Tips Guides

Many of us live, and think, as if “nature” and “culture” were separate things, kept apart by a porous but clear boundary. In fact, it’s usually hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. (Think of the ways most of us encounter nature - we visit “forest preserves” created, and bounded, by an act of local government.)

For a farther-reaching example, you could hardly do better than to examine the history of tobacco - a plant that sometimes assumes new characteristics depending on the soil where it’s planted. Consider just one strain of this ubiquitous, lucrative crop: White Burley.

The second-most-popular pipe tobacco now sold, White Burley arose solely because its ancestor, Red Burley tobacco, was just as popular and widely-used during the nineteenth-century. Cincinnati farmer George Webb found that a strange, whitish, slightly weaker-tasting strain of Red Burley was growing in his tobacco patch. He began selling it at local fairs and markets as a curiosity - like a two-headed calf at a state fair - but smokers found that they enjoyed this whitish mutant version of Red Burley more than the parent crop, leading to the widespread cultivation - and eventual dominance - of White Burley.

Meanwhile, poor Red Burley went extinct because no one cultivated it anymore. You could call this “natural selection,” but it’s a clear result of cultural forces as well - the preference for a lighter, airier flavor of tobacco, good marketing, etc. Nature provides the raw material, culture adapts it, and the history of plant biology moves on.

The history of this uniquely valuable crop goes back farther than we can trace; it may have been growing in the Americas eight thousand years ago, and archaeologists have found evidence (from engravings on vases and other items) that people have smoked it for, at least, the past four millennia. But tobacco smoking reached the rest of the world as a result of late-medieval/early-modern exploration - and of colonialism.

Sailors on Columbus’s expedition noticed it among indigenous natives of what would later become Cuba. Some of the finest tobacco has always, historically speaking, grown there, especially in the Pinar del Ra province. Explorers brought samples of tobacco all over the world. From the beginning of the modern era, then, tobacco’s evolution was linked to its commercial possibilities.

For example, tobacco smoking seems so much a part of the culture of the Middle East - travel to Egypt sometime, and you’ll smell the richly aromatic strain known today as “oriental” tobacco (despite the political incorrectness of that word). Surprisingly, that smell wasn’t always a feature of Arab culture - it wasn’t always hanging in the air at the soukh (outdoor market) and the coffeehouse.

Tobacco spread from Europe in the aftermath of Columbus’s expedition/conquest, and set down roots in the Middle East very quickly - some of these cultures had already given a place to cannabis smoking in their rituals, so the concept wasn’t new. This kind of tobacco, rich and almost fruity, is often used in the West in pipes and in cigarettes, but smoking it from a hookah is a special treat.

Brightleaf tobacco - also known as “Virginia tobacco” despite it originating in North Carolina - is another instance. Early in the nineteenth century, smokers already clamored for a milder-flavored tobacco than what was generally grown in the South; the demand for another strain existed.

In 1839, North Carolina farmer Abisha Slade sought to fulfill this demand by planting a gold-leaf tobacco plant in sandy soil. This, however, wasn’t enough; the plants didn’t seem usable, until a slave of Slade’s, named Stephen, used charcoal to restart a curing fire that had gone out.

The sudden heat turned the leaves yellow - and gave birth to the idea of heat-curing plants with charcoal. Stephen and Slade’s discovery had dramatic consequences - not only did it fulfill a demand for a softer-tasting smoke, but it gave Virginia farmers a way to turn the infertile Appalachian piedmont region into a goldmine.

The Civil War only increased the popularity of Brightleaf, since Union soldiers traveling through the area enjoyed the taste. Thus, despite its origins in North Carolina, this still-popular tobacco clearly deserves the name “Virginia.”

CigarFox provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1000 different brands! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

For the past fifteen years or so, the market for this once-nearly-moribund luxury has been on an impressive rebound. From its height in the 1850s - when Cuba alone exported 356.6 million cigars - until the early 1990s, the cigar market had badly declined, falling victim to competition from cigarettes and then to declining American interest in smoking generally; by the 1980s, the industry’s aging customer base seemed to promise ever-diminishing returns for cigar makers.

Then during the year 1992 - for reasons no one has ever completely explained - the market experienced four-percent growth, followed by a ten-percent rise in cigar imports the following year. The “cigar boom” (an industry term) had begun, and by 1996, the cigar industry was seeing 36 percent first-quarter growth, back orders of 55 million units, and the proliferation of neighborhood cigar bars, cigar-friendly restaurants, magazines, et. al.

Which brings us - most likely - to why you’re reading a piece entitled “How To Smoke Cigars.” You’ve noticed the new ubiquity of cigar smoking in the last fifteen years, its new importance as a bonding activity or relaxation ritual, and you’re wondering how to get started. Specifically, you’re wondering how to choose your first cigar, or your first box of cigars.

First - before you go to the cigar store or online retailer (not the nearby convenience store, for your own sake!), learn a bit of the lingo. Start by learning wrapper lingo, because the cigar’s wrapper has everything to do with whether its taste is dry or sweet. The wrapper is the outer leaf of tobacco that gives the cigar its color. The color of the wrapper also indicates both the kind of tobacco used, and the cigar’s flavor in general.

The general rule here is that the color of the wrapper means the opposite of what it would mean for beer taste: lighter, greenish-colored cigars tend to taste dry, while cigars wrapped in a darker, brownish or blackish leaf have a sweet tinge. The colors run from green to black, but here’s a basic rundown:

Double Claro cigars, also known as “American Market Selection” (AMS) or “Candela” wrapper cigars, are green and dry-tasting; Claro wrappers are light tan and slightly less dry; Colorado Claro, medium brown; Colorado, reddish and still less dry. At Colorado Maduro, meanwhile, we’re already dealing with a slightly dark, slightly sweet cigar, followed by Maduro wrappers (by now we’re at the sweet-tasting end of the color spectrum), and finally the near-chocolatey-tasting and entirely black Oscuro wrappers.

There’s also a whole lexicon devoted to cigar size and shape, including way too many gradations. For our purposes, though, cigars basically run a gamut from tiny cigarillos to panatelas (available in small, slim, short and long variations) to medium-sized coronas (ca. 6-7 inches long) to, at the larger end, popular Churchills (seven inches long and very thick), double coronas (slightly bigger than Churchills) and giants (nine inches long). The size has no relationship to taste; it does have implications for overall smoking experience. (Do you want a long, contemplative smoke, or a short smoke that enlivens the interstices of your day?)

As for cigar shape - well, you might not expect there to be much variation here. But specially-shaped premium cigars are a growing part of the market: Culebra (Spanish for “snake,” so named because it’s made of three small cigars twisted together into a snake shape), Perfecto (with two tapered ends), Torpedo (a fat straight cigar with a pointed head). For shorter, thicker cigars, the name Rothschild or (though this is a misspelling) Rothchild was used for many years, in honor of the famous German banking family, but increasingly cigar manufacturers are renaming these stubby cigars Robustos. Adding to the confusion, some manufacturers use both names, labeling 5 1/2 inch 50-ring models “Robustos” and slightly shorter, same-width cigars “Rothschild”!

What’s the best cigar for a beginner? It totally depends on you - your interests, the tastes that sound most appealing, etc. One might think “sweet” cigars offer the least challenging taste experience to a cigar neophyte, but in fact many first-time smokers love the dry, complicated taste of Claros. Try smoking with an experienced friend, checking a cigar specialty magazine or website, or order a premium cigar sampler from a cigar shop or online service.

CigarFox provides the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, Gurkha, Macanudo, Rocky Patel, Romeo, Drew Estate, and many more. Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

Whether you are new to scrapbooking or have been putting your scrapbook ideas into practice for a while, every keen scrapbooking enthusiast welcomes new ideas, tips and techniques so I am going to share a few of mine with you.

Attaching Ribbon To Your Scrapbook Ideas:-

Ribbon is a beautiful way to accessorize a scrapbook page. It gives the page a three dimensional look and there are thousands of colors, designs and sizes of ribbon so you are sure to find something to suit the project you are working on.

There are many ways to use ribbon with your scrapbook ideas including ribbon glue which is especially made to adhere ribbon to paper. You could also use eyelets or brads, again these come in a huge variety of shapes and colors.

Attaching ribbon using staples is also a visually impressive way of embellishing your scrapbook ideas. You can use peel off pens or permanent markers to change the color of the staples helping to coordinate them with your scrapbook pages.

Using Chipboard For Scrapbook Ideas:-

Chipboard is a lot like cardboard but generally it is slightly thicker than cardstock but thinner than cardboard. If you are using chipboard for your scrapbook ideas always check the packaging or use an acid test pen to ensure it is acid free as quite often it is not.

The most common way to use chipboard with any of your scrapbook ideas is to cover it with paper. Cut the chipboard to the size and shape you require then trace the chipboard to the backside of your chosen paper. Simply cut the paper out and adhere to the chipboard. Because the sides will still be showing you can use ink, paint or pens to color the edges.

Using Flat Or Wrinkled Paper For Your Scrapbook Ideas:-

If your scrapbook page layout is depicts an old era then distressing a piece of paper to use as a background is a really effective way to give an aged look. To distress or ‘age’ a piece of scrapbook paper begin by crumpling it up then flattening it out. Brush an ink pad over the raised surface to give a distressed look. You can purchase specialist distress ink that will work really well but generally any ink will do but some may just need longer to dry.

If you need to flatten a piece of paper to use for your scrapbook ideas the best way is to use an iron on a low setting with no steam. I would recommend you also place a piece of scrapbook paper on top for extra protection.

Tips For Framing Photos:-

Most people matt and layer photos before adding them to a scrapbook page. Matt and layering is basically a technique where you build up layers of paper sticking one on top of the other to form a frame. There are many other ways to frame a photo including using ribbon, photo corners, photo turns, large brackets and ready made metal frames.

How To Attach Pictures For Your Scrapbook Ideas Without Causing Damage :-

If you are creating a scrapbook page layout and using an original photo that you do not want to cut, stick or damage in anyway there are a few simple techniques to add the picture to your scrapbook page without causing any damage.

The easiest way is to use photo corners however if you want a really effective way try making an envelope and placing the picture inside. Keep the envelope open so the photo can be seen, you can embellish the envelope to match your scrapbook page.

When putting together any scrapbook ideas every crafter will stumble upon new ways and techniques and it is always a good idea to share these ideas with other keen scrapbookers by joining a community or forum, you never no, you may find the answer to a problem that has been bugging you for ages.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Scrapbook Ideas. providing you with excellent tips and ideas on How To Make A Scrapbook She also specializes in Card Making.

The classic Bowie knife was not just one design, but rather a sequence of knives reinvented quite a few times by Jim Bowie. The earliest such model type was made by a man named Jesse Cliff. Jim Bowie’s idea directly bared a resemblance to the Spanish hunting knives of those days and varied a little from an ordinary butcher knife. The blade is later on described as:

* 9 1/2″ in length, 1/4″ inch thick and 1 1/2″ inches wide
* It was straight-backed having no clip point
* Simple riveted wood scale handle

The type most frequently recognized as the chronological Bowie knife would typically have no less than six inches of blade length. Although some would reach 12 inches or more; and have a width that would reach to about four to five centimeters. The backside of the blade sometimes had a narrow piece of malleable metal (normally copper or brass) inlaid premeditated to grasp an enemy’s blade, and also frequently had a superior guard which bowed to the fore at an angle (S-guard), that is also directed to capture an enemy’s blade. The version attributed to James Black (a blacksmith) had the back border of the bent clip point, also called the “false edge” sharpened and filed in order to permit someone educated in European skills of saber fencing to carry out the tactic identified the “back slash” or “back cut.” Typically cast in a mold, the brass quillon is fastened to safeguard the hand.

The Different Bowie Knives:

A. “Hunter Bowie Knife”
The hunter Bowie knife was created in New Jersey by a cutler named Alfred Hunter. The knives that he made have been legendary and are rarely seen in the market these days. A Spanish notch is visible in the blade which is also found in many historical knives. Its blade is made of high carbon steel with nickel and wood as the handle. The overall length is fourteen inches and it weighs up to 12oz.

B. “New Orleans Bowie”
Pradel, the knife maker of New Orleans, crafted the knife through replicating the existing original. The grip is made of a checkered buffalo horn and the clear lines give the knife an outstanding appearance. Like the Hunter Bowie Knife, this is made of high carbon steel and it also has the length of up to 14 inches. However, it weighs lighter than the previous classification.

C. “Chevalier Bowie”
The Chevalier Knife has been crafted in a little shop in Broadway. It was named after the man who created it, John Chevalier. Nowadays, this type of knife is well-known among collectors and users too. They are much sought after especially by those who purchase knives for collection purposes. The nickel silver tip and throat give it an intimidating appearance. The extravagance is perfected by its authentic leather sheath. Like the others, it is made mostly of carbon steel and its handle is crafted with the use of a genuine stag. It weighs almost the same as the other Bowie knives too.

D. “Vicksburg Bowie”
The Vicksburg Bowie came out in the year 1836 and was manufactured by the W. & S. Butcher Company. Its grip or handle resembles that of a dog bone. The American market was awed by its appearance and since them it became a big hit in the industry. Its handle also has nickel silver plus it has an inlaid shield. It is a little bit shorter and weighs lighter than the other Bowie types.

E. “Horse and Gator Bowie”
In the middle of the year 1850, the Woodhead and Hartley Corporation produced yet another enticing knife designs. Its distinctive logo which is embossed in the handle looks like a half alligator and a half horse. It became a major buy in the market because of its intricate carvings and its plush look.

There are several other types of Bowie knives. In fact, mentioning all of them would probably take hours. However, the above classifications are the oldest and are among the most famous of the Bowie knife collection. Up to now, knife collectors find it difficult to search for the all original ones. You can only be lucky if you’ll still be able to purchase one.

William “Cole” Doggett is a knife expert and owns an Internet knife shop, Knife & Supply Company, LLC at Pocket Knife | Hunting Knife | SOG Knife. Also, check out the huge Bowie Knife selection!

After you get done taking pictures with your digital camera the next step is deciding what you want to do with all of your pictures. You probably will want to transfer them to your computer hard drive first and go from there. Depending on the type of camera you have, you will either remove the video card and place it in the reader, or you will plug your camera directly into your computer’s Firewire or USB port.

Many digital cameras come with software to help you manage your pictures. Usually the program will show you mini versions of your pictures, so you can go through your collection and get them ready for printing out into full color pictures with your photo software. Many photo programs also let you make corrections to any of your images, like removing that demonic-looking red eye. Or, you can use other types of software, like Adobe Photoshop, to completely alter the appearance of your pictures. There are loads of options for sharing and showing off your pictures. You can print them out on photo quality paper and create beautiful photographs, upload them to an image sharing site, e-mail them, etc. The possibilities are nearly endless.

With today’s technological advances in digital photography one can easily print high quality pictures at home on a photo printer, or you can send them to a digital photo printing service. Either option has it’s good points and not so good points. If you decide to buy your own photo printer, you will be able to print your pictures very nearly as soon as you take them; And a lot of the new printers are portable so you can take it with you on vacation and print out your photos as you like. The down side is that even with the initial cost of the printer out of the way, replacement supplies of ink and paper can add up really quickly. Usually, this is an expensive way to print your photos, and unless money is not an issue, it can really break a budget.

Most of the time, having a professional digital photo printing service is the more economical way to go. You can make the basic standard-sized prints for pennies on the dollar and get the large prints for just a few bucks.

There are many places online where you can sign up for a free account, and upload the photos you want to print, and then place your order. Many department stores have an in-store kiosk where you can take a CD or your digital camera and place your order there and have them printed out right at the kiosk.

Using a professional digital photo printing service is more often the cheaper route. Much more inexpensive than buying your own printer, ink and paper replacements, and your prints will more likely be of a better quality. However, uploading the pictures you want to have printed will take time because you will have to send full-sized, high-resolution pictures. And it will take a few days for your prints to come in too.

If you’d rather share your photos in an online gallery there are lots of sites to choose from. You can start an account on an image-sharing site like Snapfish or Flickr. A lot of these sites offer free services, but some do limit the amount of pictures you can upload each month or the amount of disc space you can use. Some even offer the digital photo printing service for a small fee.

Foto’s Ontwikkelen and Foto’s Printen

When it comes to the world of cake decorating, your bread and butter is the icing. Icing is king in the world of cake decorating. You simply can’t decorate a cake without icing, can you? Here is a brief overview of the many different kinds of cake icing. These are the most common kinds of cake icing, although there are certainly many more. Cake icing can be as simple as an easy to make glaze, or it can be complicated as an elaborate fondant. Whatever it is that you are working with, here are some of your more popular choices when it comes to the world of cake decoration and cake icing.

Butter, Sugar and Flavorings

The most common type of cake decoration icing is an icing made with the basic ingredients: butter and icing. This is a simple yet classic icing that you can whip up at the last minute. After all, all cake icings are fundamentally created from a mixture of sugar, butter and flavoring. You can use this simply icing to cover your cake, or you can spread it inside the cake and use it to layer the cake, kind of like “gluing” the different layers of the cake together. It is important to use just the right amount of icing. The last thing you probably want is to avoid overdoing it with the cake icing.

The Classic Cake Decorating Icing - Butter cream

Butter cream icings are classic - these are the icings that have been most identified with cake decoration from the very start. A butter cream icing has a buttery, sweet flavor. The texture of a butter cream icing is creamy and smooth and many pastry chefs generally favor these butter cream icings because it is so easy to work with. Butter cream has a great overall consistency that makes it a favorite icing base for many pastry chefs. Like most icings, butter cream can be either thinned or thickened according to use. You can make butter cream thicker, for instance, if you need to create stiff mold figures.

Royal Icing - The Other Popular Choice

Royal icing is another popular icing type. The biggest mark of royal icing is that it is made using meringue powder. Royal icing also has a sweet taste and flavor, but it is very different from butter cream icing in that it dries much faster and harder. Royal icing is generally reserved for creating mold figures and lace work. Royal icing is well suited for making figure piping, creating flower decorations, and filigree designs. This is the kind of icing that you see on gingerbread houses in order to achieve small details and delicate borders. Royal icing tends to harden and ‘hold’ parts together. Royal icing is common used in Europe, where it is used to ice many different kinds of fruit wedding cakes.

Welcome to the World of rolled fondant icing. Rolled fondant icing has a consistency that is similar to play dough. It is a smooth and flat icing that can be rolled, as the name implies. In fact, rolled fondant icing is generally rolled out like dough and then it is molded over the cake. It has a soft, pliable consistency. Rolled fondant can be notoriously difficult to work with, and only experienced pastry chefs tend to work with this kind of icing. Another popular form of fondant icing is known as poured fondant icing. As the name implies, this is type of rolled fondant icing that begins as a liquid. It is poured over the surface of the cake and then it dries. The poured fondant icing is known as a generally easy type of icing to work with that even the beginner can use with relative ease.

Josephine Gauttier is the author of the popular eBook “The Art of Cake Decorating”. You can find more information about cake decorating at http://www.artofcakedecorating.com