The number

 

All about 13 

New York's insurance letter 13 taking action to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and transgender status to ensure that all New Yorkers are protected. 

The number 13 is known in some Western culture as a symbol of bad luck, hotels, hospitals, and skyscrapers sometimes omit the 13th floor or room, but in some cultures it has a positive, associations with transformation, femininity, and mathematics.  In Italy the number 13 is linked to fertility considered a lucky number, representing abundance and positive energy. And in Hebrew, the number 13 symbolizes love, unity, and coming of age, marking the Bar Mitzvah age where a Jewish boy becomes religiously responsible.  The United States has a strong connection, with the original 13 colonies. Reflected on the Great Seal with 13 stripes, 13 stars, 13 arrows, and 13 olive leaves.

In most cultures the superstition linked  to Friday the 13th combines the unlucky number with Friday, the day of Jesus's crucifixion. Judas, the disciple betrayed Jesus at the last supper, was the 13th person at the table. The devil, is mentioned as a dragon  13 times in the book of Revelations. The number 13 follows the "perfect" number 12 (12 months, 12 apostles, 12 hours on a clock), so 13 represents chaos or evil. 

 

Is it the planet's unluckiest number? 

The Asteroid 99942 was discovered in 2004 with a chance that during its April 13th 2029 close encounter with Earth, it would pass through a gravitational keyhole which would have set up a future impact exactly seven years later on Easter Sunday, April 13, 2036. As per NASA, Astronomers closely tracked the asteroid and recalculated to impact in 2068 and later, found there is now no risk of it impacting Earth for at least 100 years.  

On April 13 2029 the asteroid  99942, now also known  as  Apophis will, for a short time, be closer to Earth than satellites and visible in the night sky to the naked eye.  

The Nostalgia of closed Floor Plans

Evolving lifestyles and closed floor plans

The post pandemic evolving lifestyles have prompted a re-evaluation of how we use our homes. 

Granny Chic

 

A 2024 report by Houzz says 73 percent of homeowners renovations included adding enclosed spaces to their layout. The open-plan layout is giving way to a return of walls. Maybe it's the memory of Grandma’s house, and its old-world charm with little rooms and defined dining rooms. A nostalgic, warm and welcoming space with vintage charm.

In 2025, according to the American Institute of Architects, there’s a 40 percent increase in demand for historical design. The classic six, a Living Room, Kitchen, 2 Bedrooms and a Bathrooms. Cozy is the new approach to modern living. 

Stop. Think. Check the Back Seat

Leaving a baby in a car seat is a real and serious danger

It is heartbreaking and a very real danger. On average, 38 children die each year in the U.S. from vehicular heatstroke. 

This tragic phenomenon is often unintentional and typically happens when someone forgets a child is in the back seat. It can result from a change in routine, such as a caregiver who doesn’t normally do daycare drop-off—as well as distraction, sleep deprivation, or stress.

There are ways to prevent this 

Thankfully, it’s preventable. Many newer vehicles now feature rear seat reminder systems, and some car seats come equipped with built-in alarms. 

Parents and caregivers can also use simple habits to prevent tragedy, like placing a phone, purse, wallet, or even a shoe in the back seat. That way, when you go to step out of the car and realize something’s missing, you’re prompted to check the back seat—and potentially save a life.

Boxed Carrot Cake

Boxed Carrot Cake on steroids 

Preheat oven to 350. Follow the instructions on the box, combine the eggs, water and vegetable oil, 

Take cake to the next level.by adding 1/2 can chopped pineapple, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup shredded carrots and 1 Tspn vanilla extract. 

Mix for 2 minutes, pour batter into greased bundt pan and bake for aprox 40 minutes.

Let it cool for 30 minutes. Pour melted cream cheese frosting over cake and sprinkle with sweetened coconut. 

Happy Birthday America

More American than Apple Pie

All American Coca Cola cake

A delicious collaboration between Coke and Cracker Barrel in the 1950’s in GA. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Cake 

1 cup Coca-Cola, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup salted butter, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 2/3 cups sugar, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Preheat oven to 350. Butter 9x13 pan. 

Mix together granulated sugar and flour.

In a saucepan, add butter, Coca-Cola, vegetable oil, and unsweetened cocoa, stir and bring to a boil over med heat. 

Combine the butter mixture with the sugar/flour mixture. Beat on low-medium speed for one minute.

Add eggs to the butter and sugar/flour mixture, next add buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla. Beat for a minute on medium. Bake for aprox. 30 minutes

frosting

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup Coca-Cola, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tspn vanilla extract.

Combine butter, cocoa powder, and Coca-Cola in saucepan over med heat. remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Pour it over the cake and spread it evenly.

Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.Enjoy! And Happy 4th of July.

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Source:sweet and savory meals 

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What’s new

See what’s new on your iPhone. Did you know you can remove the background of a photo. Touch and hold it to copy and paste it. 

Bake This

 

Happiness comes from within and a slice of this pound cake with an espresso.

Cream Cheese Pound Cake 

 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1.5 cups butter, room temperature 

1 teaspoon lemon extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbspn vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

Directions:  mix butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and lemon. Mix in  the flour, baking powder and salt. Pour into a greased  pan. 

Bake at 325° for 1.25 or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.