog and then post the link here.
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Enoki Mushroom and Green Onion Crepes





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Extreme Shepherding
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Random Thoughts from 25-35 year-olds:

-More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.
-Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
-Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.
-I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
-Is it just me, or are 80% of the people in the "people you may know"
feature on Facebook people that I do know, but I deliberately choose not to be friends with?
-There is a great need for sarcasm font.
-I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting
90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.
-How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
-The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text. ...suse and i have had this discussion before...even though i know its bad i still text and drive and try to hide that i'm doing it from other drivers because i feel shame
- LOL has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".
- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
- Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.
- Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".
- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?
- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent someone from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!
- Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"
-What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?
- While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.
- MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighbourhood.
- I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.
-Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
-I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
- Bad decisions make good stories
-Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!
-If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.
-Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....
-You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.
-Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.
-There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far. ...it is fairly terrifying
-I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
- "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever. ...SO true...after being burned on hand wash only a couple times from now on i check the wash instructions before i buy anything
-I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching this.
It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'
-I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dammit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
- I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
-When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.
-I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.
- As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
-Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
-I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
-Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.
-My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?
-It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.
-I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.
-I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
-The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.
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Create a Cool 3-D Snowflake

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Edible
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Ben and the storm
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A Bat in my bedroom
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