Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
What am I celebrating?
May 26, 2015I am looking forward to Macaroon Day on May 31 – not to be confused with Macaron Day which is March 20.
What is the difference? Macaroons are super sweet, are easy to make, can be made by the home baker, and are not expensive. Macarons are super sweet, are difficult to make, are found in snooty French bakeries patisseries, and are expensive. I like them both.
The Macaroon, a flourless cookie. Traditional macaroons are made with flour ground from almonds and leavened egg whites. It is believed that macaroons originated in Italy. In 1533, macaroon cookies were brought to France by Italian monks and nuns. Two Benedictine nuns, Sister Marguerite and Sister Marie-Elisabeth, baked and sold the cookies in order to pay for their housing. They became known as the “Macaroon Sisters,” and their cookies became famous throughout Europe. Credit: Oddlovescompany
A macaron is a classic French cookie. The soft, crunchy, delicate shell is made from almond flour, sugar and egg whites, and sandwiches a smooth layer of creamy ganache. Credit: macaron day
This is about the easiest Macaroon recipe I know:
- 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 (14 oz.) package (5 1/3 cups) flaked coconut
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix milk and coconut together. Drop by spoonfuls onto the baking sheet. They will set and begin to brown in about 10 minutes. Check them early so they do not burn. Dip the bottoms of the cookies into melted chocolate.
No tattoos this Tuesday, just this little cartoon explanation.
Where am I living now?
May 23, 2015
A Floating House on the river Thames in London, this week crossing local neighborhoods such as Tower Bridge, Chelsea, Westminster and more.
A Floating House on the river Thames in London, this week crossing local neighborhoods such as Tower Bridge, Chelsea, Westminster and more.
Airbnb has revealed its latest listing, the Floating House on the river Thames, to celebrate the passing of the Deregulation Act, giving London residents permission to share their property for up to 90 days each year.
The Floating House with eight meters in height and weighing 70 tonnes, comprises a living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a garden with real grass and an apple tree.
Images credit Mikael Buck / Airbnb
What am I sappy ground squirrel blogging?
May 22, 2015
In a lab at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, hibernating arctic ground squirrels pose medical mysteries. The species can lower its body temperature below freezing and avoid serious head injuries while in hibernation, which lasts seven months.
Photograph by Joel Sartore
Credit: National Geographic
What am I Lego-loving?
May 20, 2015A Scottish software engineer created this beautiful digital Lego model of the Geisel Library (Dr. Seuss). The model includes 117000 individual lego pieces (It’d cost tens of thousands of dollars to make in real life).
This post is re-blogged from The Library blog of the University of San Diego.
With thanks to HMS Defiant for the reference.
Here is the library, in life. We did not get there the last time we were in San Diego, but maybe next time!
I am particularly charmed (get it?) by the snake path leading up to the library – here is a drone view.
What am I growing on tattoo Tuesday?
May 19, 2015
I planted potatoes in these two half barrels. In the smaller one, I planted white potatoes –
In the larger barrel, German butter ball potatoes –
This is what they look like now –
The white potatoes will mature in about 60 days; the German butter balls will take about 130 days. This is the first time I have tried growing potatoes. I am using Happy Frog potting soil. Here’s hoping.
I was surprised to find a number of potato tattoos:
Where am I living now?
May 18, 2015
I like this floating, partially submerged, house, boat, houseboat developed by the Kleindienst Group and showcased at the recent Dubai International Boat Show.
CEO of Kleindienst Group, Josef Kleindienst comments,‘since launching the floating seahorse we have been inundated with local, regional and international inquiries. we are excited to not just offer people a once in a lifetime investment opportunity in Dubai but on a global scale. the floating seahorse is not restricted to Dubai waters and can be designed and fabricated in Dubai for other resorts and destinations worldwide.’
Moving up to the luxury boat’s sea level, the accommodation which includes a fully-fitted kitchen with a dining area and an open plan living area, has floor to ceiling windows, offering uninterrupted ocean scenes. furthermore, when the glass façade is open, the sun deck becomes an extension of the living space. on the upper deck, the floor is suitable for alfresco dining and relaxation, featuring an informal bed, mini bar, kitchenette and a glass-bottomed jacuzzi. the project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2016.
I am trying, however, to picture it on Lake Erie, hmmm, maybe not.
What am I looking at?
May 16, 2015
Seen from above, a seamless sheet of white paper—folded into the shape of an eye—holds and beholds 81 dancers from the New York City Ballet. This 6,500-square-foot composite image was a collaboration with the French artist JR.
Credit: National Geographic
What am I sappy octopus blogging?
May 15, 2015
While I find my cats extremely beautiful and endlessly fascinating, on this sappy cat Friday, the blog is featuring deep sea life. I really like the little creature at the start of this video. There is so much more to know about our oceans. Some say it should take precedence over space travel. I don’t think so. Why not do both.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 
