2011 September

Archive from September, 2011

Sep 29, 2011 -

How can I make a terrarium?

Basically, a terrarium is “a collection of compatible plants grown in an enclosed, or partially enclosed, clear container…Your choice of containers is only as broad as your imagination. There are many ready made terrariums available, or you can use bottles, jars, aquariums, fishbowls, or even brandy snifters…”

For more information, you may refer to the following:-

1. Web Resource

Source: http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium.html

Title: Terrariums – The Garden Helper

Link:http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium.html

Description: Nov 27, 1999 … Step by step guide to creating and planting an indoor terrarium garden.

Last accessed date: 23 September 2011

2. Web Resource

Source: http://www.terrariums.com/

Title: Terrariums – Welcome to Terrariums.com!

Link: http://www.terrariums.com/

Description: Welcome to the place to be to get acquainted with terrariums. You’ll find loads of terrarium talk here, from how-to to history and everything in between. …

Last accessed date: 23 September 2011

3. Web Resource

Source: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/crafts/miniature-garden/

Title: Grow Your Own Miniature Garden — National Geographic Kids

Link: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/crafts/miniature-garden/

Description: Grow your own terrarium in six easy steps with this fun activity from National Geographic Kids.

Last accessed date: 23 September 2011

4. Web Resource

Source: http://www.essortment.com/build-set-up-terrarium-22773.html

Title: How To Build & Set Up A Terrarium – Essortment Articles

Link: http://www.essortment.com/build-set-up-terrarium-22773.html

Description: Instructions on building, designing, and maintain a terrarium including choosing a container, the types of soils, suitable varieties of plants and animals.

Last accessed date: 23 September 2011

5. Book

Title: The complete encyclopedia of terrarium Eugene Bruins.

Author: Bruins, Eugène

Publisher: Lisse, Netherlands : Rebo Publisher, c1999.

Call No.: English 639.3703 BRU

Description: “This 2nd edition reprinted in 2006.” “This 2nd edition reprinted in 2006.”

Visit our online catalogue at http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg to check on the availability of the books.

Original replied by Norah Ismail
Posted by Norah Ismail, Librarian, YIPL

Sep 23, 2011 -

Uncategorized

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How did we store our food before the invention of the Refrigerator?

The refrigerator allows for purchasing and storing large quantities of food. Storing food in the refrigerator also helps to reduce the likeliness of food borne illnesses and sickness as it helps to prevent food from going bad or spoilt.

Throughout ancient history, different cultures had devised ways to keep food cold based on their local climates. Caves, cold streams, cellars, and snow were used to keep the food cold. Over time, people realised the possibility of cutting chunks of natural ice, protecting it, and using it in wood, cellars or underground chambers for food storage.

Humans also discovered that the evaporation of salt water brine absorbs heat. With this discovery, food could be stored in smaller containers and placed in brine to keep it cold. Foods were stored in wooden cabinets where holes were drilled into the cabinet to allow cool air to circulate inside. The wooden ice boxes were lined with tin or zinc, and insulated with sawdust, straw or seaweed. An insulated cabinet held ice, while another held food. Drip pans collected melting water and fresh blocks of ice were delivered daily.

Reference:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5470799_did-people-use-before-refrigerators.html

For more information, check these books out!

All Rights Reserved, New Society Publishers, 2009
Title: Independence Days: A guide to sustainable food storage and preservation by Sharon Astyk
Publisher: Gabriola, BC: New Society Publishers, 2009
Call No: English 641.4 AST

All Rights Reserved, Storey Pub, c2009
Title: The Beginner’s Guide to Preserving Food at Home by Janet Chadwick
Publisher: North Adams, Mass.: Storey Pub., c2009
Call No: English 641.4 CHA

Posted by Ms Aslin Harminah Anuar, Children’s Librarian.

Sep 22, 2011 -

Uncategorized

3 Comments

How does one keep a marriage strong?

marriage

Marriage isn’t just about flowers, romance and happily ever afters – hard work and commitment are essential components as well! Here are some tips from recent publications on this topic.

One of the recent findings is that talking – sharing feelings frankly – seems to be counterproductive despite being an instinctive answer. In “How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It” by psychotherapists Patricia Love and Steven Stosny, both contend that while opening up and frankly discussing and sharing feelings may come naturally for women, putting men in a situation where they have to talk about their feelings may actually have the effect of shutting them up very quickly, which can lead to a deterioration of the relationship. For example, talking about feelings, which is soothing to women, makes men physically uncomfortable. There is increased blood flow to their muscles, making them fidgety, which may make women think they’re not listening. Another related finding is that of male and female responses to stress. While newborn girls are much more easily frightened, boys have five times as many “startle” reactions which are emotionally neutral but pump up adrenaline. As a result, boys need to intermittently withdraw into themselves to keep from becoming overstimulated. Hence, to ask men to open up and talk about their feelings is to ask them to go against their nature.

Even more recent is the proposition put forth by Dr. Gary Chapman, author of “The 5 Love Languages”. He suggested that unhappiness in marriage is often caused by a simple fact: we speak different love languages. Chapman distinguishes among five different “love languages”: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. For example, while some of us need focused attention, others need constant praise. Some of us may look upon regularly receiving gifts as necessary, while others may see fixing a light bulb, ironing a shirt, or cooking a meal as equivalent to a “gift.”

Finally, in the classic work “His Needs, Her Needs”, clinical psychologist Willard F. Harley, Jr. proposes a marriage centered on the concept of “the love bank.” Every partner in a marital union has a love bank that encounters both “deposits” and “withdrawals” from their partner. However, these deposits and withdrawals are made differently between men and women and these differences are based upon the most-felt needs in any relationship. Husbands in general place the highest importance on the following five needs: sexual fulfilment, recreational companionship, an attractive spouse, domestic support, and admiration. Conversely, wives place the highest importance on the following five needs: affection, conversation, honesty and openness, financial support, and family commitment. Both genders express need for all ten items, but typically husbands and wives have contrasting priorities. When an individual meets one or more of the partner’s needs, deposits are made into the partner’s love bank. When one or more needs are not met, withdrawals are made from the partner’s love bank. A breakdown or even an affair occurs when a spouse finds fulfilment for a strongly felt need elsewhere because it is not being met satisfactorily within the marriage. While this concept may not apply precisely to everyone, it still presents an accurate picture for most marriages in our society today.

Answered by Roy See, Associate Librarian

References
1. Title : How to improve your marriage without talking about it – finding love beyond words
Author : Patricia Love
Publisher : New York : Broadway Books, c2007
Call number : Adult English 646.78 LOV – [FAM]

2. Title : The 5 love languages – the secret to love that lasts
Author : Gary Chapman
Publisher : Chicago : Northfield Pub., c2010
Call number : Adult English 646.78 CHA – [FAM]

3. Title : His needs, her needs – building an affair-proof marriage
Author : Willard F. Harley Jr.
Publisher : Grand Rapids, Mich. : Fleming H. Revell, c2011
Call number : English Adult 306.810973 HAR – [FAM]

Posted by Judy Kong

Sep 21, 2011 -

..Adults, ..Children, ..Teens, Anything & Everything

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Is there any difference between liquid and solid soaps?

At the very basic level there is no real difference between solid soaps, liquid soaps, and shower gels with respect to the cleaning power. All types of true soap are composed of the same essential components — alkali salts of fatty acids and detergent properties. The detergent in soap, which is called a surfactant, allows oil and dirt to mix with and be washed away by water.

Liquid soaps usually contain moisturizers which is good for the skin compared to bar soaps. Which type of soaps to use depends on individual preference, skin condition and suitability.

Please refer to the following sites and books for more information about soaps.

WEBSITES

1. Bar Soap versus Liquid Soap

http://www.drversus.com/science/bar-soap-versus-liquid-soap.html

2. Dr Bronner’s Magic All-One FAQs on Soaps

http://www.drbronner.com/faqs_main.html

BOOKS