Own the world’s gaudiest Mercedes for just $11 million

Own the world’s gaudiest Mercedes for just $11 million, Big price tag for gaudy gold Mercedes. This Mercedes McLaren SLR features 900 rubies and enough gold paint to impress a pharaoh. If you're still struggling for that last-minute holiday gift for the person who has more cash than taste, a Swiss car builder has just the right ride: this Mercedes McLaren SLR customized with 900 rubies and enough gold paint to impress a pharaoh. Total price? $11 million. It takes a lot of money to look this bad.

Queen's pay takes a hit as U.K. cracks down

Queen's pay takes a hit as U.K. cracks down - The Queen of England faces a pay freeze. The monarch may delay palace repairs, while Will and Kate get cut off from taxpayer funds. The Queen of England may be forced to scrimp on repairs to her palaces and lavish public appearances under a recently passed British law expected to reduce her income over the next several years.

"The squeeze on the monarch's income is likely to delay a backlog of repairs to royal palaces," the Daily Telegraph's Matthew Holehouse reported Monday. "There will be no extra money from the taxpayer to pay for the court of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are rapidly emerging as global stars." (Queen Elizabeth's son, Charles, Prince of Wales, will continue to kick in to pay the salaries for staff for Prince William and his new bride, the Sunday Times, however, reported.)

Under the new legislation, which passed into law six weeks ago, England will employ a new formula for calculating the Queen's taxpayer-funded allowance, as Americans might put it. "Under the new arrangement, the Queen receives 15 percent of the profits made over two years from the Crown Estate, whose portfolio includes Regent Street, Windsor Great Park and more than half the country's shoreline," Holehouse notes.

Last year, thanks to general stagnation in the UK economy, the old calculation netted royal revenues of around £32.1m--down more than half from the £77.3m high-water mark that the Crown Estate enjoyed during the boom years of 1991-92.

The decline in royal income has prompted rare muttering from the royal bean-counters. "Sir Alan Reid, keeper of the privy purse, warned last summer that it would be 'very difficult for overall expenditure to fall much further without impacting on the Royal Household's activities in support of the Queen and the long-term health of the estate,'" Holehouse reported.

But in characteristic fashion, the royals themselves seem to be keeping a collective stiff upper lip about the gloomy forecasts--and exploring options for diversifying their revenue streams. "Buckingham Palace is likely to boost its efforts to raise money from commercial sources, or to cut back on public appearances by the royal family," Holehouse wrote. It's unlikely, in all events, that the Queen and her immediate circle of relations will pursue the revenue-netting strategies that have won no small amount of notoriety for the commoners who have lately strayed into the Royal Family's orbit--reality TV contracts, fashion merchandising endorsements, and the like.

Instead, as Holehouse notes, tradition will once again trump the passing travails of the royals: "The sums the Queen will receive will depend on the Crown Estate's trading performance."

via: yahoo

2011's most popular baby names

2011's most popular baby names, Hottest Baby Names of 2011. New parents were influenced by stars like Anderson Cooper and Kourtney Kardashian. What do Anderson Cooper, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Kardashians have in common? They're all influencing our baby naming choices, according to BabyCenter. The leading online pregnancy and parenting resource released its annual list of top 100 baby names and hottest naming trends today.

U.K. eatery under fire for baby fee

U.K. eatery under fire for baby fee - Moms fume over a restaurant chain's $5 charge for infants who didn't even eat. Restaurant Apologizes for Charging $5 Baby Tax. Moms Still Fuming. Natasha Young's six-week-old son wasn't ordering off the menu at Cosmo's Restaurant in Croyden. But his mom still had to pay about $5 just to keep him on her lap at the table at England's largest eatery. Another new mom, Ana Sheridan, was told the same thing when she brought her 6-month-old daughter to the same restaurant.

Facebook IPO seen coming in spring

Facebook IPO seen coming in spring - Wondering when the great Facebook initial public offering is coming? Try the second quarter of 2012 market conditions permitting, The Wall Street Journal said late Monday. The social-networking company is in talks with the Securities and Exchange Commission about the timing of the IPO. There is a chance the first filings will come this year, the Journal said.

The Journal said Facebook is thinking about an IPO that would raise $10 billion and theoretically value the company at more than $100 billion.

That would make the company among the 40 most valuable companies in the world -- on par with Toyota Motor (TM 0.00%), Verizon Communications (VZ 0.00%) and Merck (MRK 0.00%).

The Journal based its report on conversations with several sources, adding the caveat that final decisions have not yet been made.

The final value of the company -- the value used to price shares - and how much money it seeks in an IPO will largely be determined by the market and the European economy, the Journal said.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has in the past publicly expressed reluctance to do an IPO. And he has opted to keep Facebook private longer than many suspected he would. But he is warming to the idea, the Journal said.

The social network, which was started by Zuckerberg in 2004 out of his Harvard dorm room, has helped reshape how people share information and interact with others on the Web. It now counts 800 million users, with 500 million users logging into the site daily.

Facebook's IPO would come amid a spate of other hot Web IPOs this year, like daily-deal site Groupon (GRPN 0.00%), LinkedIn (LNKD 0.00%) and an expected IPO from social-game maker Zynga. But none of those will compare in size, scale and investor demand with Facebook, which is one of the most highly anticipated IPOs ever.

The disappointing showing of Groupon's stock, which has fallen below its $20 IPO price in recent trading, may make some investors cautious about a Facebook IPO.

Groupon has fallen nearly 42% in the past five trading days after initially surging in the first two weeks after the IPO earlier this month. It is now 23.8% below its $20 IPO price.

via: msn

Smartphone Apps Send Holiday Greetings

Smartphone Apps Send Holiday Greetings - Does the idea of buying holiday cards, gathering the mailing addresses for friends and family, writing personal notes by hand, buying stamps, addressing envelopes and carting them to the post office just make you hate the holidays? You're not alone. More people are skipping paper holiday cards -- or at least the part where you mail them yourself -- in favor of cellphone apps that create cards and send them by text message, e-mail or snail mail.

Black Friday guide

Black Friday guide: Where to go and shop - One retail expert calls out three stores you should make your "go-to" stops. Black Friday 101 Where to Go, What to Buy. As Thanksgiving approaches, many consumers aren't talking turkey. They're talking deals, and already have visions of doorbusters dancing in their heads. Despite the weak economy, this year's Black Friday is expected to be bigger than ever, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The NRF reports that 33% of Americans say they're "definitely" braving the crowded retailers after Thanksgiving this year, up from 27% in 2010. Last year's Black Friday raked in $45 million for retailers nationwide with more than 212 million shoppers hitting stores.

According to an American Express Holiday survey of more than 2,000 Americans, shoppers plan to spend an average of $121 more this Black Friday than last; 34% of shoppers plan to have all their holiday gift buying done by the end of the day.

The expected record-breaking crowds means shoppers will need to be more savvy to snag bargains before they're gone. We checked in with experts to locate the best deals, what stores to spend the most time in, and just how early you'll have to rise if you want your stockings filled before December.

"Make Macy's (M - News), Target (TGT - News) and Toys "R" Us your go-to stores for most of your holiday shopping," says Gifts.com's Editor in Chief, Dana Holmes.

According to Mike Griffith of CheapSally.com, a bargain-hunting site, national retailers including The Limited, Ann Taylor, The Body Shop and Tommy Hilfiger have all offered Black Friday sales in the past that vary between 30-50% off any purchase, and he expects the same discounts this year.

"Macy's and JCPenney consistently have some of the biggest apparel sales on Black Friday," says Griffith. "Make sure that they have several items on sale though since the long wait most likely won't be worth it for just a sweater."

You can also anticipate department and outlet stores to offer deep markdowns on clothing. Outlets can really save a budget because they're offering discounts on all-ready discounted items.

When it comes to electronics, consumers have even more options to save, says Griffith, with Walmart (WMT - News) and Best Buy in the lead for the best deals on HDTVs. Best Buy (BBY - News) and Wirefly.com will be the best places to purchase cellular phones at a discount.

"Best Buy will be offering the HTC Thunderbolt for free with a new two-year contract with Verizon. You save $99. Just a few months ago this phone was $200 even with the new contract," he says.

For toys, Griffith says Walmart is a shopper's best option for in-store purchases. If you prefer shopping online, he suggests shopping on Mattel.com and Amazon.com.

"Toys are tricky because certain retailers have unique relations with different toy manufacturers. Unlike an HDTV where most brands are relatively equal, toys are completely different. Barbies are not the same as a BMX bike or a video game. Try buying directly from the manufacturer's website or using Amazon.com."

If you're a die-hard bargain hunter who plans to hit the stores before sleeping off the tryptophan, you're in luck. Although stores including Macy's, Target and Kohl's will be having midnight door-buster sales, Walmart stores nationwide open at 10 PM on Thanksgiving Day for special deals.

When it comes to gift lists, most consumers will be shopping mostly for electronics, gadgets and clothing, according to a study conducted by management consulting firm Accenture (ACN - News). The survey showed that 54% of holiday shoppers will be looking to purchase clothing, 36% will be after toys, and another 36% will be looking for electronics like smartphones, tablet computers or MP3 players.

And retailers are responding accordingly with their deal offerings.

Christine Frietchen, editor-in-chief of ConsumerSearch.com, a product review site, says that deep discounts on electronics will be available at multiple retailers. Individuals looking for small TVs should check at Best Buy, where 24-inch Dynex LCD TVs will run $80 on Black Friday. For large, 3D TVs, shoppers may want to check out Walmart's deals, she adds.

"Part of the problem with 3D televisions is that they don't usually include the necessary 3D glasses. The 42-inch Vizio M3D420SR at Walmart, which goes on sale at 8:00am on Black Friday, is a really good deal," says Frietchen. "Its $598 sale price is a good $300 lower than we've seen anywhere else. This 3D TV has a good-looking, thin design and it includes four pairs of 4D glasses, so this is a gift you can start using right out of the box."

Customers looking for something more practical like a vacuum, would be wise to check out Best Buy, where the Dyson DC25 Animal will be on sale for $380, $100 off of its usual price tag.

If you're in the market to add to your home entertainment suite, Best Buy will have its Toshiba Blu-Ray players marked down from $75 to $40. Customers can also save money on presents for the shutter bug in their life, says Frietchen.

"Circulars are full of $60 and $70 cheap point-and-shoot cameras, but so many people these days just use the camera in their phone that it might make sense to spend more on a more special camera. At Staples, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS has a huge 14X zoom—great for long distance shots. It also shoots HD video and image quality is good in low light, unusual for any camera. It's advertised at $250, or about $50 off. A less expensive 16X option is the Panasonic ZS8 on sale for $180, about $70 off. It's not as sturdily built as the Canon camera though," says Frietchen.

Although there are thousands of bargains offered on Black Friday, Griffith says it's entirely possible to get caught up in not-so-great deals. Some items he recommends postponing for purchase or purchasing in advance of the shopping frenzy include seasonal or holiday decor, winter apparel and perishable items.

"If you absolutely need some wrapping paper, lights or other holiday-related items then go ahead and get them. But only get the necessities. Wait until Dec. 26 when holiday decor and supplies will be 50-90% off to really stock up for next year. For winter apparel, although you may be able to get up to 40% off a new winter coat, apparel is almost always cheaper at the end of the season."

As for perishables, Griffith says things like chocolates or gourmet foods really lose freshness if they sit around waiting to be opened. If a box of chocolates is already discounted, there's a chance it's been on the shelves since early fall.

No matter where you're going or what items you're seeking, the most important thing is that you plan ahead, says Griffith.

"Don't head out into the storm without doing a little planning first. Otherwise you'll be stuck in long lines and will likely end up purchasing things that you don't really need or that aren't on sale. While there are some great deals to be found, many stores will discount a few highly desired items and leave the rest of the merchandise at full price expecting shoppers to make some sort of purchase to make their wait worth their while."

For the shopper who plans to start at Midnight or who may be stuck in long lines and bumper-to-bumper traffic, Griffin says it's also important to bring a few "necessities."

"This may sound silly, but if you are going to go on the all-day shopping adventure then its best to pack some food and beverages to keep you full. More people out at the malls means more people out at the food court," he says.

via: yahoo

NASA rover to seek signs of life on Mars

NASA rover to seek signs of life on Mars - The nuclear-powered vehicle is set to begin a nine-month journey to explore the distant planet.New NASA rover to scout for life's habitats on Mars. A nuclear-powered rover as big as a compact car is set to begin a nine-month journey to Mars this weekend to learn if the planet is or ever was suitable for life.

The launch of NASA's $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory aboard an unmanned United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is set for 10:02 a.m. EST (1502 GMT) on Saturday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, located just south of the Kennedy Space Center.

The mission is the first since NASA's 1970s-era Viking program to directly tackle the age-old question of whether there is life in the universe beyond Earth.

"This is the most complicated mission we have attempted on the surface of Mars," Peter Theisinger, Mars Science Lab project manager with NASA prime contractor Lockheed Martin, told reporters at a pre-launch press conference on Wednesday.

The consensus of scientists after experiments by the twin Viking landers was that life did not exist on Mars. Two decades later, NASA embarked on a new strategy to find signs of past water on Mars, realizing the question of life could not be examined without a better understanding of the planet's environment.

"Everything we know about life and what makes a livable environment is peculiar to Earth," said astrobiologist Pamela Conrad of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and a deputy lead scientist for the mission.

"What things look like on Mars are a function of not only the initial set of ingredients that Mars had when it was made, but the processes that have affected Mars," she said.

Without a large enough moon to stabilize its tilt, Mars has undergone dramatic climate changes over the eons as its spin axis wobbled closer or farther from the sun.

The history of what happened on Mars during those times is chemically locked in its rocks, including whether liquid water and other ingredients believed necessary for life existed on the planet's surface, and if so, for how long.

In 2004, the golf cart-sized rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed on opposite sides of Mars' equator to tackle the question of water.

Their three-month missions grew to seven years, with Spirit succumbing to the harsh winter in the past year and Opportunity beginning a search in a new area filled with water-formed clays. Both rovers found signs that water mingled with rocks during Mars' past.

The new rover, nicknamed Curiosity, shifts the hunt to other elements key to life, particularly organics.

"One of the ingredients of life is water," said Mary Voytek, director of NASA's astrobiology program. "We're now looking to see if we can find other conditions that are necessary for life by defining habitability or what does it take in the environment to support life."

The spacecraft, which is designed to last two years, is outfitted with 10 tools to analyze one particularly alluring site on Mars called Gale Crater. The site is a 96-mile (154-kilometer) wide basin that has a layered mountain of deposits stretching 3 miles above its floor, twice as tall as the layers of rock in the Grand Canyon.

Scientists do not know how the mound formed but suspect it is the eroded remains of sediment that once completely filled the crater.

Curiosity's toolkit includes a robotic arm with a drill, onboard chemistry labs to analyze powdered samples and a laser that can pulverize rock and soil samples from a distance of 20 feet away.

If all goes as planned, Curiosity will be lowered to the floor of Gale Crater in August 2012 by a new landing system called a sky crane. Previously, NASA used airbags or thruster jets to cushion a probe's touchdown on Mars but the 1,980-pound (900-kilogram) Curiosity needed a beefier system.

"There are a lot of people who look at that and say, 'What are you thinking?'" Theisinger said. "We put together a test program that successfully validated that from a design standpoint it will work. If something decides to break at that point in time, we're in trouble but we've done everything we can think of to do."

The rover, which is twice as long and about three times heavier than the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, also needed more power for driving at night and operating its science instruments.

Instead of solar power, Curiosity is equipped with a plutonium battery that generates electricity from the heat of radioactive decay.

Similar systems have been used since the earliest days of the space program, including the Apollo moon missions, the Voyager and Viking probes and more recently in the Cassini spacecraft now circling Saturn and NASA's Pluto-bound New Horizons mission.

Radiation monitors have been installed through the area around the Cape Canaveral launch site in case of an accident, though the device has been designed to withstand impacts and explosions, said Randall Scott, director of NASA's radiological control center at the Kennedy Space Center.

Meteorologists were predicting good weather for Saturday's launch. Earth and Mars will be favorably aligned for launch until December 18.

via: yahoo

How to Make Perfect Gravy

How to Make Perfect Gravy - Step-by-step guide to great gravy. The secret is in the delicious brown caramelized bits you get at the bottom of the turkey roasting pan. For the past couple of years, we've grilled our turkey outside on our charcoal grill. I love the subtle smokiness of the meat and I love the way it frees up space in the oven. But there is one downfall. The gravy suffers. Why? The secret to the perfect gravy (flavor-wise) is those delicious brown caramelized bits you get at the bottom of the roasting pan. And you can really only achieve those if you roast your bird in the oven.

So I'm dedicating this Thanksgiving to gravy. I'm skipping the grill and roasting my bird the old-fashioned way so I can slather everything on my plate with the richest, most amazing gravy ever.

It's not hard to make perfect gravy, but there are a few tips to keep in mind when doing it. Here they are:

I'm all for the convenience of canned broth, but for Thanksgiving I like to start with the homemade stuff. I usually make a batch of chicken broth a week or two before Thanksgiving and freeze it in 4-cup packages to be ready to use on Thanksgiving Day. Of course there are good store-bought stocks and broths out there that you can use. If you go that route, choose one you know you like and that has reduced sodium-you'll run less risk of ending up with gravy that's too salty. It's always easy to add salt back in if the gravy needs it at the end.

Once you know what broth you're going to use, it's time to bring on the flavor. I start with more broth than I need and simmer it on the stove for about an hour to concentrate the flavor. And the neck and that package of turkey parts that comes inside the cavity? Use it. I simmer the neck, heart and gizzards in my broth while it's reducing. (I leave out the liver; it can be bitter.) These parts add tons of meaty flavor. You can also add vegetables, herbs and spices if you wish.

This is fundamental to good gravy. Once your bird is resting out of the roasting pan, pour off any liquid and fat that has accumulated into a gravy separator or heat- proof container. What's stuck to the bottom of the pan are the pan drippings-caramelized bits of loveliness that will take your gravy from good to great. To get them incorporated, put your roasting pan over 2 burners on the stove over medium to medium-high heat and add a little broth, wine or other liquid to dissolve them. Using a wooden spoon to gently scrape them up is a good idea. (The drippings should be dark brown-not burned. Remove any burnt spots before you deglaze the pan.) Once the drippings are dissolved you can add more liquid.

Here's where disaster can strike. For gravy, that means lumps. But they're avoidable. To thicken, I like to make a "slurry," which is just a little bit of broth mixed with a little bit of flour. Whisk the slurry into your gravy and it should be lump-free. If you do end up with lumps, don't worry. You can strain them out. Continue cooking your gravy until it's as thick as you desire.

via: yahoo

Great ways to beat Thanksgiving boredom - When spending time with your family gets old, these games and apps may save you.Games and apps to beat Thanksgiving boredom. Turkey, stuffing, football, the Macy's parade: there's a lot to love about Thanksgiving. But spending the better part of a week cooped up with just your family for company can get pretty old -- and pretty dull.

Since you can't just hop in the car and leave your relatives behind, you'll need to find ways to have fun without upsetting the guests. These games and apps should do the trick.

Trivia games are all well and good -- provided you know a fair share of the answers. But even the most general-knowledge deficient guest can have a good time playing Wits & Wagers.

Unlike other trivia games, if you don't know the answer, you can just back someone else's. This "family" version ditches the original game's gambling mechanic, simplifies the gameplay, and has questions more suitable for a wide range of ages. It's also built to be played in 20-minute bursts rather than those endless Trivial Pursuit matches.

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea of creating a national Thanksgiving Day? Or that there are no fewer than three towns in the U.S. named "Turkey"? Or that turkeys have been known to suffer heart attacks at nearby loud noises? Now you do -- and these, together with many more pointless yet entertaining Thanksgiving facts, await you in this handy app. Perfect for filling those awkward silences after Uncle Mark says something inappropriate.

Play 'The First Thanksgiving' right here on Yahoo! Games

Got a dancer in your family? You will after firing up the ridiculous, stupid, and totally fun Just Dance 3. It's available on Wii, Xbox Kinect, and Playstation Move and includes a wonderfully eclectic track list, but no matter the version, it's got something other dance games don't: support for four-player simultaneous dancing. That means fewer wallflowers -- and a lot more fun.

ESPN ScoreCenter App

For millions of football fanatics, Thanksgiving Day isn't official unless it includes watching some pigskin -- and this year, loads of college games and three NFL matchups will make it hard to stay away from the tube.

But since putting the game(s) on the big screen is a surefire way to irritate the non-sports fans in the family, scratch your itch with this app from ESPN that'll nudge you with push alerts every time your team scores. Hopefully obsessively checking your phone will be less annoying than monopolizing the TV.

Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7

Drawing its content from the last three Potter books (or the final four movies, if you prefer), Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is the best Lego video game in years.

As luck would have it, it's the best Harry Potter game in years, too.

This happy coincidence comes to you complete with the co-operative, family-friendly gameplay that's been the hallmark of the Lego series. It even handles the final act's somewhat mature subject matter thoughtfully, making it a great choice for kids and adults to play together.


"Turkey Trot"


It simply wouldn't be Thanksgiving without overeating. Limit the inevitable waistline damage with this outdoor kids game that'll get your legs moving. First, make yourself some turkeys -- use brown paper bags stuffed with newspaper, tape heads and wings to footballs, or just use turkey-shaped toys. Form teams of two, stand back-to-back with your partner, link arms, and have someone pass you a turkey. First pair to reach the other side of the yard (without dropping their turkey) wins.


Beat the Parents


Think you're smarter than your kids? Sure you do -- but we suspect they don't agree. Find out who's really on top with trivia game Beat the Parents.

Perfect for post-dinner, pan-generational socializing, it sets old folks against young 'uns with sets of questions that won't bore (or bewilder) either. One caveat: it's best for parents with at least a passing interest in pop culture. You better know your Beyonce.

via: yahoo

Alien Skull Discovered in Peru

Alien Skull Discovered in Peru - 'Alien' Skull Discovery Tops South American Bone Finds. It wasn't discovered by Indiana Jones and it isn't crystal, but an elongated skull that is as long as the 20-inch body it belongs to is raising interest after it was discovered in Peru. According to a report from The Sideshow, the remains of the unidentified "creature" was described as having a "triangle-shaped" skull and was at first believed to have been a child with a misshapen head, but according to a news report, anonymous Russian and Spanish scientists claim the remains belong to an extraterrestrial being.

Thanksgiving prayers and blessings

We come to join in the banquet of love.

Let it open our hearts and break down the fears

that keep us from loving each other.

~sung by the Dominican nuns

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lord most giving and resourceful,

I implore you;

make it your will

that this people enjoy

the goods and riches you naturally give,

that naturally issue from you,

that are pleasing and savory,

that delight and comfort,

though lasting but briefly,

passing away as if in a dream.

~Aztec Prayer from the 1500's

We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.

We return thanks to the rivers and streams,which supply us with water.

We return thanks to all herbs,

which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.

WE return thanks to the corn,

and to her sisters, the beans and squash, which give us life.

We return thanks to the bushes and trees, which provide us with fruit.

We return thanks to the wind,

which, moving the air, has banished diseases.

We return thanks to the moon and the stars,

which have given us their light when the sun was gone.

We return thanks to our grandfather He-no,

that he has protected his grandchildren from witches and reptiles,

and has given to us his rain.

We return thanks to the sun,

that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.

Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,

in whom is embodied all goodness,

and who directs all things for the good of his children.

~Iroquois Prayer from the 1800's

Though our mouths were full of song as the sea,

and our tongues of exultation as the multitude of its waves,

and our lips of praise as the wide-extended firmament;

though our eyes shone with light like the sun and the moon,

and our hands were spread forth like the eagles of heaven,

and our feet were swift as hinds,

we should still be unable to thank thee and bless thy name,

O Lord our God and God of our fathers,

for one thousandth or one ten thousandth part of the bounties

which thou has bestowed upon our fathers and upon us.

~from the Hebrew Prayer Book

Call out to the Almighty

Everyone on earth!

Serve God with gladness.

Come before Him with joyous song!

Know that the Almighty, He is God.

It is He who made us and we are His,

His nation and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving.

Enter His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

The Almighty is good.

His loving-kindness endures forever.

And His faithfulness continues

From generation to generation.

~Psalm 100

Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be

And bless these gifts

Bestowed by Thee.

And bless our loved ones everywhere,

And keep them in Your loving care.

~Moravian Blessing

To our Gods of old, we bless the ground

that you tred in search of our freedom!

We bless your presence in our lives and in our hearts!

Take of this offering to your delight,

and be filled with our prayers of thanksgiving!

May our lives remain as full as our hearts on this day!

~Yoruban Prayer

O, heavenly Father: We thank thee for food and remember the hungry.

We thank thee for health and remember the sick.

We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.

We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir us to service,

that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

~Abigail van Buren “Dear Abby”

Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today,

to the rising of this life itself;

may it be to Thine own glory,

O God of every gift, and to the glory, aid Thou my soul.

With the aiding of Thine own mercy,

even as I clothe my body with wool,

cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing.

Help me to avoid every sin,

And the source of every sin to forsake,

and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills,

may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.

~Thanksgiving Prayer - Irish

May the Lord accept this, our offering,

and bless our food that it may bring us strength in our body,

vigor in our mind and selfless devotion in our hearts for His service.

~Thanksgiving Prayer - India: Swami Paramananda

This ritual is one.

The food is one.

We who offer the food are one.

The fire of hunger is also one.

All action is one.

We who understand this are one.

~Thanksgiving Prayer - Hindu Prayer For Meals

Celeb chef's unique Thanksgiving tips

Celeb chef's unique Thanksgiving tips - Chef Fabio shows you how to serve your holiday bird, pumpkin, and cranberries with a modern twist. Exclusive Interview With Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani. On this special Thanksgiving episode of "omg! NOW," we catch up with chef Fabio Viviani on the set of his Yahoo! show "Chow Ciao." Fabio dishes on everything from the five ingredients that everyone should have in their kitchens, to a new twist on Thanksgiving. Hint: It involves chicken. Plus, find out who his favorite TV chefs are!

Parents address 'flour video' rumors

Parents address 'flour video' rumors - Matt Lauer grills the parents of the kids who trashed their living room with flour in a wildly popular video. Kids trash house with flour in minutes - Mary Napoli’s toddler sons cover her living room while she uses the bathroom. Boys dump flour all over house in an unusually uniformly messy way. That two little boys could easily make an epic mess with a five-pound bag of flour is a no-brainer, but did they?

via: yahoo

Octopus caught walking on dry land

Octopus caught walking on dry land - A family is shocked when an animal they are watching literally crawls out of the water for a stroll. Video: Octopus crawls out of water and walks on dry land. Check out this video of an octopus literally crawling out of the water and dragging itself across dry land in pursuit of a meal. A family with a camera was lucky enough to be on the scene and captured the whole thing on video:

Heartbroken dog won't leave owner's grave

Heartbroken dog won't leave owner's grave - The loyal companion of a 68-year-old Chinese man touches the hearts of villagers. Heartbroken Dog Refuses to Leave Owner’s Grave, and Facebook Rewrites Six Degrees of Separation. A video of a dog in a small village in China has the web buzzing about his devotion. When 68-year-old Lao Pan died earlier this month, the only surviving member of his family was a small yellow dog that he left behind.

Wife tries to unload hubby on Craigslist

Wife tries to unload hubby on Craigslist - Alyse Baddly took a surprising approach to her frustration with husband, Kyle's, video gaming. Frustrated wife puts gamer husband up for sale on Craigslist. Guys, be careful how involved you get with this season's awesome crop of video games. Your wife may try to sell you off. Kyle Baddley learned this the hard way earlier this month, when his wife Alyse got frustrated by his constant Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 playing and offered him up to the highest bidder on Craigslist.

"I am selling my 22 year old husband," the ad read. "He enjoys eating and playing video games all day. Easy to maintain, just feed and water every 3-5 hours. You must have Internet and space for gaming. Got tired of waiting so free to good home. If acceptable replacement is offered will trade."

The ad, of course, was a joke. But that didn't stop people from replying.

One woman offered to retrain him. Another guy said he was willing to trade spots with Kyle, noting that he was both house-trained and preferred books to games.

"We didn't think we would get any responses at all, but we've gotten so many," Alyse said. "Someone even offered a blue bag of Skittles."

Some people, though, took it a bit too seriously. One person suggested she use the free time to go out on her own, while others wrote that they were concerned about Alyse's relationship with her husband.

Among the unconcerned was Kyle's mother. She not only encouraged Alyse to run the ad, she helped her write it.

Kyle, it seems, has learned his lesson and has pulled back a bit from his Modern Warfare 3 playtime. His father notes that the couple is headed to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with Kyle's sister.

Kyle's taking it in good humor -- but he points out for the record that his wife was in line with him when the game went on sale.

"I love my wife," he says. "She supported me when I got the game. We stayed until midnight to get the game when it first came out. It's just funny."

via: yahoo

New find shakes up beliefs about holy site

New find shakes up beliefs about holy site - Coins dug up beneath one of the world's most sacred landmarks may help rewrite history. New find sheds light on ancient site in Jerusalem. Newly found coins underneath Jerusalem's Western Wall could change the accepted belief about the construction of one of the world's most sacred sites two millennia ago, Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday.

Safety group's worst toys for 2011

Safety group's worst toys for 2011 - Godzilla, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Shrinky Dinks all make a watchdog's list. Worst Toys for Kids? Consumer Group Picks 10 Hazardous Toys to Avoid in 2011. Godzilla and Captain Jack Sparrow action figures, mini trampolines, and Shrinky Dinks are among the toys that have been flagged because of the risk of puncture wounds, electrocution, choking, other injuries "or even death," a Boston-based consumer group warns. World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) has issued their annual "10 Worst Toys" list, and several kids classics and new favorites are among their picks for the toys parents should avoid this holiday season.

"We've been looking at these issues for decades," WATCH director James Swartz told Yahoo! Shine. "The 10 toys aren't meant to be a list of the only hazardous toys on the market, but representative of particular hazards. It's a reminder that all toys on the shelves are not safe." On the list, which can be found at toysafety.org, are:

A wooden Twist n' Sort toy for toddlers

Power Rangers Samurai Mega Blade sword

Fold & Go miniature portable trampoline

Pulling Animal Duck

Schylling toy school bus

Z-Curve Bow

Stepper "Low Rise" Stilts

Sword Fighting Jack Sparrow action figure

The Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker oven

"Gigan" Godzilla Creature 12-inch action figure

The groups started publishing their "10 Worst Toys" list in 1973. (You can see the entire 2011 list here.) "We walk up and down toy aisles, and we shop online these days, much as consumers would do, because consumers don't have access to testing labs." Swartz says. "The current regulations and testing standards aren't adequate. The fact is that we're seeing a lot of the same types of hazards year after year."

The Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker, for example, seems like a fun, updated version of that old stick-them-in-the-oven plastic craft that many parents grew up with. But though the 60-watt bulb is in an enclosed "heating chamber" and a caution label warns that the toy should be used with adult supervision and unplugged when not in use, there's still plenty of potential for electrical shocks and burns. "A product with so many inherent hazards does not lend itself to use in a home environment with children," WATCH writes on their website. A similar toy--the Easy Bake Oven--was flagged by WATCH in 1971, 1977, and 1986; nearly 1 million toy ovens like it were recalled in 2007.

One can see how the Z-Curve Bow (a "high-performance" bow-and-arrow set that says "Do not aim at eyes or face" and "arrows should not be pulled back at more than half strength" right on the box) could be dangerous. But a classic wooden ducky-on-wheels pull toy? A miniature yellow school bus? How are those things hazardous?

Swartz says that dangers aren't always obvious. "Sometimes you need to dig into the packages a little bit," Swartz says. Though the bus is intended for kids age 3 and older, the rubber wheels can be pried off and swallowed by a younger sibling. The problem with the wooden duck is that it has a 33-inch long string attached. You couldn't pull the toy without it, of course, but the long length makes it a strangulation hazard for the 1-year-olds who are supposed to play with it. Toy industry standards limit the length of such cords to 12 inches or less for crib and playpen toys, he explains; just because the pull-toy isn't intended for use in a playpen or crib doesn't mean that it won't end up in one.

"This is a matter of categorization," Swartz says. "That potential for strangulation, in our estimation, doesn't disappear because of what the toy is called or how the manufacturer says the toy is to be used."

The Toy Industry Association, a trade group, maintains that holiday hazard reports like the one WATCH publishes are overblown.

"These groups frequently focus attacks on toys they deem to be 'unsafe,' 'unhealthy,' or 'dangerous'," they sad in a statement. "Their claims are frequently found to be unsubstantiated and often ignore or misinterpret the facts--and needlessly frighten parents."

"Protecting the safety of children is a shared responsibility," Joan Lawrence, vice president of safety and government affairs for the Toy Industry Association trade group, said in another statement. He pointed out that toy recalls have declined year after year, which indicates that safety has improved. "The toy industry works year round to ensure the highest level of product safety. Unfortunately, most injuries are the result of misusing a toy in a way that was not intended."

But WATCH points out that appearances on their "Worst Toy" lists have led to the recall or redesign of several popular toys. Remember when Fisher Price's Little People were actually little? "It was just small enough to fit into a child's airway, but too large to pass through," Swartz says. "What happened after attention was brought to that issue was that the toys were quietly redesigned. There was never a formal recall issued, but what you see now on the toy shelves are Little People that are large enough that they don't violate the industry standard." According to the WATCH report card, toys like the Batman Batmobile (1990, for being a puncture and laceration hard), Embo Elephant and Hummbugg Bee mobiles (1979, strangulation risk), and the Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boat (2007, lead paint) were recalled after being flagged by WATCH.

The ideal toy for a very young child is "one that doesn't have any removable parts, especially small parts, that could create a choking hazard," suggests Swartz, whose kids are now 19 and 16 years old. But in general, parents need to make informed choices and be vigilant about what they're buying. "Don't assume that toys are necessarily safe because they've reached the toy store shelves," he says. "Don't assume that they've been tested properly and that there are no hazards just because they've reached the shelves."

via: yahoo

Heartbroken dog won't leave owner's grave

Heartbroken dog won't leave owner's grave - The loyal companion of a 68-year-old Chinese man touches the hearts of villagers. Heartbroken Dog Refuses to Leave Owner’s Grave, and Facebook Rewrites Six Degrees of Separation. A video of a dog in a small village in China has the web buzzing about his devotion. When 68-year-old Lao Pan died earlier this month, the only surviving member of his family was a small yellow dog that he left behind.