<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0"  xmlns:gf="http://www.glam.com/schemas/feedext">
  <channel>
    <title><![CDATA[Glam Media Network Blog Posts for - Travel]]></title>
    <link>http://www.glam.com/</link>
    <description><![CDATA[Current Glam Media Network Blog Entries for - Travel]]></description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:02:06 PDT</pubDate>
    <generator>Glam Media Publishing Engine</generator>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Pan-Fried Mahi-Mahi Steaks]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/pan-fried-mahi-mahi-steaks/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[I call this pan-fried mahi-mahi dish with wild rice and sauteed spinach a &#8220;Before The 4th of July&#8221; meal. Meaning, before we binge on hotdogs, burgers, steaks, etc, I decided to cook seafood for tonight&#8217;s dinner. 
The last time I cooked mahi-mahi, I gave in to my Husband&#8217;s request of baking the fish. This time around, I decided to just pan-fry the mahi-mahi steaks. I marinated it in a simple olive oil based marinade first of course. 
Pan-Fried Mahi-Mahi (Image  Dexie Wharton)
INGREDIENTS :
2 mahi-mahi steaks
1/4 cup olive oil
juice of 1 wedge of lime
sprinkle of garlic powder
sprinkle of ginger powder
sprinkle of dried parsley
sprinkle of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
butter for pan-frying
Combine the olive oil, garlic powder, ginger powder, lime juice, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Which everything together. Pour over the mahi-mahi steaks. Coat each sides of the fish. Marinate for 10-15 minutes or so. 
Melt butter in non-stick pan. Fry the fish, skin side first. About 8-10 minutes on each sides. 
Serve the fish with Uncle Ben&#8217;s Wile Rice and sauteed spinach. 
Post from: Blisstree
Pan-Fried Mahi-Mahi Steaks]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:26:50</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Independence Day Printables]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/independence-day-printables/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[While you are in the kitchen whipping up your world famous potato salad, you don&#8217;t want the kids anywhere near the pool, so you need some quick and easy projects to entertain them while you are putting the finishing touches on your family&#8217;s Independence Day meal. What about some July 4th coloring sheets or some fun worksheets? Here are some of my favorites:
Photo: SXC
Printables4Kids.com has a cute Happy Birthday USA coloring sheet and a variety of related worksheets.
DLTK-Kids.com has a whole stack of Independence Day printables, including Bingo sheets. (By the way, there were a couple of pop up ads.)
Kaboose has a variety of coloring sheets , including an American Eagle sheet that is sure to appeal to older children.
For older children, you may want to check out Kids Holiday Crafts . The 4th of July craft projects look like they&#8217;ll keep kids well entertained for a few minutes!
Post from: Blisstree
Independence Day Printables]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:21:25</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[How to be perfectly green - just like me!]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/how-to-be-perfectly-green-just-like-me/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[So, does the title above sound like a phrase from a Dr. Seuss book or what?! That&#8217;s about all it&#8217;s good for though. If you were looking to be perfectly green for real, you&#8217;ve come to the wrong place. What I&#8217;m here to tell you is that no one is perfectly green. Not the authors of the green living books you read, not the folks handing out green advice at popular green hot spots like Treehugger or Grist (although I love them both), and most certainly not me.

I mention this because every so often I&#8217;ll run into what I call an Green-Nazi. In Humboldt it happened a lot. In Portland it happens less, but it still happens. Green Nazis think they&#8217;re greener than everyone else and criticize you on lots of lame little things. You use a reusable water bottle, live in a small house, use reusable grocery bags, and make all homemade cleaners - it still isn&#8217;t enough for the Green Nazis, they&#8217;ll just whine about the fact that they found one piece of plastic in your fridge or a clothing item in your closet made from conventional cotton. If you have kids it can be even worse because the crunchier than you parents descend in and attack.
To be fair, Green Nazis types are good in a way because they do remind you of what you could be doing to be greener. But on the far bigger cons side, these folks use shame and guilt to make you feel like you should be greener, not education and support. Personally, I hate that these folks turn some people off to green living and make other green-happy people look bad. Lastly, as noted above, the Green Nazis are just plain wrong; they aren&#8217;t perfect. It&#8217;s totally impossible; well, maybe not totally, but in today&#8217;s society, being perfectly green and leaving zero footprints would be a huge feat.
If you&#8217;ve run into folks like this, or if green living is frustrating you because you&#8217;ve made mistakes, take heart and keep on trucking. To make you feel better I&#8217;ve made a list of ten anti-green things I did this week.

I left the coffee pot on overnight: This mistake surprised me because I&#8217;m normally really good about turning stuff off, and even unplugging items when not in use. When I noticed the coffee pot had been left on for about 24 hours, my first thought was HOW not eco-friendly. The second - um, I could have burned the house down (see how my priorities are screwy).
I used toxic Raid to terminate a spider and trust me I will again.
I bought non-organic apples: I HATE doing this. Apples are one of the dirty dozen but the organic apples at the store this week looked like someone ran them down with a semi, so I bought conventional.
I bought non-organic, non-fair trade coffee along with the apples. The organic was too expensive this week where I was.
I bought my son a Lunchable. One, not organic. Two, so much excess packaging it&#8217;s crazy.
I forgot to refill the water bottle in my fridge so I let the water run before filling my glass when I should have just gotten ice.
I drove to the store for just two items. Could I have lived without them - yeah probably.
I threw a toilet paper tube in the trash. I suck with toilet paper tubes.
I ran one load of wash that could have been fuller had I tried.
I bought a toxic car air freshener. Stupid because duh, I know how to make homemade and or non-toxic ones.

Do I feel guilty? Actually yeah somewhat. I usually realize when I make green mistakes and it eats at me a bit. Some mistakes bug me more than others, especially when they affect my son (like the non-organic apples). BUT I don&#8217;t let the mistakes get me too down. I&#8217;m pretty good about green living overall and more importantly I try. If you make mistakes, but try, you can&#8217;t really let yourself get too down about it, or you&#8217;ll get so frustrated that you&#8217;ll give up. Giving up is the worst green choice you can make. Small steps are better than no steps. Tell yourself that the next time you feel bad about a choice you make, avoid the Green Nazis, and trust me, it&#8217;ll all be fine.
Do you ever feel green guilt? How come?
[image via stock.xchng] 

Post from: Blisstree
How to be perfectly green - just like me!]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:06:50</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Cheating At Work - Cops Caught Kissing]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/cheating-at-work-cops-caught-kissing/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Have you heard about the police chef in Ohio who was caught on video &#8220;canoodling&#8221; with another officer, while in a police cruiser and on the job? And there was a prisoner in the back seat. From what I saw of the video, they don&#8217;t really do much, just kissing, cuddling, but both officers are married. He&#8217;s 57 and she&#8217;s 30.
On the day that the video was taken, June 2, the two officers weredriving back from Cincinnati, where they picked up a burglary suspect, to their town of Perry Township, 50 miles away. In the video, the female officer is seen checking to make sure that the suspect in the back seat was asleep. The dashboard camera&#8217;s red light, that signals that it is active and on, was tampered with, so the officers did not know that they were being taped. An anonymous tip brought the tape to attention.
Have you ever been involved with a co-worker? Either while single or in a relationship? Have you been tempted?
When I was very young (19) I was engaged and my boyfriend wasaway atboot camp. While he was gone, I went down to Southern California to live with my dad for a few months. I worked in a restaurant there and a guy that I worked with seemed to find my engagement a challenge. He worked me day after day, in an attempt to get me to cheat on my fiance, but I never did. One time, after a particularly bad argument with the fiance (we argued a lot an he is now married to someone else - I believe happily and for a long time 18+ years), I thought, hey why not, maybe I should do it just this once. I did not follow through with it, I did not cheat at that time.
People spend a lot of time at work and they form connections with the folks they spend that time with. Sometimes these connections are a distraction and a way to escape the stress or even boredom of Real Life. In the case of my restaurant boy, I was lonely and young, away from my friends at that time, and this boy was very cute. It was tempting, but cheating sucks and I have rarely even come close to doing it.
I&#8217;d like to say that I&#8217;ve never done it, but that would not be completely honest and I&#8217;ve made a habit of being honest withyou readers. Idid make a fewmistakes in the past (way, way, way in the past), but they were not with someone at work (which does mean that it was alright). These days, nothing could be farther from my mind. The boyfriend that I have is all that I can handle.
Being in a committed relationship is like a job in that you have to work at it every day. You have to remind yourself what you are there for and reaffirm your commitment. You have to be a good co-worker or you run the risk of a bad performance review or possible termination - I&#8217;m talking divorce or breakup here, not death.
&#8220;Canoodling.&#8221; Isn&#8217;t that a silly word?
Image credit: Sxc.hu 
Post from: Blisstree
Cheating At Work - Cops Caught Kissing]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:57:31</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Chicken Parm Pasta Salad]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/chicken-parm-pasta-salad/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re going to a picnic tomorrow, and one of the things we have to do is bring a &#8220;dish to pass.&#8221;  Since it&#8217;s summer and I know we&#8217;ll be having burgers and brats, I wanted a starch to go along with the rest of our meal, but also something that would be substantial in and of itself.  When I need a recipe like that, I usually pick a pasta salad.

While I normally don&#8217;t like creamy, cold pasta salads, this one from Betty Crocker is delish!  It doesn&#8217;t have that heavy mayo taste, and also isn&#8217;t drenched in salad dressing.  The cooked chicken give it some depth, and the croutons and Parmesan topping make it really unique.  Also very easy to make.
Image:  sxc.hu.
Post from: Blisstree
Chicken Parm Pasta Salad]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:26:44</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Enjoy Racing at Arlington Park]]></title>
      <link>http://www.thechicagotraveler.com/enjoy-racing-at-arlington-park/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Have you ever been to see the thoroughbred horses run? It&#8217;s quite a spectacular event. Back before the days of casinos, it was about the only legal way to gamble. Arlington Park is an awesome track. They are gearing up for the Miller Lite Party on July 11th beginning at 2:30pm. It&#8217;sa great reason to sneak away from work early. It&#8217;s Friday, why not
There will be live racing along with simulcast racing and of course, Miller beer. Some local Chicago bands are playing and there will also be blues in the evening by Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners.
Have you learned to play Baggo yet? If so, you are not alone. I haven&#8217;t quite learned it either but there will be games and also some help with instruction.
Photo Credit: Flickr]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:23:43</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[The Chicago Traveler]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl>http://www.thechicagotraveler.com/</gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[4th of July from the Garden Recipes]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/4th-of-july-from-the-garden-recipes/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re looking for ways to use up your garden bounty this 4th of July check out this round-up of garden fresh, 4th of July minded recipes.

Fresh 4th of July Veggies:
Fourth of July Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe
Orzo Super Salad
Southwestern Style Potato Salad
Crispy apple coleslaw
Mushrooms, tofu, red onions, lemons (and more) grilled kabobs
Corn on the cob three ways - be brave and just click one - make whichever one you land on&#8230;

Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob

Juicy &amp; Fruity:
Savory Apple Onion Tart - not too juicy, I know, but I defaulted the apples into the fruit category over the onions. 

Watermelon stars
4th of July fruit kabobs
Grilled Pears with Currants

Spicy Fish Tacos with Pear Mango Salsa
Watermelon and Tomato Salad
Got fruit trees? Try Grilled Summer Fruit
4th of July Treats:
Ice pops are the best starting point for 4th of July garden treats. For one thing, they&#8217;re icy cold goodness during a hot day, and secondly, you can seriously use almost ANYTHING from the garden to make these. I&#8217;m talking carrots, herbs, tomatoes, berries, and so much more. You can even make plain old ice water pops with tiny edible flowers embedded for some beautiful and refreshingly easy pops. See 32 Unique Homemade Popsicle Recipes &amp; Ideas to get started.
Red, white, and blue summer berry trifle
Lemonade Mousse

Caramel Apple Pie
Ecstatic Organic Rose Vanilla Ice Cream

Little Extras: 
Dilled Cucumbers
Edible flowers galore - put them on cakes, in salads, and more!
Blueberry-Lime Habenero Sauce
Organic herbal sun tea
[image via stock.xchng]
Post from: Blisstree
4th of July from the Garden Recipes]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:26:02</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Health Risks of Speed Eating]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/health-risks-of-speed-eating/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[You may think it&#8217;s fun to watch speed eaters cobble down hotdogs this weekend, but the &#8220;sport&#8221; of competitive eating has some considerable health risks.  While the percent of the speed eating population is not large enough to warrant a scientific study, several former speed eaters are dealing with obesity, clogged arteries, and other gastrointestinal problems.

One competitive eater even found that after a while, his stomach would not register being &#8220;full&#8221; when he ate normally.  This condition, called peristalsis, means that the stomach is not contracting.  Despite the health risks, however, many speed eaters look back on their &#8220;reign&#8221; fondly.  

Image: sxc.hu.
Post from: Blisstree
Health Risks of Speed Eating]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:27:31</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Which Type of Sunscreen?]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/which-type-of-sunscreen/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As the sun gets hotter these days, protecting yourself from its grueling rays should be a top priority.  Do you use sunscreen?  Do you know the best type of sunscreen to use?  You should use the highest possible sunscreen number you can.

One source says that you &#8220;get 99 percent sunburn protection with SPF 90, versus 96 percent with SPF 30.&#8221; While a few extra points might not seem like much, they can add up over the years.  Use the highest you possibly can.
Image:  sxc.hu.
Post from: Blisstree
Which Type of Sunscreen?]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:14:25</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Classic 4th of July Berry Cakes]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/classic-4th-of-july-berry-cakes/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[One of my favorite thing about celebrating holidays is the creativity that starts to flow when it comes to cooking, baking and food in general!

For me, one of the best parts about the 4th of July, aside from the fireworks and an excuse to spend the whole day outside with family and friends, are the fun desserts that people are inspired to create and make.
I&#8217;ve always loved the now-classic 4th of July berry cake. I made one years ago for a get-together and have wanted to try again, but I&#8217;m afraid it would go bad before my family had a chance to devour it, and I hate the thought of any of it going to waste!
Anyway, with some strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream, the cake couldn&#8217;t be any easier, and variations of the cake are plentiful! You can easily convert any of the ideas below into cupcakes, and check out the ideas for patriotic cookies, too!
 Flag Cake from scratch
 Easy American Flag Cake
 4th of July Jello cake with red and blue Jello
 4th of July cupcakes from Martha Stewart
 For a cool spin on the standard cake, try a 4th of July ice cream cake
 Red, white and blue flag cake using a box cake mix with pudding
 Step-by-step pictures and instructions for a Flag Cake made using just frosting
 Red, White and Blue cupcakes with colored cake batter and frosting
 American Flag Cookies
 4th of July cookie cutters &#8212; choose from fireworks, a grill, and even an Uncle Sam silhouette!
[image: flickr]
Post from: Blisstree
Classic 4th of July Berry Cakes]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:26:22</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[The Cutest Dog on Facebook Contest]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-cutest-dog-on-facebook-contest/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Bil-Jac Foods, the producer of super premium dog foods and treats based in Medina, Ohio, has just launched its first Facebook photo contest! Now through the end of July, Bil-Jac Facebook fans will have the chance to view and vote on the 12 finalists of the Cutest Dog on Facebook contest. 

Bil-Jac has been collecting hundreds of entry photos for the contest since May via Facebook and Twitter, which were then carefully pared down to 12 finalists by Bil-Jac.
The winner of the photo contest will win a one-month-for-a-year supply of dog food from Bil-Jac and three online coaching sessions from celebrity dog trainer Joel Silverman. The runner-up will win a six-month supply of dog food and the third place winner will receive one month&#8217;s supply.
To participate in the contest, simply visit Bil-Jac&#8217;s Facebook fan page and click on the Photo Contest bookmark. You can then vote for your favorite picture once per day until July 31.
[image used with permission from bil-jac.com]
Post from: Blisstree
The Cutest Dog on Facebook Contest]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:43:01</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[10 Things to do Before Your Road Trip]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/10-things-to-do-before-your-road-trip/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[We are about to embark on our cross-country road trip. I love road trips. They allow you to see so much of the country that a flight simply misses. Since Ive probably done more long-distance road tripping than the average person, I thought Id post my to-do list to get ready for the big trip.


Service your car. Thats a no-brainer. Were taking the Touareg in Monday for the 75,000-mile service. But Im also taking it later in the week to NTB to get two new tires and a rotation. It would really suck to be in the middle of west Texas in 116-degree temperatures and have the car stall out on us for some reason.
Buy a Road Atlas. I hate Walmart, but they sell this awesome, large-sized, spiral-bound road atlas. Sure, use your GPS, but nothing replaces a road atlas. Plus, its great educational entertainment for the kids. Truman and I like to play the where do you want to go? game. He I dying to go to go to South Dakota, for some reason. Doesnt it stay cold there year-round?
Stock up on the necessaries. I always bring a big box of wet wipes, roll of paper towels and a trash bag. If you have to ask why, you obviously dont have young children.
A cooler stocked with drinks. Why waste your money at convenience stores when you can have your own cold drink conveniently in the car?
Snacks. Again, why waste your money at convenience stores. I also like to pack fruit, like oranges and grapes, but not bananas because I cannot walk past a banana without it bruising.
Wine  and a cock screw. Nothing is worse than stopping overnight in a town thats dry or has a poor wine selection. (Yes, I am a wine snob.) Put the wine in the cooler unless youre driving in cool weather.
Games, toys, DVDs and books. We use road trips as a good opportunity to buy DVDs and game books our son has not yet seen so hell look forward to seeing them. If you buy them early, hid then until time for the trip.
Check out your devices. Nothing is worse than starting on a road trip and finding out the power cord has a short or the iPod dock is missing a piece.
Make a list. Im a list-maker, so I start mine early. This is for the things you will be miserable if you forget, like the iPhone charger, laptop computer, that book youve been meaning to finish, etc.
Book the house sitter, or make your pet/home care plans. We are spoiled. We have a house sitter named Joe who is an ex-marine and a personal trainer at the gym down the road. He brings his to dogs, Brutus the Rottweiller and Thor the Doberman. (Or is it Thor the Rottweiller and Brutus the Doberman?) I stock the fridge for Joe, and throw in a few extra steaks for the dogs, so its like a mini-vacation for all three of them.

Road Trip Photo, Flickr, jamiejohndavies
Post from: Blisstree
10 Things to do Before Your Road Trip]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:23:05</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Celebrating Fourth of July Bonding]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/celebrating-fourth-of-july-bonding/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[You may not be a big American history buff, but you can still appreciate the wonderful cultural tradition that is the Fourth of July. Holidays like this are a great time for meaningful bonding with friends and family.
I love American holidays for their celebration of families and traditions. National holidays provide a day off so hopefully there can be that one special day when fathers and mothers get to spend time with their children, and friends and family can travel across long distances to see each other for a special weekend.
If you have are having a Fourth of July celebration, make a special effort to include friends who may not have anyone else to celebrate with. The summer is finally here and we should all just relax for a day and embrace the happiness that surrounds a social atmosphere.
I think Fourth of July traditions have a lot to do with open-mindedness and everyone coming together to appreciate the country that we share.
Image: Flickr Jesse Michael Nix
Post from: Blisstree
Celebrating Fourth of July Bonding]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:00:51</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Beer Tasting this Weekend at Seattle Centers Beerfest]]></title>
      <link>http://www.theseattletraveler.com/beer-tasting-this-weekend-at-seattle-centers-beerfest/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[
  
    
      
      
        1
        places are mentioned in this post!
      
      
     
  
    
        
          
            Mural Amphitheatre
          
          
                      
        
       
     
                      View Details on the Map
                         Click on the place name to learn more
            Close
            
           
   
  
        if (GBrowserIsCompatible()) {       map = new GMap2(document.getElementById('places_map1'));       var bb = null;       map.setCenter(new GLatLng(34,0), 1);       map.clearOverlays();       point = new GLatLng(47.6222,-122.3527);       letter = String.fromCharCode("A".charCodeAt(0) + 0);       markerIcon = new GIcon(G_DEFAULT_ICON, "http://www.google.com/mapfiles/marker" + letter + ".png");       markerOptions = { icon:markerIcon };       marker = new GMarker(point, markerOptions);       map.addOverlay(marker);       map.labelText = letter;       if (bb == null) { bb = new GLatLngBounds(point, point); }       else { bb.extend(point); }       map.setCenter(bb.getCenter(), map.getBoundsZoomLevel(bb) - 1);       map._lastCenter=map.getCenter();       GEvent.addListener(map,'moveend', function() { map._lastCenter=map.getCenter(); });       GEvent.addListener(map,'resize', function() { map.setCenter(map._lastCenter); });     }         In heaven there is no beer, thats why we drink it here. . . . 
And drink it you can, this weekend at the Seattle Center, with over 150 world class beers, from over 15 countries, at the 2009 Seattle International Beerfest.
This impressive selection of beers will be available for 4-ounce tastings all weekend long. And if you cant taste enough on one day, plan on coming back the next. Your wrist band and glass are all that you need for FREE re-entry all weekend long.
 If youre not into all the tasting, and just want to relax with a cold pint, you can try the Grande Beer Garden, where full pints of Peroni (from Italy) and Pilsner Urquell (from the Czech Republic) are available for only $4. You dont have to sit in the beer garden with your pint either, youre free to walk about with friends and do a little people watching.
Food will be available onsite, provided by local Seattles Hot Dog Joe, with gourmet sausages, hotdogs, burgers, chicken, and brisket, along with some vegetarian options. In other words, perfect food to go with the beer!
Location: Seattle Center Mural Amphitheater (map)
Dates &amp; Times: July 3rd  5th, Friday &amp; Saturday noon  10 pm, Sunday noon  7 pm.
Admission: $20 includes glass and 10 beer tickets. Additional beer tickets are $1. Each beer will cost 1-4 tickets, depending on price factor, and around half will be available for only 1 ticket. $5 admission for non-drinkers and designated drivers includes free non-alcoholic beverages. Cash only.
This is a 21 and over only event, and proper ID is required. Please drink with care, and remember that some of these beers have a high alcohol content and may be stronger than they look. Bring a designated driver, use public transportation, walk, or get a hotel room in the city.
Photo credit: SXC



   
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:24:00</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[The Seattle Traveler]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl>http://www.theseattletraveler.com/</gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Airline Customers Continue to be Dissatisfied]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/airline-customers-continue-to-be-dissatisfied/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Travelers continue to find dissatisfaction with the airline industry, according to J.D. Power &amp; Associates, making this the third consecutive year. No surprise that new fees (the result of ala carte ticket pricing), baggage problems, and personnel reductions are not making anyone happy. Is it all the economy? Youll have to decide.
Heres how the airlines faired.
 Alaska and Continental scored one and two among traditional carriers, and Jet Blue and Southwest and WestJet a close second among the low cost carriers. Alaska scored highest for its inflight crew, Continental for its inflight service, JetBlue for its aircraft, and Southwest for its costs and fees.
At the other end of the list, United and US Airways were at the bottom for traditional carriers, and Frontier and AirTran for low cost carriers.
Do your flying experience parallel these results? Who do you think ranks at the top and why?
Photo credit: SXC
Post from: Blisstree
Airline Customers Continue to be Dissatisfied]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:15:00</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Want More Fireworks?  Embroider Them!]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/want-more-fireworks-embroider-them/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Jenny, from Sublime Stitching, has created a free Fourth of July gift for you all!
She has created a totally free fireworks embroidery pattern, and then uploaded it to Flickr, so everyone can download it and use the pattern for some holiday fun  

There lots of different options for embroidery patterns. Why not embellish a favorite t-shirt? Just place a layer of tear-away interfacing behind it and stitch away. Did you know that you can embroider on paper? Transfer the pattern and have fun. How about enlarging the pattern and making a patriotic tote bag?
image: Stock.xchg 
Post from: Blisstree
Want More Fireworks?  Embroider Them!]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:03</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Map Out the Countries You Visit]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/map-out-the-countries-you-visit/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Vacation is rapidly coming to an end, and tomorrow Ill find myself winging my way back to the United States. Although Im sorry to be leaving countries that Ive come to know and love, a part of me is looking forward to getting back into my old routine.
On this trip, I was able to visit three new countries: Switzerland, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as spend time in Italy (quickly growing to be my favorite place in Europe).
Its time to do a new map representing how much of the world Ive visited.
Im keeping count of the countries based on the Century Clubs official listing of countries of the world, and think that Im approaching 22-ish or so. Ive got a couple more trips planned this year, so am hoping to add a few more countries to the list.
Heres what MY map looks like:

Create your own visited map of The World or Like this? try: Triposo Travelhacks
Post from: Fly Away Cafe]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:56:00</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[Fly Away Cafe]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl>http://www.flyawaycafe.com/</gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Inflatable Baby Floats Recalled]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/inflatable-baby-floats-recalled/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re hitting the pool this holiday weekend with baby, please check the list of recalled baby floats first. If you have one of the floats, stop using it immediately.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Aqua-Leisure Industries have recalled 4 million inflatable baby floats due to drowning hazards. The leg straps in the seat of the float can tear, resulting in children falling into or under the water. There have been 31 reports of float seats tearing and children falling into or under the water as a result. No injuries were reported.

A date between 08/02 and 07/08 is molded on the valves of the baby floats that have been recalled. Floats not included in the recall will have &#8220;NP&#8221; on the valve.
The recall includes several different styles of baby floats. Please visit the CPSC recall page to see photos, descriptions and model numbers of all recalled floats. Recalled floats shown in photos: Ticklish Turtle Sunshade Float/Baby Boat and Sunshade Buggy.
Contact Aqua-Leisure at (866) 807-3998 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit aqualeisure.com for refund information.
(Images from CPSC)
Post from: Blisstree
Inflatable Baby Floats Recalled]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:20:21</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Learning About Patriotic Service Flags]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/learning-about-patriotic-service-flags/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[With thoughts of patriotism in our minds around the Fourth of July, why not teach our children more about the Service Flags for military personnel serving, injured or killed? These window or service flags are part of our history and originated to commemorate soldiers in World War I, sometimes called The Great War.
Image: sxc.hu
I found one in my grandmother&#8217;s memorabilia trunk. It represented her son, my Uncle Charles, who served in that war and came back alive. These flags, a blue star on white background surrounded by a red border hung in the windows of families who had a memberfighting for our country&#8217;s freedom. (More stars if more than one person was in the war.)
If the soldier was killed in war, a gold star was hung above the blue and if injured a silver star instead. Thus also originated the term &#8220;Gold Star Mothers&#8221; who lost a son or daughter in the war.
Supposedly Army Captain Robert Queisser, of the 5th Ohio Infantry, designed a service flagto honor his two sons who were serving in the military during World War I. These flags symbolize brave men and women in all our wars.
Nowadays, they&#8217;re made as flags, banners, pillowsand quilts, to keep in mind the military men and women serving to keep us free.
Post from: Blisstree
Learning About Patriotic Service Flags]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:49</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Patriotic Service Flag Quilts]]></title>
      <link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/patriotic-service-flag-quilts/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Quilts inspired by the Service Flags of World War I have become popular during the present wars in Afghanistan and Iraq&#8230;to send to the service men and women and to remind those at home of their patriotic family members.
Image: sxc.hu
We have one of these Service Flags, originally made to hand in a window. My grandmother used it when her son Charles served in World War I. Consisting of a blue star on a white background, surrounded by red border, it let everyone know her son was serving for their freedom.
Uncle Charles came home from the War. However, if someone didn&#8217;t, a small gold star was added on top of the blue, thus the term &#8220;Gold Star Mothers&#8221; originated. Siver stars were used when a service member was injured.
I don&#8217;t know if my grandmother made her flag or if someone did and gave it to her. I&#8217;m proud that we still have it in our family. To me it represents Uncle Charles and other members who served - Uncle Al during World War II and my husand during the Vietnam war.
Today, quilters are making many variations of these banners and quilts. (An interesting article about Service Quilts appears in McCall&#8217;s America Loves Scrap Quilts, Spring 2008 issue.)
Post from: Blisstree
Patriotic Service Flag Quilts]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:07</pubDate>
      <gf:blogName><![CDATA[]]></gf:blogName>
      <gf:blogUrl></gf:blogUrl>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
