Ex-San Jose teacher arrested after child porn investigation

Johnny Urias, 50, who taught in the Alum Rock school district in San Jose, faces charges of possession and manufacture of child pornography
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Larry Ellison and others remember Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was a frequent participant in the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference. This year he showed up again, in spirit if not in body.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Police: San Jose homicide suspect arrested near U.S.-Mexico border

San Jose police on Wednesday announced the arrest of a fourth person suspected in the gang-related stabbing death last month of a man on Sarasota Way.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Teen arsonist gets eight years for burning down San Jose school

Second defendant remains under mental health evaluation
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Foie gras feeding frenzy grows as California ban nears

Chefs are loading their high-end menus with duck liver. And they are keeping secret the locations of their multi-course dinners to avoid protesters as a July 1 ban looms in California, the only state to outlaw foie gras.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Brilliant Free Jubilee Bunting

If you’re struggling to find inexpensive but gorgeous bunting for the Jubilee Celebrations, then look this way.

Stylist has the perfect answer. 

Simply download their bunting pdf, designed by the very talented Rob Ryan, and attach your chosen number of flags to ribbon or twine.

Easy-peasy, no?

I love the simple design of the bunting.

Very Modern Country.

And so patriotic too!

Do you have any Jubilee plans for the weekend?

I may or may not be having a baby girl…

I wish, I wish, I wish I knew when our little sugarplum was arriving.

All this waiting around is tiring work.

All images via Stylist

Modern Country Style

Foie gras feeding frenzy grows as Calif. ban nears

This is not a good time to be a duck with a fatty liver in California, though better times lie just ahead.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

San Jose SaberCats player Johnie Kirton dies at 26

San Jose SaberCats announced that fullback Johnie Kirton died Monday, two days after he scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Man says he 'belly-flopped' plane against mountain

BOISE, Idaho—A California pilot who survived a weekend plane crash with his wife and daughter says he intentionally “belly-flopped” his small plane against a snowy Idaho mountainside after its wings iced up.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Barry Bonds wants to coach Giants players, has advice for Tim Lincecum

Barry Bonds, who described himself several times Monday as a ‘convicted felon,’ said he is eager to start a new chapter in his life. The all-time home run leader wants a hands-on role with the Giants and said he continues to talk to upper management about returning to the organization.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Naked man 'eating' face off victim killed by Miami police

A Miami police officer on Saturday fatally shot a naked man who was chewing on the face of another man on a downtown causeway off-ramp, police and witnesses said
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Tens of thousands mob Golden Gate Bridge for its 75th anniversary celebration

Steel-gray morning skies gave way to a brilliant afternoon sun and both bowed out to make way for a display of spectacular Sunday evening fireworks that properly celebrated the 75th birthday of the Golden Gate Bridge, arguably the most iconic structure in all of California.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Russia condemns ally Syria over massacre of 108

BEIRUT—A weekend massacre of more than 100 people emerged as a potential turning point in the Syrian crisis Monday, galvanizing even staunch ally Russia to take an unusually hard line against President Bashar Assad’s government.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Girls' Bedroom: My Favourite White Paint

It’s always a slippery little monkey deciding 

which white to choose to go with a particular wall colour, 

don’t you find? 

Some prefer using off-whites.

Some prefer using a version Pure Brilliant White.

Not me.

No, siree.

My choice is to use Dulux White.

Well, I say ‘my choice‘, what I mean is my mum’s!! 

Yes, this is a fantastic tip that has been passed down from mother to daughter 

(as all the best tips are…!)…

and now I can pass it on to you.

I’ve used it in every room we’ve decorated to create the connection between spaces that I find makes a home feel so much more of a harmonious whole.

You sometimes have to rummage about a bit on shop shelves 

to avoid the glare of Pure Brilliant White 

and unearth a can of plain old Dulux White 

but the results are well worth it.

It’s useful to consider what your chosen ‘white’ colour will fade to, 

as, unless you like to repaint every year, that faded version will be 

the colour you’ll be living with the majority of the time

…and *not* the brand new sparkliness of a fresh coat of gloss.

Pure Brilliant White tends to age to grey.

{a bit too Modern…}

Off-white can age to become rather darker than I personally like.

{a bit too Country}

But Dulux White ages to a lovely, gentle white….

Modern Country Style at it’s best:

 contrast and warmth}

Voila…

..and here it is looking rather brighter and newer, 

now that it’s been repainted as part of 

our Gorgeous Girls’ Bedroom Makeover…

(the two wall colours are Farrow and Ball Hay 

and Farrrow and Ball Middleton Pink…

if you’d like to see more images of these colours 

then just click on the links)

Now, if there’s anything a girl needs to feel right at home in her bedroom then it has to be a gorgeous bed, right?

Guess what’s coming up?

All images: Mine

Modern Country Style

Building the Golden Gate Bridge today would be no easy task

IMAGINE FOR A moment that the Golden Gate Bridge has vanished like in a tale by Haruki Murakami — nothing left but sea, sky and howling wind. Could the bridge be reconstructed given today’s superheated political environment with increased concerns about the environment
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

UFC 146: Cain Velasquez begins comeback with bloody win over 'Bigfoot' Silva

San Jose-trained mixed martial arts fighter Cain Velasquez stopped Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva late in the first round after administering a bloody beating that both thrilled and horrified fans at the MGM Grand Garden at UFC 146 on Saturday night.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Police not convinced by report of mountain lion attack in Los Gatos.

The man said he was attacked while on a path in the Heinz Open Space Park; investigators say the wounds are not consistent with a big-cat attack.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

USS Iowa ships out under the Golden Gate Bridge on its way to Los Angeles

USS Iowa inspires memories, salutations as it leaves Richmond for life as a museum in San Pedro
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

The 75th anniversary sounds of the Golden Gate Bridge

In its 75 years, the miracle that is the Golden Gate Bridge has inspired generations of musicians, filmmakers, writers, artists and everyday people who have their own creative thoughts and feelings about the iconic span.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Emboldened 49ers quarterback Alex Smith gets called out by Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers teammate

San Francisco quarterback’s newfound moxie isn’t appreciated by Carolina linebacker Jon Beason, who issues angry Twitter response to Smith invoking Newton’s name while discussing correlation between stats and wins
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

San Jose woman killed in big rig crash remembered for family devotion

Accident victim remembered for her love, generosity, selflessness
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Family of Sierra LaMar suspect considered him the good son

His father is in jail, suspected of sexual abuse. His brother died of alcoholism. Antolin Garcia Torres was considered to be the good son, the one who was fiercely protective of his family, the one trying to work his way out of the cramped trailer in Morgan Hill he shared with four others, including his pregnant wife and toddler daughter.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Sierra LaMar's alleged killer charged with murder; no plea entered, no bail set

Sierra LaMar’s disappearance is the latest murder case where the victim’s body has not been found that local prosecutors have tried over the years, with mostly positive results.
San Jose Mercury News Most Viewed

Yummy Desert In A Jiffy...

Today, my scrumptiousses, I’m going to share with you one of my favourite ever puddings. Yes, I’m having a one-post break from the Girls’ Bedroom extravaganza to join in with lovely Jane from Adventures In Dinner, who has organised this fab 

30 Minute Fixes series:

So here is my desert in a jiffy.

It’s yummy. It’s easy. It’s quick.

{Could life get any better?}

All you need is:

Greek Yogurt

Summer Fruits

Muesli

A glass

This is how you make it:

Dollop a small amount of Greek yogurt into the bottom of your glass.

Add a layer of fruit.

And another layer of yogurt.

Then a sprinkling of muesli.

And you’re done.

Now let the scoffing begin…

Of course, you can use a taller glass than I have, 

in which case, simply add more layers.

This is DELICIOUS – and perfect for hot summer nights, like tonight. 

In fact, I’m just going to sit in the garden and eat mine right now…

Care to join me?

{NB: I’m afraid plenty of Greek Yogurt loveliness 

was harmed in the making of this pudding…!}

Now it’s your turn… 

what is your perfect 

Desert In A Jiffy?

Modern Country Style

Bushless Fertilizer (And Spider Milkweed)

How else to name a post suggesting that butterfly bushes are not butterfly magnets nearly as much as caterpillar host plants, or that the production and application of fertilizer is just plain awful for the environment (and the butterflies you want to attract with your bushes).

Debbie Roberts pleads with you to plant perennials, trees, and shrubs that butterflies need to reproduce.

“If you are trying to attract more butterflies to your garden, the
first thing you need to understand is that more butterfly bushes do not
mean more butterflies. Yes, butterflies do feed on the nectar of
butterfly bushes but that's where the attraction ends. The real key to having more butterflies in your garden is to find out
which of the more than 700 species of butterflies in North America are
common to your region. Once you know which butterflies are likely to
visit your garden, you can start making of a list of appropriate plants
to entice them into making your garden their home.”

And Michele Owens warns of inorganic fertilizers (or any at all) when you can produce free fertilizer on your own via mulch and water — i.e. feed the soil microbes. I guess this is what happens when a chemical company contacts a green blog before doing much research about said blog.

1. The Haber-Bosch synthesis that allows you to manufacture artificial
   nitrogen from the air requires intense heat and wastes colossal amounts
   of energy.
2. Plants often can’t use these mega doses of nitrogen all in one go.  
3. The excess nitrogen turns into nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas.
4. The runoff from excess nitrogen is causing giant dead zones in our oceans.
5. Artificial nitrogen sets up a vicious cycle that depletes to the soil’s ability to store carbon and nitrogen.
6. Edible plants raised on artificial nitrogen taste like complete crap.

And to lighten the mood–or not–here’s a picture I took of a crab spider’s catch on some common milkweed.

T h e | D e e p | M i d d l e

Home and Garden Thursday

Welcome

To

Home
and Garden Thursday

4^th
Thursday – Cooking

I am
reading a delightful little volume – very touching – it is a compilation of
letters from a father to his daughter – an instruction booklet – a legacy to a
motherless child.

'Letters
on Practical Subjects, to a Daughter' by William B. Sprague D.D.

Composed
of twenty-three letters, in this booklet, one chapter discusses the necessity
for the young lady to become accomplished in the exercise of and knowledge of
'domestic economy'. Whether she, as the head of her household performs those
duties or heads a staff  – her
knowledge and ability to perform these honorable duties will enable her to
truly care for her family and gain a certain amount of respect.

One
such domestic exercise is the art of cooking.

One
such exemplary person in this field was Jula Child. This week I was able to
compose her Coq Au Vin. This is a truly delicious and satisfying
dish.

I have
also been painting furniture! One piece I finished was this little bench – in a
color I consider as one of my neutrals – red.

My garden is flourishing – transitioning from Spring to Summer – we are entering
those months when pop-up thunderstorms could occur. Always a blessing when God
waters my garden.

I also
shared with you the beauty captured in Victorian women's practice of cultivating friendship
in Starr Ockenga's book, 'On Women and Friendship'.

My
heart and mind has been elevated this week, to appreciate the friendships
acquired through blogging; the art of transforming with economy one's home, to
bring comfort to the family; to compose a Delightsome meal inspired by a
culinary legend and to be enchanted and thrilled daily by the blessings of
God's creation – the wonders in a garden.

Last
week there were several beautiful, inspiring and instructive posts shared by you.
I am honored and thrilled you joined in and shared at A Delightsome Life.

Here are
a few highlights:

In their blog, Be Book Bound, sisters Miriam and Erika, share their love for books, cooking and home decor. Girls after my own heart. Last week Miriam shared a gorgeous pie – lavender in the crust! Along with humorous quotes from ‘Anne of Green Gables’ and life experiences I am sure we can all relate too!

I was delighted to read the gorgeous post on Faith, Hope and Cherry Tree last week – she shared some gorgeous ‘Joys of Pink’ pictures. I downloaded earlier this May a screensaver she created - 

perfectly pink – I find myself just admiring it from time to time! I hope she composes some more for June!

There are a lot of beautiful flowers and plants beginning to bloom in Diedre’s garden at Simply Simplisticated – the colors are amazing!

Erika at Boulevard de L’antique shared an amazing decoupage box covered with vintage images and train tickets – this is quite clever and truly beautiful.


Thank you everyone once again for joining in at Home and Garden Thursday – you make this blog party truly Delightsome! I look forward to seeing what you have to offer today!

The May-Days Cottage Giveaway ends in just one week! Have you entered? There are a few other bloggers who’ve joined in offering giveaways this month - 

you should check them out!

Home and Garden Thursday Guidelines:

1.  Be a follower of A
Delightsome Life through GFC, Email, 

Feedburner or other Social networks.

2.  Please text link back to ADL or
post the Party Button, 

so that your readers can join in/or
find the other participants.

3.  Home and Garden Thursday
encompasses everything! 

You may link up and share your DIY, home
décor, 

furniture refinishing, paint projects,
craft projects, 

thrifty finds, gardening tips and
photos, your recipes 

– anything Home and Garden related.
Share your favorite 

post of the previous week!

4.  Please link the URL specific to
the post you are sharing 

– not your blog's URL.

5.  Please visit other guests, just
as you would at any other party, 

leave some comments and perhaps make a
few new friends!

The H and GT Party post will be
published each 

Wednesday evening at 6:00 EST using
Inlinkz.

A Delightsome Life

Home and Garden Thursday

Post schedule (for me) will be:

1st Thursday – Home Décor

2nd Thursday – Garden 

3rd Thursday – Thrifting or
Crafting

4th Thursday – Recipe or cooking
tips

5th Thursday
– Anything Goes

 

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