Savor Magazine Fall 2009

Volume 5

Fall 2009

13 Fall’s very best leaf peeping. locations.

3 HOW TO ADD ROMANCE TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP 5 HOW ROMANTIC COMEDIES LIE TO US 7 THE SCHLEPROCK FACTOR 9 LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS: TIPS FOR MAKING THEM WORK 11 FIVE GREAT FALL DATES

13 THE BEST PLACES TO SEE SPECTACULAR FALL LEAF COLORS 15 THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IS AN EXOTIC CARIBBEAN DESTINATION 17 FALL TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS 19 HALLOWEEN PARTY IN TRANSYLVANIA WITH VLAD THE IMPALER 21

LONDON’S AUTUMN EVENT CALENDAR PACKS A REAL PUNCH

23 EXERCISE: FALL FORWARD INTO FITNESS 25 TOP THREE MUST-KNOW FITNESS TRENDS

23 Get fit this Fall.

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PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

27 THE KEEPER 28 MAD MEN 28 CRADLESONG 28 CVHF-G70

11 Awesome Ideas for 1 Autumn Dates

47 Warm up with cocoa two ways.

29 DESIGNER HANDBAG TRENDS FOR FALL 31 LOVE IT OR HATE IT, FACIAL HAIR IS A REALITY FOR MANY MEN 33 COUTUREMODA.COM’S PICK: ROBINS JEANS 35 TOP FIVE FASHION TRENDS FOR FALL 2009

37 THE HISTORY OF JACK O’LANTERNS 39 THANKSGIVING CHECK OFF LIST 41 HALLOWEEN FUN FOR COUPLES 43 TEN ROMANTIC THANKSGIVING IDEAS FOR COUPLES 45 THE ORIGIN OF HALLOWEEN

37Fin The legend of the jack o’lantern

47 SNUGGLE UP WITH A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE THIS FALL 49 APPLE CRISP FOUR WAYS

51 KINDLE VS. iPHONE: CAN AN APPLE A DAY KEEP THE KINDLE AWAY? 53 ASUS NETBOOK REVIEW

55 WINE AND SPIRITS: SOME GHOST WINERIES LIVE UP TO THEIR NAME 57 THREE PERFECT AUTUMN WINES

Be seasonably fashionable.

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How to Add Romance to Your Relationship

By Maria Estarellas

After a few years of being with that special someone, everything becomes a routine; and this is one of the reasons why a relationship fails. In today's world, most of us involved in a relationship have a job, family and other responsibilities that take up too much time in our lives. By the end of the day, we are so tired that don't make time to do something different and fun with our significant other.

In order for a relationship to work and last, we need to communicate, trust, support and do fun things with our loved one. Here are some romantic ways to keep the flame alive.

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Get home before your partner and trace a path from the front door to the bedroom with votive candles. In the bedroom, have lit candles, a bottle of wine (or the drink of your choice) and strawberries covered with chocolate.

Make a reservation for a night at a hotel, but don't tell your partner. Just have her/him meet you at the hotel's bar for a drink. Make sure you have lit candles and rose petals spread on the bed when you get to your room.

Put a romantic note in his shirt or pants pocket or her purse, and let her/him find it.

Send an e-mail just to let her/him know you love her/him.

When having dinner at a restaurant, go to the restroom, take off your underwear, put them in a little bag or box and give it to your partner when you return to the table. Make sure she/he sees it at that moment.

Your partner will be so excited; you probably won't finish your dinner.

Leave a note on your partner's pillow letting her/him know how much you want or need her/him.

Light up candles in the kitchen. Have chocolate, strawberries, whipped cream and any other food you like.

Blindfold your partner and feed her/him. Experiment by eating off her/his body.

When at a party, from time to time, whisper something sexy in your partner's ear. Do this when she/he is in front of other people. Watch her/his reaction.

There are infinite ways to make your partner feel loved, wanted and interested in you. Don't let routine destroy your relationship.

Article Source: Articlecity.com 4

From www.GirlsAskGuys.com

Men and women, bless us all. We shall never truly understand one another. I think we've all resigned ourselves by now to the fact that we're going to have our ins and outs. We'll all experience both the bitter pain of heartbreak and the blissful joy of love. It's a clichĂŠ to expect a rampant, torrid love affair in your life; you know, the love-atfirst sight, rip each other's clothes off, then get married and live happily into your autumn years, aging gracefully as you watch your grandchildren win the big sports game. No one can realistically expect that to happen, but not because love is a fantastical myth. Love is very real, indeed; but the problem that we all have with finding it, is that people like Mel Gibson and Jude Law have completely ruined the idea of romantic love.

It's not all flowers and happiness. Just as often, and even more importantly, its anguish, torture and compromise. Our interactions are fueled by the awkward sadness and anger that drives us all to love in the first place, not by the insane Hollywood drivel that we see every time we enter a movie theater. So what are we, the common man, supposed to do in a landscape of garbage like this? The problem is that our expectations have been elevated so insanely by devils like Matthew McConaughey and Josh Hartnett. The simple truth is that real love, the kind that is in the grasp of everyone, isn't like that.

It would be nice, wouldn't it? You meet on a cruise, and she spills a cocktail on you during a fancy dinner at the captain's table; then you go through a fumbling and innocent courtship in which one of you is constantly supplying some sort of comic relief. Maybe one of you is sexually inexperienced; that's always good for a laugh. However, despite what Ben Stiller would like you to believe, romance is much more complicated and beautiful than that. The connection that two humans can forge is so much harder to maintain than the quick, easy, breakup-then-get-back-together formula that we've all become accustomed to.

We should all be striving to break away from the impossible circumstances that we see in the movies, the unattainable goal that is the heated love affair. It may sound defeatist, but it's really not. It's not even a realist's view of the whole courtship ritual; I just refuse to believe that anything that is truly beautiful and holy can be captured on celluloid film. Whatever is going on in the chambers of the human 5

heart is a strange and foreign beast, one that will not be slain by romantic platitudes.

The happiest parts of my romantic life have been the pointless little interactions that weren't worthy of a big budget film, things that would get a screenwriter fired. And I wouldn't trade any of them for even a chance at a wacky sea-faring adventure. So my advice is this: stop waiting to be swept off of your feet by someone who will take you on a rollercoaster ride of romance and excitement; stop expecting to stumble onto a love that is pure as the driven snow and will last until time immemorial. Love is not going to be crammed into the spaces you've made for it. You cannot control what shape or form it will take.

It will tell you what it wants to do; but you can enjoy the ride, go nuts.

Fall madly in love at every opportunity, and really throw yourself into something that is beautiful and innocent; but don't expect it to be bullied into the constraints that you have made for it, because real love is something that will not be changed or shaped. We're spectators in this enterprise, passengers at best, and that's the way it should be.

Psychologists are now saying that humans can only stay in love, or what we recognize as love, for a period of 18 months. Just a year and a half, and then it changes; it evolves into something else. That warm, fuzzy feeling that we all strive to retain indefinitely, its shelf life is just six short seasons, roughly the same longevity as your average sitcom; and we should stop trying to change that. We'll never be able to prolong our infatuations or our devotions past their natural and organic life. We can't make love last one second longer than it wants to, and that's the best part of it. Love is a challenge. It's never easy. It's always extremely rewarding, but it's nearly impossible to force. So don't try to; let these things happen, because what they can be is so much better than what you'll try to make them.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

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By Scot McKay If you have no idea who “Schleprock” was, don’t feel bad. You kind of have to have been a kid in the ‘70s to have an idea. You’ve probably heard of “The Flintstones” though, of course. Fred and Barney live on in syndicated popularity some forty years after first gracing prime time TV back in the ‘60s (yes…the show originally was targeted at all ages).

Well, a few years later Hanna and Barbera decided to spin-off a kids’ show featuring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm as teenagers. One of the characters in this now relatively obscure cartoon series was named Schleprock. Now to say that bad luck followed Schleprock would be an understatement. Basically a dark cloud literally followed the guy everywhere. And whenever he showed up, you could be all but be sure something rotten was about to happen.

As far as personality is concerned, picture “Eeyore on steroids”, and you aren’t too far off.

Decades later, the show has been all but relegated to the vault, but Schleprock himself has become archetypal in a weird sort of way. Maybe you’ve seen the movie “Boiler Room”, and remember how Ben Affleck dismissed the first casualty during the classic “group interview” scene by saying, “C’mon, let’s go Schleprock…out!”

But I think some of us have gotten to the point where we identify with Schleprock just a little too closely, especially when it comes to women. Believe me; I hear the sob stories detailing “limiting beliefs” all the time.

Guys all over the world believe that they’re not good enough to attract high-quality women. And even if they believe they are, for some reason they’re under the impression that all these crazy women just don’t—and won’t—like them back.

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Dozens of times over I’ve heard the mantra, “I guess I just have no luck with women”. Well, here it is, Schleprock. You do not have a “dark cloud” following you around. Not in real life, at least. Don’t get me wrong.

I won’t begin to doubt that there are tons of guys out there—possibly even reading this —who have experienced the Schleprock-like phenomenon of bad stuff seeming to happen around them all the time.

But luck has nothing to do with it. And that’s the best news possible. Because, you see, that means (as is the case with most issues with women we as guys face) you can do something about it.

Let me just spell it out for you. I believe “The Schleprock Factor” follows a very predictable formula. And here it is: NEGATIVITY + IRRESPONSIBILITY = SCHLEPROCK. At the risk of underscoring what may be altogether selfevident from that equation itself, let’s break it down a bit.

When we have a negative attitude, we essentially lack confidence, don’t we? We see a situation and expect the worst. We see a task before us, and we naturally presume ultimate failure upon it. And following logically, we project that kind of failure on others also.

Call it a “poverty mentality” or whatever, but whether our vision for others to fail is driven either by our discomfort with their success or by a genuine assumption of negative outcome, it really doesn’t matter. The ramifications are the same: nobody is going to particularly enjoy hanging out with us. This goes double for MOTOS (Members Of The Opposite Sex).

After all, confidence is one of the “Big Four”.

And on top being a bummer, negativity and Ouch. It’s no wonder you hear so many selfof negative people”. Right? For sure, simply trigger “The Schleprock Factor”.

failure have this way of being contagious. help “gurus” talking about “ridding one’s life having a negative attitude may be enough to

But wait, there’s more. Compounding simple NEGATIVITY in the equation is IRRESPONSIBILITY. You remember IRRESPONSIBILITY. That’s the trait that causes younger women to ignore guys their own age and flock to older men.

Seriously…it’s not the gray hair, man. Irresponsibility involves making bad decisions, including both errors of omission and commission. Being irresponsible--besides being a strong indicator that one lacks wisdom (i.e. life experience)--also demonstrates that we lack enough self-respect to guard ourselves from bad consequences.

Think about it. So ultimately, when you mesh a negative outlook with bad decision-making, you essentially blow attraction out of the picture.

In light of all this, let’s go down the “Big Four” checklist and take inventory. Let’s see… No confidence? No attraction. Masculinity? Assuming the worst and having bad judgment aren’t exactly the earmarks of a provider or a protector, are they? And when you’re decision-making and self-respect are at play, how can you possibly expect to inspire confidence in a woman? Is that the kind of leadership she will gladly choose to follow? Finally, what about character? Well, I don’t exactly see Schleprock enshrined in the Great Man Hall Of Fame.

If what I’m talking about sounds like “tough love”, I make no apologies. But remember…the fact that you control “The Schleprock Factor” is good news. And, as always, it all comes down to deserving what you want.

©2005-2009 X & Y Communications info@xandycommunications.net 8

By Emily Kensington As a couple’s therapist, I'm often asked if long distance relationships can be successful. The answer is yes; but long distance relationships are complex, and for them to work, both partners must be on same page.

Here are some tips for making it work:

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Ask the important questions at the onset to make sure you are both clear on the parameters of the relationship. These can be difficult and awkward questions to ask, but asking will save great heartache and misunderstanding down the line. For example, are you open to the possibility of relocating if the relationship should become more serious?

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Communicate in some way every day, more than once if possible. Since you won't be seeing each other, it's important to establish and maintain an emotional connection. These don't have to be long, in-depth conversations (though those should occur sometimes). Tell each other about your little triumphs and tragedies. Ask for advice. Use an instant messenger program or VoIP for real-time chat, or webcams for that visual connection. E-mail is great, so make sure you use it, especially if long-distance phone calls put a strain on your budget. Write love letters. Send small gifts or flowers for no reason. In this case, quantity is as important as quality. You may discover an advantage over others whose partners are close at hand: you don't take communication for granted!

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Recognize, and take advantage of, the benefits that long distance relationships offer such as more time with friends and/or family, no arguments over toothpaste caps and the pleasure of seeing your sweetheart again after a long absence. Most important, being far apart gives you a chance to maintain your individuality, something that can get lost in the shuffle when couples spend all their free time together.

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Pursue common interests, even if it means pursuing them apart. If there's a movie you're both interested in seeing, watch it individually; and then call each other afterward and discuss it. Read a certain book at the same time. Stargaze while you're on the phone. Set your watches to go off at the

same time every day, and synchronize your alarm with that of your partner. Make it a point to think of each other when your watch goes off, and revel in the fact that he or she is thinking about you, too. Find creative ways to bond. 

Avoid the temptation to be controlling. People have free will, and no one can or should control another person. As long as you are both interested in being in the relationship, you will stick with it and distance will not make a difference. As soon as one of you decides the other is not a good match—or someone else is a better match—your relationship ends, whether you live 3000 miles apart, two streets over, or share the same bed with your wedding picture on the wall. Most relationship advice boils down to common sense; needless to say, you are going to have to trust each other completely if this relationship is going to work.

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Talk about your future together. Assuming that ultimately you'd want to live together, discussing how you're going to get to that point will help you prove to each other that long distance relationships can go somewhere and that your efforts and frustrations are not in vain.

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Perhaps the toughest aspect of long distance relationships is this: Know when to say good-bye. While this is tough in any relationship, this can be especially hard over long distances. When communication becomes one-sided or sparse for too long and for no apparent reason, when arguments (yes, you'll have them) become too frequent, when the whole thing just seems like more trouble than it's worth, it's time to re-evaluate the relationship. Either you'll decide to go your separate ways, or you'll get closer for having overcome another obstacle to your happiness together.

Article source: Articlecity.com 10

By Tanya Yerigan

It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing colors; the air is crisp, and another season is upon us. Fall is a beautiful time of year full of amazing opportunities for great dates. Most people probably don’t realize it, but when the seasons change, so do your dating options. The first thing to remember is to be creative. Think beyond the normal date night of going to a movie or out for supper. Why not plan an afternoon, evening or day of enjoying what nature has to offer at little to no cost? Another neat aspect of these dating opportunities is that if you’re dating someone with kids, your plans can easily be altered to include them. You’ll be sure to win brownie points for this.

Drive in the country Be sure to plan a drive in the country. There are so many things to see and enjoy. Knowing a little about the scenic byways in your area can be well worth the small investment of time required to study up. Don’t forget to check out neat little roadside shops along the way. Paying close attention while you hand hold through the shops will give you a good idea of what your date likes.

To break up the drive, Bed and Breakfast inns often offer a great lunch menu and a romantic atmosphere.

Walk in the woods Find a city or state park and plan a walk, bike ride or hike. Most parks have paved or cleared trails along some of their most beautiful areas. You may even consider packing a picnic lunch. A delicious picnic lunch might include some of his/her favorite foods and wine. Don’t forget to bring a blanket.

You’d hate to snuggle your date on the cool ground.

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Carving a Pumpkin Don’t forget a trip to a pumpkin farm to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your date. Think of the fun you’ll have when you head home to carve it.

Some pumpkin farms even have romantic opportunities such as corn mazes or hay rides.

There’s just something special about cozying up to your date on a hay bale.

A Stroll in the Orchard Take your date to a local apple orchard to pick his/her favorite variety of apples. Then head home to make a delicious apple pie or other dessert. Sometimes when you have a task like peeling apples, you’re mind isn’t as nervous if your hands are busy. This can set the stage for a great conversation with the by-product being an awesome night time snack.

Camp Fire Invite your date over for a campfire supper.

There are a ton of great ideas for campfire meals. They range from as simple as hot dogs or grilled cheese to as elaborate as a full meal in tin foil. Don’t forget to top your meal off with the perfect combination of wishes and kisses. Take time to sit back, look at the stars and enjoy a few perfectly roasted marshmallow or toasty mug of hot chocolate.

You might just ignite a fire.

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By James Rice It's that time of year again. The days are getting shorter; the nights are getting a bit chilly, and the leaves are starting to change color. Starting in October, and usually lasting for about six weeks, leaves will be changing to red, orange, yellow, brown and other hues too numerous to mention.

Whether you're a seasoned "leaf peeper" or planning your first fall foliage tour, the questions are the same.

Where do you find the most vibrant colors? Which scenic highways and byways provide the best opportunities for your viewing pleasure? Where are the best places to see the show?

The best places to see brilliant autumn colors and awe-inspiring mountain vistas are in the western mountains of North Carolina. The hills and mountains in and around Asheville are world-renown for their "fall color show". This area is consistently ranked high on "Best Places to Visit" lists because of its natural beauty and southern charm. Many believe that autumn is the best time to be here.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a perennial favorite. Breath-taking panoramas and leafcarpeted forests are abundant in this timeless oasis. But, if you're the one driving, keep your eyes on the road. The stunningly beautiful sights along this drive can be a big distraction. And, at those elevations, you do not want to run off the road. Stop at the designated "scenic overlooks" to take your turn gazing, or switch drivers occasionally if you can. During leaf season the Blue Ridge Parkway can become a little crowded. If you want to get off the beaten path, you might consider the drive through Hickory Nut Gorge or The Pacolet River Scenic Byway.

In early October the leaves start to change in the higher elevations along the parkway, beginning around Mount Mitchell which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Along the parkway you'll find campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, waterfalls and recreation areas. The parkway also passes right through Asheville, so there is a wide range of exciting tourist destinations and shopping nearby.

Popular destinations north of Asheville include Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls along US 221 near Boone, Craggy Gardens on the Parkway and Roan Mountain, on the Tennessee border. To the west you can raft

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down Nantahala River, see the highest dam this side of the Rockies at Fontana Lake, or hike up Cold Mountain, made famous by the book and movie of the same name. Also west of Asheville are the towns of Cherokee and Maggie Valley, offering a diverse range of native crafts and eclectic shops. To the southeast, near Hendersonville, you'll find Lake Lure, (where Dirty Dancing was filmed), and Chimney Rock Park, which boasts one of the highest waterfalls in the state, at 404 feet. And southwest of Asheville, near Brevard, are several popular diversions such as Dupont State Forest, Looking Glass Falls and the Forest Discovery Center at the Cradle of Forestry Historic Site.

Closer to Asheville, colorful views abound at Mount Pisgah or Graveyard Fields along the parkway. Magnificent views and aesthetically pleasing architecture combine at Biltmore House and Grove Park Inn. To see a wide variety of native foliage up close, stop in at the North Carolina Arboretum, just off the parkway at mile marker 393 or The Botanical Gardens of Asheville, near UNCA. Driving through is a good way to see lots of color, but you may get more out of it if you immerse yourself fully in the experience. As mentioned earlier, you could take a hike or go rafting under the multi-colored canopies. You might enjoy a scenic train ride on The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Dillsboro; or, if you want a completely different perspective, you might find consider flying above it all in a hot-air balloon. Remember you may have to book most of these excursions in advance.

If you plan an overnight visit, keep in mind that local lodging becomes quite crowded as well. Consider making reservations in advance or planning your trips for Sunday through Thursday, if possible. You might even want to stay at places a bit farther away from the more frequented routes.

Items you may want to bring along include a warm jacket, a camera, extra food, drinks, a cooler, a map, a cell phone and maybe binoculars. And don’t forget to top off your gas tank occasionally.

The North Carolina mountains are definitely the place you want to be when the leaves are changing. But be warned, once here, you may never want to leave.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com

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The Dominican Republic An Exotic Caribbean Destination

By David Brice If you are looking for an exotic location to enjoy a late summer getaway or perhaps an autumn break, then you could do a lot worse than going to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean.

The island was named as "hot� by the Association of British Travel Agents' (ABTA) members, and this year alone, bookings for the destination have increased by nine percent.

ABTA's Frances Tuke said, "The all-inclusive packages in particular have been a massive hit for those who know they have to stick to a budget, as everything is paid for upfront, but the destination also offers so much more for the romantic holidaymaker.�

Not only are there fantastic beaches and water sports, but if you want to get away from the crowds, there is breathtaking scenery in the form of rainforests, mountains and waterfalls. The cities also offer a vibrant culture that has a Spanish colonial past.

The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Caribbean. It has the highest point in the West Indies, Pick Duarte standing tall at 10,414ft, and also the lowest point in the West Indies, Lake Enriquillo which is 148 ft below sea level. Christopher Columbus first stepped ashore the island, which he called Hispaniola, in 1492.

Consequently, the south side of the island boasts the oldest city of the New World, including the first hospital, first sugar mill and first cathedral.

The capital city, Santo Domingo has Columbus' Palace, the Alcazar de Colon, the 22-room home of Don Diego Columbus and his family. It was built in 1510, and then underwent restoration in 1955, a wonderful mix of Gothic and Moorish architecture. The capital also has a buzzing street life, which is quite unique. The streets are awash with color and music, the finest example of which occurs during the Dominican Carnival that takes place between February and March. The second largest city on the island, called Santiago de los Caballeros or simply Santiago, is found on the cliffs above the Yaque River; but it is the island's next largest city, Puerto Plata, located 15

on the north shore of the island, which has become the most popular tourist destination. Nearby Sosua, La Romana and Punta Cana to the east of the island also have a growing resort population.

The Dominican Republic also has some stunning landscapes, with much of the island covered in mountainous terrain.

There is plenty for nature lovers to explore, from semidesert plains to green valleys and tropical rain forests. There is also the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range, which runs between the Atlantic coast and the Cibao valley. It was here that Spaniards used to search for gold. The Cibao Valley is also famous for growing, harvesting and marketing tobacco; and its cigars are an important income for the island. It is easy to arrange trips to soak up this nature from most of the island's tourist centers.

But for many, the number one thing to do on holiday is hit the beach and relax. You will have no problem doing that in the Dominican Republic. With its characteristic laid-back Caribbean style, the island has approximately 400km of beaches to enjoy.

With first class all-inclusive hotels such as the Bahia Principe and the Riu Bachata, it's the ideal place for an allinclusive holiday. Package deals can be found for most of the white sandy beaches along the country's northern shores, with the between Puerto Plata and Cabarete proving to long-standing popular places with sun seekers.

Unsurprisingly, the water sports are excellent as well. Snorkeling, sailing and scuba-diving can be enjoyed in the unspoiled water along the coast; or you could indulge in deep-sea fishing or championship golf along the north coast of Playa Grande.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 16

By Andrea Morris Fall's changing leaves, with their stunning reds, oranges and purples, both herald the end of summer and delight the eyes.

This fall, treat yourself to a display of color like no other on earth and visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Feast your eyes on the rich hues of billions of leaves on over 100 different species of trees as you breathe in the fresh, crisp autumn air.

Hiking the Smoky Mountains will give you spectacular panoramic views of the great diversity of wildlife the park has to offer. There is no shortage of hiking trails. With over 800 miles of them, you will be able to find the one right for your level of expertise. And plants aren't the only type of wildlife you'll enjoy. You're sure to spot many furry critters at home in their natural habitat, including deer, elk and even the occasional black bear!

For the adventurous at heart, a fun—an inexpensive—way to enjoy the Smoky Mountains is to camp in the park.

What's better, the campgrounds aren't one-size-fits-all. Instead, you have a few options to choose from, so you can select the area of the park that's right for you. Play Lewis and Clark, and trek out to the back country. You can only get there by foot! For those of us less keen on "roughing it," front country offers running water and flush toilets. There are also campgrounds that accommodate groups of eight and some made for folks who bring along their horses.

Of course, there's more to the Smokies than leaves. The park has the makings of a romantic getaway for two or a trip that's fun for the whole family. Here are just a few of the activities this national park has to offer:

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• Bicycling

• Auto tours

• Wildlife viewing

• Historical sites

• Hiking

• Waterfall walks

• Picnicking

In fact, there's more to do in Smoky Mountain National Park than you can probably fit into one trip. For history buffs, there's the Mountain Farm Museum. This museum is actually an extensive collection of 19th century farmhouses. Highlights include a barn, apple house and working blacksmith shop. Be sure to arrive in time for one of the live gardening demonstrations.

Lesser known than Hoover, the Fontana Dam is also an impressive site. It's actually the tallest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains—480 feet to be exact. The dam, with a reservoir size of 11,700 acres, forms Fontana Lake, which provides boat access to more remote areas of the park. To learn about how the dam was built, you can check out the visit center operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Don't forget to include Clingmans Dome in your itinerary. The dome is the highest point in the whole park and the highest point in all of Tennessee. It's a half-mile walk to the observation tower but well worth it. At 6,643 feet, the tower offers you an unrivaled view of the Smokies.

Typically, you can see for about 20 miles; but if you're lucky enough to be there on a clear day, you can see as far as 100 miles.

If you need a break from nature, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are nearby and chock full of fun.

There's Dollywood, numerous shows and restaurants, miniature golf, go-karts, and the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, just to name a few.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 18

By Transylvania Live—Expert in Transylvania The Halloween Party is, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable events anyone could experience in Romania. The flavor of the Romanian cuisine mingled with the melodious folk songs, unique events and unexpected surprises will prove that every legend has a little bit of truth in it!

The guests are welcomed with a traditional Romanian drink, prepared especially for the cold season. The shot of Romanian “water of fire”, boiled with pepper, will increase interest in the delicious mouth-watering traditional dishes prepared for the Halloween party. The Master of Ceremony, one of Dracula’s many subjects, will introduce the guests to the program of the evening, making sure everyone will meet his fate!

The first event guests will enjoy is performed by the Transylvanian Knights. The “Witch Trial” will reveal the medieval rituals of judgment for a witch, testing the courage of the guests. Should anyone dare to handle the sword and fight along with the knights to save the damned woman, he will be anointed a knight. There can be no Halloween Party without Dracula; the Count will simply not tolerate such a thing! His Majesty will join guests and even make a few confessions about his wedding.

“Dracula’s Wedding” is a stage show by a professional band of actors. This is a non-verbal performance. It’s very easy to understand that Dracula did not need words to charm a girl. The first time they met, he appeared as a respectable noble; the second meeting revealed his true dark nature. You’ll need to travel to Transylvania to find out if the story has a happy ending.

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Next, a band of folk singers, performing with traditional Romanian instruments, will introduce the guests to the gypsy rhythm as well as melodious and cheerful Romanian songs. The traditional “Scarf Dance” will bring everyone to the dance floor! Close to midnight, all will step out to watch the moon and count down the minutes to midnight, a time of powerful magic when all bad wishes come true! (Let’s just say the neighbors’ cat won’t bother you anymore). A glass of champagne and the traditional “Rest in Peace” song will delight guests afterwards.

The culinary event of the evening is the Halloween cake, shaped as a coffin and delicious as fresh blood.

This might just be the first coffin guests have tried, and they will like it!

The Count’s witch will be at guests’ disposal. She’ll open her office for them to be able to purchase After Life Insurances!

The Master of Ceremony will reward guests who really did their best for the Halloween Costumes. The Best Female and Male Costumes will receive awards (Romanian genuine handcrafts to remember this incredible night). The Count has presents a gift for the Best Howl at the Moon. After a glass of strong red wine boiled with cinnamon, guests won’t lack courage or strength! The DJ then takes over the party with devilish dancing until dawn. The last person standing will receive a bottle of wine, courtesy of the house, and Romanian tips on how to handle the hangover.

If you want to learn the truth, be charmed by the legend and enjoy the best Halloween party ever, join us along narrow winding roads, deep in the Carpathians, into the heart of Transylvania for a fascinating holiday! Halloween in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler offers a ten-day trip back in time, following Jonathan Harker’s footsteps, but revealing the genuine historical facts and places related to Vlad the Impaler. The tour is intended for Halloween enthusiasts, Transylvanian lovers, culture and history fans and adventure seekers. It includes the unique medieval citadel of Sighisoara, Vlad the Impaler’s birth place; the Saxon city of Brasov; Bistrita Citadel; the royal Peles Castle; the mysterious Bran Castle; as well as Dracula’s Castle in Borgo Pass, built according to Bram Stocker’s imagination.

In addition, the special activities prepared, all along the itinerary, bring out the essence of genuine Transylvanian folklore. Special events experienced in this Halloween tour include Killing of the Living Dead , a ritual to help a haunted spirit to gain his peace; learn how to make a vampire killing stake from the Vampire Wooden Stake Specialist, a famous woodcraftsman from Maramures; visit legendary castles in Transylvania with plenty of good stories for a Halloween tour: Bran, Peles, Corvinesti and Savarsin Castles; Halloween party in Sighisoara, Dracula’s birth place; special accommodations at the finest selection of “Dracula Hotels”, including Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania, Bram Stoker’s imaginary castle in Borgo Pass where he placed the Bloody Count Dracula; discover Dracula's descendents by paying a visit to Misiuga, Baron of Dracula, in his windswept tower in Bistrita citadel; enjoy Jonathan Harker’s Menu, the same meal Bram Stoker’s hero served when in Bistrita citadel; Vampire Menu for dinner in Turda, find out why it’s worth killing for a meal! During the farewell dinner, a Survivor’s Certificate will be handed over (guests collect stamps all along the itinerary to prove their courage). Being a very popular tour, Halloween in Transylvania with Vlad the Impaler is often sold out well in advance.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

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London’s Autumn Events Calendar Packs a Real P

By Adam Singleton Home to four World Heritage Sites and boasting one of the most diverse annual event programs around, London is an electrifying city that is simply bursting with entertainment and cultural flavor. Add to the mix a medley of iconic landmarks, attractions and sites of interest and you have the perfect destination for a weekend break away.

Cited as one of the leading global financial centers, London is also renowned for its contribution to the worlds of fashion, media and the arts. As a result, there is a plethora of shopping opportunities, entertainment districts, theater shows and galleries to enjoy. And, with one of the most extensive public transport systems ever designed, it is easy to find your own path based on what you want to experience.

With so much to see and do, London is a great city to visit regardless of the time of year. However, offering up an exciting autumn events program, it is particularly ideal for those looking to enjoy the last rays of summer sunshine and frivolity, before the harsh reality of winter sets in!

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The perfect opportunity for tasting the very best wines available, The Wine Show is definitely one way to warm the cockles after a brisk autumn walk around London. Held annually, it attracts thousands of people each year who are keen to speak to the professionals, as well as try out the wide variety of wines on offer. Not only that, but it is also possible to take a guided tour, complete with a colorful commentary on the world of wine.

Diwali on the Square, held every October, is another event packed full of fun and flavor. Known as the festival of lights, it is the celebration of good over evil for the Hindu, Sikh and Jain religions, although everyone is welcome to join in with the festivities. Offering up a mouth-watering array of different foods, energetic music and Indian theater performances, it is located in Trafalgar Square and is free to attend.

Perfect for those with a passion for dance, the Ballroom Dancing Championships are also a popular autumn event. Currently entering its 57th year, a whole host of experienced dancers take to the stage to show off their moves in such dances as the Rumba, Tango and Cha, Cha. Held in London’s Royal Albert Hall, over 360 dancers will compete for the ballroom dancing crown.

In addition to its packed autumn events calendar, there is also a huge range of bars and restaurants to explore, as well as numerous hotels in London to choose from. With so much variety available, ranging from the very best in five-star luxury and bargains galore, to enticing last-minute offers, there is something to suit everyone’s budget.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 22

Exercise: Fall Forward into Fitness

By Paul Davis

Fall is here! It's time for clocks to fall backward, meaning you are gaining an hour. Now, therefore, is the time to get up early and start that exercise routine that will speed up your metabolic rate early in the morning, giving you more energy all day long and burning the most fat.

Though fall is the time of the year when it begins to get cooler, your workouts can get hotter and give you more reason to get out of bed in the morning. Exercising early, before work, also gives you greater mental clarity, relieves stress and allows you to socialize after work and spend valuable time with family and friends. Plus, by exercising in the morning, you won't have to wait in line to use the equipment at the health club during peak late afternoon and early evening hours.

Alternative workout locations might be at home with an exercise ball, hand weights, Pilates and yoga home videos or stairs. To make your workouts more inspiring and aesthetically pleasing, consider running up and down the steps at the Cathedral, athletic arena or in the park where you can enjoy nature.

To incorporate the social element with exercise, enlist a friend to participate with you to make it more enjoyable. Tennis, racquetball, swimming, surfing and bicycling are all fun sports you can do and also derive health benefits from. Even going on early morning brisk walks will benefit your heart, provide you some time for meditation and clear out the clutter in your mind, enabling you to focus on things most important in your life.

Another option is to work out during lunch.

Jogging and running are favorites of many office workers. Those who work near the health club or have a corporate gym can also squeeze in some 23

weight training and cardiovascular exercise.

If working out at night is your only option, and the health club is not appealing to you, walking, running or bicycling through the neighborhood is convenient. Remember to wear bright clothes for visibility and to purchase some reflective stripes if your neighborhood does not have adequate street lights.

Try to do at least one group activity a week to keep up your level of enjoyment. I personally like my Latin dance class, kickboxing and yoga.

Stretching is a most-neglected component of physical fitness that I caution you to incorporate in your routine before and after exercise, even if just for a few minutes, to prevent injury.

Exercise discretion with your fork when at the dinner table. Buy healthy choices when shopping for groceries, avoiding foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Opt for raw fruits and vegetables over cooked or canned. Prepare dinners the night before (after the workout) or prepare them on Saturday or Sunday, so that you eliminate that time during the week; use it for workouts instead.

Ladies, if exercising outdoors, you would do well to carry a cell phone or a whistle for safety reasons.

Even better, exercise with a friend rather than alone.

Exercise whenever, however, as often as you can.

Keep it fun. Don't compare yourself with others.

Be your personal best. Stimulate and challenge yourself. Find an accountability partner to report to weekly. Set goals and desirable outcomes, but don't stress over time deadlines in regard to achievement. Enjoy the journey and celebrate the process as you progress.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

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By Curtis Hoekstra After a tumultuous year for the economy, Americans are still battling another challenge...their waistline. However, there are bright spots ahead for the weight and obesity issues so many are going to face in the coming months. So, whether you need a "fitness overhaul" or just a "tune-up", here are three top fitness trends that will lend a hand.

This year seems to have just flown by…can you believe 2010 will soon be upon us?

The good news is that gas prices seem to have dipped a bit; it’s nice to fill up the ol’ mini-van for about $26 instead of $50 or $60! The bad news is that America’s waistline hasn’t shrunk; in fact, it has done nothing but expand in the past year, bringing health challenges and obesity to all new records.

Unfortunately, the more troubling news is that the youth of our great nation are facing even greater health risks and weight struggles than any previous other generation. However, on a positive note, this can be changed.

Fall can be the time of year to get your fitness and health back on track. It can be the season that our youth become fitter, more active and less deadlocked in front of the video games. Here are three fitness trends that will continue to thrive and some that will take a dive: Fitness Trend #1: Fitness Boot Camps Will Thrive; One-on-One Training Will Dive It is no huge secret—this country is struggling through a huge recession. The average American simply does not have the disposable income to spend on personal training that typically runs about $60 or more per hour. However, the need to stay fit has never been greater. What is one to do? Boot camp, baby!

Boot camps are one of the hottest training formats in the fitness world right now, and for very good reason. They produce rapid results, and their prices are a fraction of typical personal training rates. A high-quality boot camp will offer terrific personal attention, unstoppable motivation in a fun, group setting and allow you to get in fantastic shape without breaking your wallet.

If you are trying to lose weight, gain strength and increase endurance under the trained eye of your own fitness instructor this fall, look no further than boot camp training. Do your waistline (and your bank account) a huge favor— jump into a reputable, results-producing boot camp.

Fitness Trend #2: Interval Training Will Destroy Aerobic Training For Greater Fat Loss and Fitness Every Single Time.

High-intensity interval training is rapidly gaining notoriety as the most effective and time-efficient manner to improve your health, build muscle and burn fat. More sprints, less time consuming easy jogs on the treadmill. However, do not misunderstand; there will still be a ton of people swinging away on the elliptical machine for hours on end at the local gym…reading magazines and watching TV while they think they are using their time wisely. Trust me; they are not.

Aerobic training is basically going along at a slow to medium pace for an extended period of time (30, 60 or even 90 minutes). Think of this: they are trying to spend as much time (quantity) as they can, because they think they are in the “fat-burning” zone. I don’t know about you; but after 30 to 60 minutes, I get so bored, and my knees start to ache.

Sound familiar? Thought so…not exactly fun, is it?

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Interval training is focusing on the intensity and quality of exercise, not quantity, per se. Interval exercises consist of alternating between short bouts of all-out intensity and effort, followed by short periods of rest. Usually, interval workouts like last only a time-saving 10-20 minutes; but, at the same time, you’re using the proven approach that burns nine times more fat than steady-state exercise ever could.

Two fundamental scientific studies can be used to illustrate this: the Tabata report compared the effects of just four minutes of high-intensity interval training with 45-60 minutes of low to moderate cardio…think sprinting short distances versus jogging for miles on end. The findings from the report taught us that interval training burned just as much fat as the low to moderate cardio sessions in just four minutes of work!

The Gibala study compared the effects of 20-minute intervals (30 seconds of maximum effort sprints followed by four minutes of rest and recovery) with 90-120 minutes of endurance training (AKA “fat burning” zone or the “endurance heart rate zone” as some gym cardio machines display). The results were that each training group experienced the same physical benefits. In other words, folks that exercise for just 1/6 of the time experienced the same results as those who slugged it out for almost two full hours!

Fitness Trend #3: Lean Protein and Fiber Will Be the Carbohydrate Addict’s Answer for Improved Fitness, Health, Weight Loss and Muscle Gain.

Let’s face it…most American’s love their carbs. Starches and sugars abound…with bulging waistlines as proof. The biggest misconception with this is that if you eliminated all the previously mentioned “carbs”, you would be on a “low carb” diet. Not true.

There are plenty of good “carbs” you should be including to keep your body burning fat all day long and keep your blood sugar levels on even keel. With the exception of corn, peas, carrots, beets and potatoes (which should be kept in check), you are hereby given permission to wolf down as many unprocessed veggies items as you wish! How’s that for “low carb”?

The overwhelming scientific literature that proves the fat burning benefits of lean protein and fiber-rich foods is finally catching on. Make no mistake, quality protein sources are key, as protein builds and repairs muscle tissue. It allows your body to preferentially burn fat and increase metabolism through the thermic effect of feeding while leaving you feeling “full”. Fiber (best obtained from most unprocessed vegetables and fruits) helps you digest your food and provide a more steady flow of valuable nutrients and sustained energy. It will also provide you a feeling of being full so you don’t overeat.

So without a doubt, wise folks will consume more lean protein with their fruits and veggies, while their bodies get leaner and sexier every day, all season long!

There you have it…my top fitness trends for autumn. I hope you can use this information, and push yourself and your loved ones to a whole new level of improved health, vitality and strength.

Source: ArticlesFactory.com 26

Paranormal Activity If you go for psychological thrillers that petrify the audience with inscrutable suspense rather than explicit blood spatter, steaming entrails and gratuitous gore, then Paranormal Activity is the movie for you. Just in time for Halloween, this film is a must-see for horror connoisseurs with a flavor for a more inspired treatment of their cinematic terror.

Written and directed by Oren Peli and ingeniously marketed with initial midnight showings and an adroit smear of old-school supply-and-demand economic theory, Paranormal Activity is enjoying a burgeoning, if somewhat boisterous, public buzz.

The Keeper The Keeper is a brilliantly constructed expedition into the collective psyche of a small Northeastern town hijacked by a living specter, garroted by an industrial slump and massacred by a nightmarish reverie. Echoing the virtuosity of Stephen King, Sarah Langan’s novel is a must-read for all fans of cerebral fright literature.

The Keeper is intricately structured and substantially detailed; the characters are scrupulously and sumptuously developed, and their interactions with one another reach an imaginative, fundamentally sinister pinnacle. No doubt readers will be exhausted by the scope and scale of this novel, but it is a perfectly macabre tale that is an expeditious read.

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“Mad Men” Created and written by Matthew Weiner, this deliciously retro drama about Madison Avenue advertising is at once wickedly irreverent and incandescently droll. The show is loaded with historical allusions and acerbic cultural insinuations. Because “Mad Men” is set in the 60s, personal circumstances and the impositions of life that would go largely unnoticed and would be widely accepted today cause grave conflict for the characters.

They are mired in self-imposed reticence, ignominy and umbrage.

The show follows the characters as they wade through disorientation caused by their circumstances and the trepidation associated with their often surreptitious struggles. “Mad Men” is 60s-chic at its finest with period attire, modish sets and references to the hippest cats of the day. If you aren’t a fan yet, tune in to AMC on Sunday nights.

Cradlesong Rob Thomas fans will continue to rock smoothly with his most recent solo effort, Cradlesong. The album’s essence blends pop tones and rock resonance. All of the songs, written or co-written

by Rob Thomas, lean strongly toward insightful and are decidedly germane.

On the whole, Cradlesong has earned acclaim from critics and Rob Thomas devotees. Both the album and the single “Her Diamonds” have performed well on the Billboard charts; debut sales are certainly respectable. If you’ve previously passed over Rob Thomas’ solo work, Cradlesong is absolutely worthy of a listen.

CVHF-G70 This sexy little gadget is a triple threat—part back-up battery, part USB charger and part USB data transfer cable. It can instantly charge your cell phone for 12 more hours of power. You can even use it to power your cell phone via your laptop. The device also can transfer MP3s, MP4s, music, videos and photos from your computer to your cell phone OR from your cell phone to your computer. Even hotter, the CVHF-G70 can instantly charge the batteries in PDAs, digital cameras, MP3/MP4 players and video game players.

About the size of an iPod Shuffle, the CVHF-G70 costs about ten times less than an extra battery for any of the technology it can charge. This product is a total no-brainer…everyone needs it. And don’t worry, guys; if you or your sweetie isn’t down with pink, they sell it in white and black, too.

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By Tina A. Jane

Every handbag addict might have paid much attention to the catwalk looks from New York Fashion Week. Various designers have created a handbag range for fall and winter that is just irresistible. While for us, it is really not an easy thing to buy a matching bag with features just like the celebrities’ style on the red carpet. Here I list for you the top five trends to keep in mind when you buy a new bag for the upcoming season.

There are many designer handbags in distinctive colors and styles, and their trends change by the minute; but some of them still feature this detail: bright metallic effect. Handbags with metallic detail will definitely add a touch of sparkle and opulence to fall Metallics are a great everyday look, especially on those gloomy gray autumn days.

Bold leather veins including lizard, snake and crocodile are still the leading trend for handbags this season. Carrying handbags in this style will make you feel free, as if in the African grasslands. If you are a great crazy and bold bag fan, you should not miss this style.

Are you planning to rock this fall? Just add casual rock bags with studs and metallic chain to your wardrobe. They will bring a little rocker to your outfit and change your dull work style. As for the colors, they tend to be black or other dark color tones, like the Gucci New Fall/Winter ‘09 Collection and Marc Jacobs handbags.

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Do you always go in for a bag with attractive style and perfect craftsmanship? These bags with specially designed hand-crafted detail will satisfied you; this style will be overwhelmingly popular this season.

Supple suede leather, ruching, fine topstitching and creative sparkling diamonds are the exciting elements that will enhance the look and feel of these types of bags.

Designers have welcomed the fall season with collections in gray. Actually, bags in the dusty gray color are one of my favorites since they easily blend and are suitable for any occasion. Instead of a black bag, choose gray; it will be a more seasonally versatile handbag. For this reason, gray is considered the must-have color this season. An excellent example is the Dior Charming Lock Collection in gray.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Fashions come, and fashions go. Whether you are man or a woman, this reality affects us all. The different types of facial hair worn by men change along with fashion trends.

Just remember the 80s‌when nearly every male had a moustache! Yuck! But back then, every man thought he looked fantastic and sexy with one; and, even scarier, women thought the same!

Unfortunately, many men still think they live in the 80s.

I suppose, like women who makeup as a fashionable imperfections, men use that is fine, if they keep men do you see that not a good look. There that a man can use his trends of the day.

use addition or to cover up facial hair to do the same. And it neat and tidy. How many look like a shaggy dog? It’s just are so many different ways whiskers to complement the

Apart from the famous moustache, of which there are many different designs, there are also different styles of beards and goatees. These can range from full beards to little dots under the lower lip. I think that some men spend more time in front of the mirror shaping and trimming these facial hair patterns than women do putting on makeup. But, if it helps with their self esteem, then let them continue. Who am I to stand in the way of someone feeling good about himself?

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Did you know that there are even names for the different kinds of facial hair artwork? Van-dyke and a jazz dot are just two of them. Of course, men don't have to do anything special to get a great facial hair effect. All they have to do is sport three day’s worth of growth; and, like magic, they have the sexy rugged look! All too easy.

Whatever facial hair fashion statement a man chooses to make, and though it may make him feel handsome and selfconfident, just remember that it only takes a minute for some woman to say one negative thing about it, and it's out the door! That's the good thing about whiskers; they don't have to cost a man anything, and he can chop and change the look constantly. And don't forget, guys can even go for the clean-shaven look, which is probably the safest route.

Sure, this means a man has to shave every day, but if he goes for one of those other facial hair looks, he will take even longer to get ready in the morning.

I suppose, in the end, a man’s lifestyle and job would most important influence his choice to wear facial hair or not. I can't imagine a hairy-dog-type look working as a chef or a fireman. Then again, I suppose a man would not be as suitable to a job as a cow hand if he had to spend days out on the prairie keeping his well-detailed, stripey beard in perfect condition. The good news is that men have a choice, and what they do with it is their business.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com 32

When you look your best, you’ll feel your best. When you feel your best, you’ll be equipped to put your best effort into your love life. In each new issue of Savor Magazine, Couturemoda, Lovetropolis.com’s partner in fashion and passion, will recommend a must-have piece of attire to help you look your most fashionable and romance-ready. For Fall 2009, Couturemoda suggests Robin’s Jeans.

Robin Chretien is the mastermind behind Robin's Jeans Company. He is currently one of the leading denim designers in the U.S. Touted as the world’s most flattering jeans, Robin's Jeans are universally complimentary for all shapes. Chretien won’t give away the secret of how his designer jeans manage to compliment virtually any body type; but he says it’s all about paying attention to the intricacies of the human form.

With the signature embroidered wings logo (stitched prominently across the back of the jeans or more subtly on the back pockets or pocket flaps), slim silhouette, exceptional fit and distinctive wash techniques, Robin’s Jeans will definitely be an in vogue addition to your closet. Preview Robin’s Jeans’ up to date flair and classic style in these selected styles for men and women. Then, shop for just the right pair for yourself at Couturemoda.com, where you’ll find an extensive selection of Robin’s Jeans styles and designs.

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These hipster women’s jeans are accented with pyramid studs.

The denim is distressed with rips and breaks, and the loose-fit, boyfriend-style jeans are available in Japan Medium Wash.

You can purchase these Robin’s Jeans on couturemoda.com by shopping for item number 3771.

These straight leg men’s jeans have a ripped and broken distressed finish. They have back flap pockets and bold stitching. The denim is finished in Vintage Destroy Wash.

Shop item number 3048 on couturemoda.com to purchase these Robin’s Jeans.

These stylish capris are heavily accented with studs. The jeans are detailed with a military Hamsa design and are available in khaki.

To purchase these Robin’s Jeans, visit couturemoda.com and search for item number 1941.

These straight leg men’s jeans have back pockets that are detailed with small studs and embroidered wings. Robin’s Jeans is embroidered and studded underneath the belt line as well.

The denim is Dark Vintage in color.

To purchase these Robin’s Jeans, shop for item number 3980 on couturemoda.com.

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By Harrison Fray The temperatures are beginning to drop, and everybody knows that it's time for new style trends. You may have seen runway shows, celebs being interviewed or photographed by paparazzi time and time again; it's quite obvious that both models and celebs are sporting the latest styles according to season. So, what is "in" for the fall of 2009? Well, for starters, you might have a flashback when you find the come-backs from past decades' style trends; but, of course, they have been upgraded to fit twenty-first century fashion sense.

The Sculpted Shoulders The 80s shoulder pad days are back. Resurrected for the fall of 2009 are jackets and tops with padded, and sometimes pointy, shoulders. The trend was initiated by Balmain, a high-end brand worn by posh celebrities like Victoria Beckham. Squared-off jackets as well as t-shirts with shoulder pads also follow this trend. Beyonce Knowles was seen wearing a black sequined military jacket with shoulder pads, which is another addition to the trend.

Funky Tights Printed tights are in right now, and these are very inexpensive additions to your growing wardrobe. If you want to put some fun into your boring mini skirt and top ensemble, a patterned pair of tights can bring some life to it.

You can also pair these tights with above-the-knee-length mini dresses. But try not to overwhelm the ensemble by wearing funky or overly-printed tops. Try to balance things out by pairing with plain or one-colored tops.

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Front-pleated Pants These pants are made for walking...not just the runway, but anywhere. These trousers are reminiscent of harem styles, but they are cropped and pleated at the front. You can pair these with tucked-in tops to better show off your entire physique. If you remember in previous decades, trousers like these have also existed; however, they were longer like your usual pant suits or slacks. These are better worn on casual dates or out-of-town getaways.

They're also great if you want a comfy day at work, and you can pair them with a knitted sweater or a casual top and opened jacket.

Winter Shorts Now why would anyone wear shorts during the winter? Why not? Since tights have been around and still showing signs of permanence, why not pair them with shorts that are made especially for the cold weather?

Thick tights can help you keep your legs warm, so winter shorts can be cool and hip to wear. Make sure your shorts are dark-colored and made of thick fabrics like wool to keep you from getting cold.

Chunky Chokers You may have seen Louis Vuitton runway models and celebs wearing chunky chokers everywhere. Many are expecting that this accessory will make waves during the fall season. Whether you're wearing t-shirt and jeans or a chic and sassy dress for an evening date, these chokers can add class to your current wardrobe.

Fall is here, and it's time to liven up your wardrobe with something new. You don't need too much money when you're scouting for the top five trends for this year's fall season. Check the nearest mall or online store for sales and good deals, so you won't empty your wallet while shopping for the fall.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

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By Jennifer Franco

Halloween has always been associated with horrific beings, scary creatures and the commemoration of the souls of those who died. However, the modern world has created ways for the season to be everything but gloomy and frightening. If you look at your neighbor's backyard, you'll know what I'm talking about—PUMPKINS. Every holiday has its trademark object. Trees are for Christmas, just like eggs are for Easter. Out of all the holidays, the one that really makes everyone squeal with curiosity about its symbolism is, by far, Halloween. Of all things, why are pumpkins the fad during Halloween? Witches and bats are quite selfexplanatory, and scary creatures being the theme of the season are unquestionable; but the Jack O' Lantern has been quite a source of fascination. People have been primping their yards with Jack o' Lanterns from time immemorial during Hallow's Eve without even knowing why they do. This time, let's try to uncover the mystery behind the famous and Halloween-y Jack O' Lantern.

The Answer Goes Way Back in Ireland

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The tradition of the originally from Ireland. legend that initially hundreds of years ago. was not a pumpkin, Stingy Jack. Stingy Jack village people as bat an eyelash about people. However, his limited to children, his villagers. His pranks level when he played a

Jack O' Lantern is It has its roots in an old circulated around Ireland However, Jack O' Lantern but a prankster dubbed was infamous among the someone who would not playing callous tricks on tricks were not only family or his fellow took off on a different trick on the Devil himself.

One day, Stingy Jack climbing an apple tree. his way to the top, around the tree, Devil from coming Jack drew the last Devil swear that the soul to hell upon forced to promise in order for Jack to take away the crosses.

tricked the Devil into While the Devil was on Stingy Jack placed crosses naturally preventing the back down. Then, Stingy straw when he made the latter would not take his death. The Devil was

Years later, when Stingy Jack died, he went to the gates of Heaven, thinking that it's the only place for him to go since the Devil promised not to take his soul. However, Saint Peter said that his evil deeds when he was still alive would forfeit his entrance to Heaven. With no other place to go, Stingy Jack went to the gates of Hell expecting the Devil to accept him. However, the Devil turned out to be a man of his word. Stingy Jack was not accepted in Hell either because of his wager with the Devil. Instead, the Devil handed Stingy Jack a lantern to guide him on his way. Jack placed the lantern inside a carved pumpkin (or a turnip in other versions) and desperately sought for a place where his soul could rest.

Just like some scary creatures without a place for their spirits to linger, Jack roamed the world of the living totting his "Jack O' Lantern".

What Pumpkins Have Become During Halloween The Jack O' Lantern tradition was brought to America sometime in the 1800s by Irish immigrants. Since then, pumpkin carving has been one of the highlights during Halloween.

Scary creatures, cartoon characters, vampire and witches are made from artistically carved out pumpkins.

These Jack O' Lanterns don't only decorate homes in America but also in other parts of the globe.

Some countries in Asia like Indonesia and the Philippines have already incorporated the pumpkin-carving tradition into their own Halloween practices. This cultural assimilation has enriched customs practiced during Hallow's Eve. This tradition has made Halloween into more than just a season when ghostly apparitions and scary creatures dominate. It also becomes a time to harness those gardening and artistic skills.

Indeed, The Jack O' Lantern has created a whole new meaning to the word pumpkin.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 38

Thanksgiving Check Off List

By Victoria

Thanksgiving is celebrating the fall harvest with friends and family. If you are planning a Thanksgiving dinner, it's important not to forget anything, so you can your guests can have fun celebrating the holiday. Follow this Thanksgiving Check off List, so you can be sure that you don't miss a thing.

Table Decorations First of all, you must make sure that your table decorations have an appropriate fall or Thanksgiving theme. You want to look for fall colors such as red, orange, yellow or brown and patterns like pumpkins, squash, pilgrims, leaves, Native Americans and turkey. Then, you can easily mix and match your dishes, flatware, serving wear and table cloth. You want your guest to experience the fall spirit.

Drinks You want an assortment of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. To start off the evening, you want to offer your guests ice tea, soda, beer or wine. Then, at dinner, you want to serve ice tea, soda or wine. Make sure you offer both red and white wines to your guests at dinner. Wine drinkers usually prefer one over the other. At

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dessert, you want to serve hot tea, coffee, blush wine (white zinfandel) or port wine. If you want to get creative with drinks, you can add some Thanksgiving spice by making pumpkin lattes or pumpkin martinis.

Turkey Eating turkey is a tradition on Thanksgiving, and it's delicious. You can deep fry turkey, which is the newest trend. Or, for a more healthy turkey, you can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil, and add some zesty herbs and spices. If vegetarians are attending your Thanksgiving celebration, don't forget to pick up a tofu turkey, so they can join in the eating celebration.

Side Dishes Depending on how many guests are attending and what their preferences are, you can determine how many and what types of side dishes you want to serve. First, you want to have the typical thanksgiving side dishes such as stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy (for the turkey, of course). Then, you would need a few potato dishes such as baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes. You can get a little bit creative with potatoes by adding some marshmallows and brown sugar to sweet potatoes, throwing in some garlic and cheddar in mashed potatoes, or getting a few fixings like bacon, chives, sour cream, butter and cheese for your guests to create a loaded baked potato. Of course you want to get some veggies for health-conscious guests.

Some good options are green bean casseroles, broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus or winter squash. Don't add any butter or cheese beforehand to the vegetables; that way, you can accommodate the healthy eaters. You can always have sides of butter and cheese for other guests to add. Last, you need some warm bread or rolls to complete the side dishes. You can pick up some easy-to-bake bread or croissant rolls. Or, if you are adventurous, you can even make homemade bread.

Dessert The typical Thanksgiving desserts are pecan, apple or pumpkin pies. For guests who don't care for pies, you can also add a few other desserts such as cookies, fresh fruit, cupcakes or cake. For an added treat, you can incorporate Thanksgiving foods such as pecans, apples and pumpkins into other fall desserts like pecan cookies, pumpkin bread or apple cake. Regardless of how many guest you invite, make sure there is an assortment of desserts they would like.

Now, you have your Thanksgiving Check Off List, so you won’t miss anything.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 40

By Joy Bates

Who says Halloween is a holiday for children and the singles community only? Halloween has traditionally been a holiday of the trick-or-treating-door-to-door craze, haunted houses, scary costumes, an assortment of devilish delights, spooky decors and more. The thrill of decorating a pumpkin, masquerading around town and indulging in the festivities are certainly not limited to kids and singles. You and your partner can conjure up something exciting or romantic in the spirit of Halloween. Let the fun begin as you evoke the magic of Halloween in your own backyard. Here are some ideas: Make it a Pumpkin Night Plan a visit to the pumpkin patch, and pick up two pumpkins on Halloween night. As soon as you get home, break out your carving kit, markers and candles. Prepare a lovely dinner for two. Have a candlelight dinner with your favorite wine or champagne.

Afterwards, you and your sweetheart carve and decorate your own pumpkins.

Once your pumpkins are ready for display, place them on the window sill, doorstep or somewhere in the house where you can enjoy the pleasure of viewing them and admiring each other’s artwork. Depending on your mood, the rest of the evening can be spent watching a scary movie together or producing an atmosphere of love and romance.

Plan a Treasure Hunt Are you ready for some Halloween action? Then bring your creativity to the table. You and your honey individually generate a map, which outlines a list of all the items that will be hidden with their corresponding clues. If you really want to get creative, make arrangements to purchase Halloween-themed items in advance. For example, a skull pendant, black nail polish, 41

miniature pumpkin, garlic, fangs, cross, and a candle. Otherwise, choose random articles you have available at home to be included in your treasure hunt.

The rules of the game should be defined by you and your partner. However, for simplicity’s sake, your mission is to hide the objects specified on your map in various places in the house, front yard and backyard based on your suggested clues. Once you’ve completed that task, your partner begins his or her search for the hidden treasures within a specific timeframe. The process starts again with your partner hiding his objects and you hunting for the missing items based on his or her clues.

Whoever finds the most objects wins the game. In terms of prizes, the winner receives a gift or a total body massage. Those are simply suggestions. Let your imagination run wild and come up with an innovative prize.

Organize a Small, Intimate Halloween Party This would be a perfect idea to get together with your closest friends and dress up for the occasion. Wear something sexy or scary, which you can purchase online or at a Halloween store. If you prefer to make it yourself, get your creative juices flowing; but make sure to give yourself plenty of time to do so. Remember, your aim is to coordinate a small and intimate shindig, so limit your guest list to two to three couples. Remind them to wear costumes to add to the excitement. You can either prepare the entire Halloween dinner yourself, or assign your guests to each bring their choice of dish, dessert or alcoholic beverage.

To liven up the mood and share some laughter with your friends, incorporate some form of entertainment such as playing charades, cards or a board game.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 42

By Kathy Smith Thanksgiving usually has been thought of as a family event where large and abundant meals, relatives and football games were the main centerpiece during this holiday season. There are a lot of things that need to be done during this season; you’ll be busy, and you might end up neglecting your partner/relationship during the Thanksgiving season. This shouldn't be the case. You should make time to insert a bit of romance and also let your partner feel how special he/she is to you during Thanksgiving.

Below are ten ideas to give your partner and your love relationship that romantic spark that it needs:

 Have fun cooking together. If both you and your partner enjoy the pleasures of cooking, then do set a bit of time aside for both of you where you could try and cook for each other and enjoy the Thanksgiving treats that you'll each be preparing.

 Be a date to somebody else. You could volunteer to be somebody else's date so that person will not be alone during this holiday season. This could make you more thankful for all your blessings and not focus on the many problems.

 Play a game of "Twister". You could play this game with your partner to really unwind a bit from all the chaotic but happy hustle and bustle that is Thanksgiving.

 Attending that service. During Thanksgiving, be sure to attend at least one spiritual/religious service together.

Make this a time for reflection.

 Watch that festive parade during Thanksgiving. You and your partner could watch the parade together before Thanksgiving dinner with either of your families. This ensures a bit of together time well before your families intrude.

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 Have an unusual date with your partner. Do the unusual date by exercising together. Go biking around the neighborhood, or you could go to the gym together. This will actually help you shed pesky holiday pounds as well as give you and your partner some quality time together.

 Cozying up by the fireplace. Turn your fireplace on; make some really good cocoa; turn your lights down, and play some really good, soothing music. These quiet moments are really the most sweet and romantic times.

 Go driving around the countryside. You and your partner should sneak out at sometime and just go for that leisurely drive through the countryside. It will give lots of alone time with each other before you tackle Thanksgiving dinner with family.

 Prepare that private celebration for you guys on Thanksgiving! Spend really quality time with your partner by having a romantic Thanksgiving dinner celebration for just the two of you. Make it really special and be sure to appreciate your partner and be really thankful you have each other.

 Watching/attending a game of football. This can be made into a tradition, or you could do this just once. You could either watch on TV, or you could attend with your partner at the ball field.

Either way, you'd be sure to have fun!

There are lots of things you can do with your partner on Thanksgiving to keep that fire burning even during the holiday season where family is the priority. Enjoy!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 44

By Jo Hedesan Celebrated at the beginning of November, the Celtic Festival of Samhain marked the coming of the winter months, with their dimming light and heightening darkness. The root of the word “Samhain” comes from “samhradh”, meaning “summer” in Irish Gaelic. While the exact etymology has not been confirmed by scholars, in Celtic tradition, “Samhain” corresponds to “end of summer” (a combination of samh “summer” and fuin “ending, concealment”).

Samhain and Beltanne (May Day) stood in opposition as the beginning of the season of winter and summer, respectively; but Samhain was a much more prominent festival and may have marked the beginning of the Celtic New Year. Samhain was, consequently, a festival of deepening darkness and budding light. It was a meeting place between two opposites—the winter and the summer, the dark and the light, death and life. As such, the festival contained both aspects of existence—although the darkness, increasing at this time, was more profuse and substantial.

In its dark aspect, Samhain marked a period of destruction and chaos. Perhaps the most dramatic illustration of this was the ritual killing of the Irish kings of Tara. According to evidence and interpretation, the kings that had behaved unsuitably or impiously in office would be killed on the day of Samhain. Ritual killing was also affected against animals. Samhain was the season when the cattle that would not be kept through the winter were slaughtered. On Samhain, the forces of darkness, or chaos, returned to rule.

According to Irish mythology, November 1st marked the day that the demonic Fomorian race oppressed the people of Nemed.

According to another legend, the divine Aillen the Burner puts everyone to sleep at Samhain and burns the palace of the Irish kings at Tara.

During the festival, bands of men, women and children dressed in masks and costumes embodied the havoccausing divinities and inflicted their own terror and chaos on the neighborhood. For example, the tyrannical Irish king Conn Cetcathach was killed by fifty warriors dressed as women. The habit of cross-dressing was popular in various parts of the Celtic world as expressions of the breakdown of rules on Samhain.

Samhain was also a time when the dead came back to roam the earth. This happened because the normal order no longer applied, and hence the boundaries of the otherworld were broken. Freed from the rules that clearly separate one world from the next, the dead returned to visit the living. They were welcomed at ritual feasts 45

where they were “actually” present. It was this custom of honoring the dead that made the Catholic Church adopt the dates of November 1st and 2nd as the Day of the Saints and Day of the Departed.

If Samhain was a dreaded time when rules were broken and demons roamed the earth, it was also a time when light was re-born. Samhain was not a festival of the sun: the sun is in retreat in autumn. Instead, Samhain marked the birth of a mystical light—a light that may originate in the first ray of sun at dawn or the first lunar ray after the new moon. In Ireland, a bonfire was started on the royal hill of Tara accompanying, perhaps, the coronation of a new king after the killing of the old one. The custom of lighting fires on Samhain was also pervasive in Scotland and Wales.

In line with this new light, Samhain was also a time when the forces of good eventually prevailed; the demon Fomorians were destroyed, Aillen the Burner was slain.

Divination was also pervasive as a practical translation of the ‘light in the darkness’ motif; the diviner would try to shed a dim light into the dark future.

This combination of darkness and light, fear and hope, order and chaos gave Samhain its particular coloring of a merry time of misbehaving. It was a festival where rules were briefly abolished and tension— whether communal, social, political or even psychological— could be released. It was also a time when new order was born—hence the competitions and games of worth that were practiced during this period.

Figures of power were abolished, and others replaced them; rules were destroyed and recreated.

It is perhaps of interest to see what has remained of this festival time in today’s Halloween customs: the symbolic kindling of fires in the lit pumpkin, games of worth in the popular bobbing for apples—a water ordeal. The havoc wreaked by deities and the dead in modern movies like Halloween, Scream, Dracula, American Werewolf in London and other horror classics; the identification of the living with deities and the dead in Halloween trick-or-treating and costume-wearing; the sacral fear surrounding the Samhain celebration survives in urban legends of razors hidden in apples to harm children; the tradition of Samhain feasts in Halloween parties, trick-or-treating and Halloween candy; mischief survives in the mild “tricks” played on those that do not propitiate the costumed revelers; abolition of traditional hierarchy is still present in the ascendance of children over adults during the Halloween season.

Perhaps more investigations should be carried out in this aspect, yet what is certain is that Samhain has evolved into Halloween in subtle, but yet powerful ways, maintaining in the process its fundamental character of an outof-the-ordinary time when rules become more relaxed and identities more fluid behind the mask. It is unfortunate that its spiritual core has taken second place to ‘ordered chaos’, yet the enduring power of the Samhain is witnessed by its innovative ways to survive and adapt in the modern world.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 46

By Charlotte Winslow

Fall is a beautiful time of year. The leaves are beginning to change, and you can feel a bit of a chill in the air. As you come in from your walk through the park, smelling of the fresh outdoors, nothing quite warms you inside and out as a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

I enjoy walking in the woods beyond my back yard, especially when there's a nip in the air. With my sweats keeping me warm, I slowly meander along, taking it all in. The profusion of colors is simply breathtaking. The crisp, clean smell in the air refreshes me for the coming day. As I near my house I begin to anticipate the aroma of freshly brewed hot chocolate, with mini-marshmallows swirling on top. It fills me with a warm, happy glow.

I urge you to get outside, and breathe in the scents of nature this fall. Don't let another day pass you by. It really helps me relax, and I'm sure it will do the same for you. But don't forget the hot chocolate afterward. That's one of my favorite parts of the ritual. I have included two of my favorite recipes for you to try:

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3 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder Dash of salt 1 /4 cup hot water 1 1 /2 cups milk Mini-marshmallows (optional) 1. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder and salt.

2. Add water and stir.

3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it boils.

4. Continue to boil, and stir constantly for two minutes.

5. Add milk, and heat until warm enough to serve.

Do not bring to a boil again.

6. Remove from heat, and beat with a wire whisk until frothy.

7. Add mini-marshmallows, if desired. Serve immediately.

3 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder Dash of salt 1 /4 cup hot water 1 1/2 cups milk 1 /8 tsp. vanilla extract 2 Tbsp. marshmallow crème 1. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder and salt.

2. Add water and stir. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it boils.

3. Continue to boil, and stir constantly for two minutes.

4. Add milk, and heat until warm enough to serve.

Do not bring to a boil again.

5. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Beat with wire whisk until foamy.

6. Whisk in marshmallow crème, and enjoy.

Source: ArticlesFactory.com 48

By Lucille Green Apples are sweet, juicy and always nice to eat. They are also used to make great juices, cakes and fruit salads.

And the recipes are easy to understand as well. Below are some great apple recipes you can prepare today to take advantage of autumn’s bounty and fill your home with the sweet scent of baked apples. These variations on apple crisp will expand your fall dessert repertoire and celebrate the season.

Ingredients:        

4 cups of sliced apples 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup oatmeal 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 cup butter or melted margarine Salt, as necessary

Directions:  



Put sliced apples in a baking pan and sprinkle with lemon juice.

Combine all dry ingredients with butter or melted margarine and mix with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle all this over apples.

Bake at 350 degrees for at least 30 minutes.

Ingredients:        

6 to 8 cooking apples 1 cup flour 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 3/4 cup butter 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 peel of one lemon 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:  

    

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Peel, quarter and core cooking apples. Cut apple quarters into thin slices and place it in a bowl.

Blend nutmeg and cinnamon then sprinkle over apples. Sprinkle with lemon rind. Add lemon juice and toss to blend.

Arrange slices in a large baking dish.

Make a mixture of sugar, flour and butter in a mixing bowl then sprinkle over apples, smoothing it over.

Place the dish in the oven.

If dish is very full, put a pan under the dish to catch spills.

Bake at 350° for 60 minutes, until browned and apples are tender.

Ingredients:          

3 Apples 1/4 cup Raisins 1/4 cup Chopped nuts 1/8 cup Water 3/8 cup Brown sugar 1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon 1/2 tablespoon Lemon juice 2 tablespoon Flour 2 tablespoon margarine 1/8 teaspoon Salt

Directions:      

Wash, pare, core and slice apples thinly. Mix with raisins.

Place in a greased casserole.

Add cinnamon, salt, lemon juice and water.

Work sugar, flour and margarine (fat) together to form crumb like consistency.

Spread over apple and raisin mixture.

Bake in 350 degree oven for at least 30 minutes.

Ingredients:         

3 Apples, unpeeled if desired, chopped 1 1/2 cup flour 1 1/2 cup of uncooked Quick oats 1 cup of brown sugar 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped 3/4 cup Butter 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda 1/4 teaspoon Salt 1 packet semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels, divided (12 oz)

Directions:  



  

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt.

With 2 knives or pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in oats. Press half of oat mixture into greased 13x9" baking pan.

To remaining oat mixture, add Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels, apples and pecans.

Stir to combine.

Sprinkle over base.

Bake at least 35 minutes until lightly browned.

Cool slightly; cut into squares.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com 50

By Travis Van Slooten

The Amazon Kindle is not only the hottest e-book reader on the market today; but next to the iPhone, it’s one of the most popular electronic gadgets. At the time of this writing it has been out of stock for weeks, and those that have placed orders for the Kindle will be waiting for several more weeks to get it.

While the Kindle is certainly the leader in the e-book reader market, Apple is fast on its heels with the iPhone. From listening to music or watching your favorite movies to playing games, you can do it with the iPhone; so why not read books on the device as well? That's what Apple seems to think, anyway; and, as a result, Apple is quickly trying to give the Kindle a run for its money as an e-book reader.

Recently, it was announced that several major publishers have signed deals with ScrollMotion, a New York mobile application developer. ScrollMotion is a new app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that will allow consumers to buy and read electronic versions of newly released and best-selling books. This latest iPhone app puts Apple directly in the e-book business in a big way.

Despite Apple's ambitions, there are two main differences that should favor the Kindle (at least for now) as strictly an e-book reader. The first obvious difference is the size of the display. Try reading a chapter of your favorite book on a 3.5-inch display, the size of the display on the iPhone, and you'll likely go crazy. Contrast that to the Kindle's six-inch diagonal display, and there's no comparison in reading comfort. The other main difference between these devices is the technology that is used in the displays themselves. The Kindle uses e-Ink technology to display text while the iPhone works much like a computer monitor where light is emitted to display text. The difference in these technologies is dramatic. When you read text on 51

the Kindle, it looks just like text on paper; and there is virtually no eye strain, even after long reading sessions.

With the iPhone, reading text is much like reading from your computer monitor (on a much smaller scale) and will almost certainly strain your eyes.

When you compare these devices side-by-side as strictly e-book readers, the larger display and display technology easily favors the Amazon Kindle. There are two things in Apple's favor, however, that could trump the Kindle's success. The first being iPhone's availability and price, and the second being the convenience of being able to do everything with one small device. The iPhone is readily available and is cheaper than the Kindle.

As for screen size and potential eye strain, consumers may be willing to make these sacrifices if it means they can use one device for everything. The ideal gadget would have the features of the iPhone and the Kindle, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

I believe in the end dedicated e-book readers like the Kindle will always have a leg up on smaller communication and entertainment devices like the iPhone. That doesn't mean Apple is out of the game. Who knows, could the Apple "iReader" be right around the corner? When comparing the Kindle versus. iPhone as an e-book reader, it's important that you determine exactly what your needs are in a reading device. It's also important you know what the Kindle can and cannot do. For that, read up on full Amazon Kindle reviews.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 52

By Richard Mas

The ASUS Netbook is the top selling netbook on the market right now. In this article, we are going to explore what makes this netbook so popular and the main reason that you should buy it instead of the others on the market. You have probably heard of netbooks by now; but if not, let's take a look at the differences between the traditional laptop and a netbook.

Technology advances continue to allow us to have great things in small packages. Where we once had to have a computer on the desk, we were then allowed to take it with us in the form of a laptop at about the same level of horsepower. Netbooks continue the trend of portability that laptops brought us, but they offer even more convenience, often referred to as "ultra-portability". Netbooks are designed to be ultra-light so that you can take them with you virtually anywhere, just as you would your iPod. Then, we may ask (as we did when laptops entered the market), what are we sacrificing? What does a laptop have that a netbook does not? This question is most easily answered by looking at the main components of each. Every computer is equipped with a few essential items that are important for speed, capacity and the overall user experience. With technology advances, manufacturers have been able to equip laptops and netbooks with essentially the same insides. Let's take a look at these essential ingredients.

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The ASUS Netbook comes with 1GB of memory and is expandable to 2GB, if you would like. For any activity other than intense gaming, these specifications are easily sufficient. The ASUS Netbook boasts a 160GB Hard Drive, which is more than enough for any on-the-go data and all of your music. As a benchmark, 160GB could hold more than 35,000 songs. If you need to extend this amount, which would only be true if you store massive amounts of songs and movies, you can get an external hard drive for less than $100.

There are two primary differences between a laptop and netbook in regards to the user-experience. Each of these factors makes netbooks "ultra-portable". One, netbooks have slightly smaller screens. To offset this, when you are in one place, you can simply hook up your ASUS Netbook to a top LCD TV, and use it as your monitor. And, two, netbooks have slightly smaller keyboards. This does not take long to get used to for most people because the keyboard is relatively scaled to a natural keyboard.

While the ASUS Netbook meets and exceeds all of the needs for basic computing power, it excels and beats all of the other netbooks in one key category: battery life.

Equipped with an Intel processor designed for speed, portability and video, the ASUS blows away the competition in battery life. The ASUS exceeds ten hours of battery life with the competitors trailing at half that time. This alone makes the ASUS Netbook worth it!

In summary, the ASUS Netbook is equipped with all of the essential computing needs. It is absolutely the best netbook on the market because of the more than ten hours of battery life. And, to top it all off, it is less expensive than most of the other netbooks on the market.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com 54

By Sara Schneider

At Beringer Vineyards' stately Rhine House in St. Helena, California, nighttime workers often hear footsteps where there are no people. A translucent woman wanders the upstairs hall of the old Manor House at Stags' Leap Winery in Napa. And La Presencia haunts tank 19 in the Red Barn at Frog's Leap in Rutherford.

What these spirits have in common is that the structures they inhabit are also ghosts--a designation loosely given to wineries operating in Northern California before the 18th Amendment banning the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors" was ratified in 1919.

Prohibition effectively killed most of them.

The ghost wineries are the skeletons in the industry's collective closet: many were built, so to speak, on the backs of Chinese laborers, who erected the thick stone walls and toiled in the vineyards.

They're also reminders of Northern California's first glory days, when “Napa” became an important wine credential in the world. Some wineries—like Far Niente, Spotts-woode, and Ladera, in addition to the "haunted" ones preceding—have been restored to their former grandeur (and functionality).

This month, if you're in the area, you can take a lantern tour of Ladera Vineyards on Howell Mountain. The tour is scheduled by appointment only and costs $50, including tasting. Go to sunset.com/ghostwineries for a list of other ghost wineries you can visit.

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Linking fall wine to sausage If you spell Oktoberfest with a K, you probably never stray from beer with sausage. But John Stewart and Duskie Estes beg to differ. They make salami and fresh sausages in Northern California under the name Black Pig, and also grow grapes for Holdredge Wines.

They're also the chef-owner couple behind Zazu restaurant in Santa Rosa and Bovolo in Healdsburg.

Their bold ideas for pairing autumnal wines and sausage include the following recommendations: fennel pork (mild Italian) with Pinot Noir, lamb with Pinot or Syrah, wild boar with Syrah or Zinfandel, and "bubbles and pink with everything".

Our shocking winning pairing is polish sausage and brut Champagne.

Our pick for fine fall wines and regions is Anderson Valley. This California appellation was the up-andcoming wine region in our 2007 Western Wine Awards. The following list details excellent wines from this region: 1. Goldeneye Pinot Noir 2004 ($52). Dark berries, dried cherries and herbs under loamy forestfloor aromas.

2. Lazy Creek Red Table Wine nonvintage ($19). This is 100 percent Pinot, with a noseful of herbs and dark fruit followed by berry and dried cherry.

3. Londer Pinot Noir 2005 ($33). The bright raspberries and cherries in this elegant, lighter-bodied Pinot are hallmarks of the region.

4. Navarro Pinot Gris 2006 ($18). Delicate lemon grass, honey-suckle and pear aromas followed by lemon-lime zest and white-peach flavors.

5. Roederer Estate Brut Rose nonvintage ($26). Tiny, creamy bubbles carry wild strawberry, bright cherry and refreshing lemon-lime flavors.

Source: findarticles.com

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By Jeff Yates

Many CEOs, dot-commers, investment bankers, entertainment individualists and average Americans have toyed with the idea of changing their lives and buying a small chateau or winery where they'll live happily ever after. It's not just a fantasy; life among the vineyards is really beautiful. In November the array of autumn's deep colors and gnarled vineyards can provoke passion in wine lovers.

Napa Valley vineyards grow in perfect settings, on rolling hills or in pleasant valleys. Grapes so recently hanging among the vines have found their way into fermentation tanks and small oak barrels. Soon enough these initial wines will make mouths water and palates tingle in appreciation.

The following list highlights three wines that are perfect for the autumn season and can also be enjoyed year-round: 1. Etude 'Napa' Cabernet Sauvignon Heady pure fruit aromas of dark red fruit, black plum, black cherry and mocha leap from the glass of this classic Cabernet

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Sauvignon and lead into layers of warm baking spices and anise.

The palate is full of rich fruit supported by supple tannins that are long and fine. An opulent Cabernet Sauvignon with powerful structure and intensity that underscores why this varietal is one of the major pursuits at Etude.

2. Cliff Lede 'Stags Leap District' Cabernet Sauvignon Pronounced notes of vibrant cassis, violets, sabra and black cherry coulis. In the palate, a mĂŠlange of flavors outlined by red currant, hazelnut and blood plum fill the mouth in a procession of tight and gently-integrated tannins with just a hint of cacao nibs. This brooding and exorbitant Cabernet displays the complexity, the finesse and the elegance reflective of the Stags Leap Appellation.

3. Jaffe Estate Transformation Fans of the storied Napa vintages of the late 20th century will notice in Transformation the skillful balance supposedly lost to California wines after the turn of the millennium. This wine entices with aromas of raspberries, violets and black currants.

The palate is velvet from entry to finish, with red currant, raspberry, blackberry, subtle flavors of allspice and notes of earth and smoke appearing by turns.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com 58