Celticangel.org

Here are a couple of photos that the hubby managed to take of the solar eclipse today. They’re purple, as they were taken through a couple of filters from my grandfather’s old camera. So very cool!

This is a detail view from Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine #2 (with which I am obsessed.) If you aren’t familiar with Babbage and his work, click on the link and get in the know. In the Difference Engine art and math combine to create some of the first stirrings of the computer age. Watch the thing in motion. Seriously. I was lucky enough to see it in person during a previous visit to the Computer History Museum. …Okay, I’ll stop now.

…And the song obsession I’ve has for the last 3 days (I watched the video, then immediately bought the song and I’ve been listening ever since) is: (I’m the One That’s) Cool by The Guild/Felicia Day. Fair warning for the sensitive (like me): this video shows depictions of bullying (seemingly from the memories of the characters). If this is something you might have trouble with, just listen rather than watch. The song is great. It’s a “Ha! Geeks are cool now!” anthem.

Luckily, I don’t think that anyone saw me rocking out in my cube.

You may yet remember that I get obsessed with songs. Well…here is Sunday’s song obsession: Abney Park – Steampunk Revolution. I think I’ve listened to it 100 times already, and I can’t wait for the album to come out.

Why did I get obsessed by this one? Well, 1)I love Abney Park 2)I groove on the Steampunk aesthetic 3)The tune is catchy and I can dance to it (in my room…and possibly in my cube).

We went to the Computer History Museum again the other day, armed with cameras. This is the entrance (well…the sign for the current exhibit at the entrance).

April is National Poetry Month. I don’t promise a poem a day, but at least a few poems will appear…and I’ll mix it up with some images that could be seen as poetic. (If you look at them a certain way…) We start with a signpost. Let’s see what’s inside together, eh?

Frisbee had been ill for almost a year, not that anyone seemed to have told him. We thought we’d lose him in early 2011, but with treatment he perked up and was right back to his old tribble-purred self. And then, right smack dab in the middle of the holidays just passed, his health took a major nose-dive. But, being Frisbee, he held on a while longer, and quite enjoyed sitting under our first Christmas tree.

We didn’t even get Frisbee until a few years ago when his people had to move away. I didn’t complain. I’d known him for years, and he was more than welcome. He was originally supposed to join them when everything got settled, but I was selfishly pleased to keep him. He enjoyed play fighting with Sam, our tabby. He kept my MIL company during the day. He had the most amazing silent meow that he would occasionally use if extreme cuteness was required. The most laid back and mellow cat I’ve ever met was our Fris. I mean…he let small children use him as a pillow and had none of the traditional vacuum fear. Mind you, woe betide anyone who didn’t wake up when he wanted them to. He’d go from batting your face to licking your eye to just curling up on your head, depending upon the situation.

I’ll miss his habit of curling up on anyone lying down long enough. My iPad isn’t quite as much fun, now that he isn’t constantly trying to sit on it. My kitchen is empty in the morning when he’d normally be begging for treats. I even miss the “claws-in-my-thigh-pay-attention-to-me” thing.

We miss you Mr Frissers, and we hope you’ve found a nice warm vent to sleep next to in Heaven.

Right. I think it’s about time for a link dump, don’t you?

• Hey! Support School Libraries! Sign This petition (at whitehouse.gov). (It may have an issue with I older versions of IE…or it might just be my work computer.)
• Shiny pretty kettle. I wants it. Yes, my precious.
• A Softer World is a webcomic (that uses photos) that sometimes speaks to me, but often is on a rather different wavelength. Today’s, though, I want to frame and put on my wall. (and I can.)
• Singer Salvage V-neck t-shirt? Yes, please.
• Speaking of T-shirts, here’s one from my been there, done that, want the t-shirt department – ESO Podcast I Survived the Geek Seat shirt.

And finally, a video of my niece with her books:

This is one of those recipes where my lack of cooking/baking experience is most evident. For example, does one bake this pie? If so, for how long/at what temp? Ah well. It certainly sounds good.

This recipe was found in a book called Galley Finale: A Collection of Mariner Soups, Sloops, and Other Incredible Edibles which was put out by The Presbyterian Church of Fair Oaks, Ca in 1978.

Rhubarb Custard Pie by My Grandmother

3 full c. sliced rhubarb stalks, 3/8 inch thick
2 eggs, well-beaten
1 1/4 c. sugar
Cinnamon
Dots of butter or margarine
2 generous tsp. flour

Sprinkle bottom crust liberally with 1 heaping tablespoon flour. Add 1/2 the rhubarb and cover with 1/2 the sugar and dot with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Drip the beaten eggs as evenly as possible over the first layer. Repeat layers and rest of ingredients. Place a top crust over all this. Be generous with the cinnamon.
—

If anyone makes one of the recipes from this blog, please let me know how it goes. Thanks!

Yet another family dessert that I don’t recall encountering. This one sounds quite yummy, though. I love carrots, you see.

This recipe was found in a book called Galley Finale: A Collection of Mariner Soups, Sloops, and Other Incredible Edibles which was put out by The Presbyterian Church of Fair Oaks, Ca in 1978.

Carrot Cookies by My Grandmother

1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. finely grated carrots
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
2 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan melt butter. Add sugar and stir until well-blended. Remove from heat and beat in eggs. Beat in all remaining ingredients except nuts, fold in last. Bake in greased square pan. Cut when warm.
—

If anyone out there makes one of the recipes posted on this blog, please let me know how it comes out. Thanks!

This one looks familiar. Actually, if my Mum is reading this, I might like to try a dark chocolate version at the next family event. *hopeful smile*

This recipe was found in a book called Galley Finale: A Collection of Mariner Soups, Sloops, and Other Incredible Edibles which was put out by The Presbyterian Church of Fair Oaks, Ca in 1978.

Heavenly Hash Candy by My Grandmother

Put 1 pound milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler and set over hot water to melt. Stir occasionally until it is melted. Pour half of this chocolate into a tray lined with waxed paper. Cover the chocolate with a mixture of:

1 c. chopped nutmeats
12 diced marshmallows

Pour in the remaining chocolate and let the mixture cool. Break the candy into pieces.
—

If anyone makes one of the recipes posted on this blog, please let me know how they turned out. Thanks!