Office Prank

This post talks about how to change the readout on HP printers. While I am not endorsing the kinds of pranks that can get you fired, the stories here sounded really funny.

Progress

An afghan that I am making for my younger nephew.

Big Ball of Yarn from Joanns. Missy was hanging around hoping that some of the yarn was for her.

I don't always roll the yarn for projects but as the only way to make the skein small enough to carry around with me (which is the only way I ever get anything done) was to roll it into three balls. The yarn is also variegated so the next challenge was to remember to use the balls in the right sequence in order to maintain the striping that started developing. It hasn't turned out perfectly as I have switched skeins but
no one seems to be able to tell but me.

Work in progress. And the cat.

PSMS Annual Mushroom Show

We don't do dates like normal people.

Some weeks ago, we went to the Puget Sound Mycological Society's annual mushroom show. There were hundreds of specimens, all neatly categorized by spore type and species, which were collected with an 150-mile radius of Seattle.



There was a table to touch and smell some of the more interesting types, including one that had a strong potato scent and another that was reminiscent of almonds, vanilla and maraschino cherries. There was also one that is so strongly scented of caramel and maple that is used to flavor desserts.


These are edible mushrooms that are quite flavorful when young but as they age turn into a black goo--earning them the name inky caps. This goo can be used as paint or ink.


I expressed interest in this phenomenon and was given a box of leftovers from the cooking demonstration to take home. They are now nicely deliquesed and sitting in the fridge waiting to be played with.


This photo doesn't do justice to the exquisite range of color in the interior of the cap and stem--from delicate pink to greying purple to chocolately brown to charcoal.

Update:

Well, I waited too long to deal with the mushrooms. They became a horrible, stinky goo which did not thicken properly when heated and were useless. Out to the compost pile!

Pumpkin Pi

We decided to carve the pumpkin that we grew this year for display on Hallowe'en. There was much discussion over what sort of design would be both appropriate and feasible. In the end we chose to memorialize one of our favorite things.

This is the first time that I have used one of those pumpkin carving tools. It is remarkable how much easier it made the process-especially since there were curves involved.

We took turns in order to share the fun of getting goopy hands while pulling out the innards.



Carving:



Nearly finished:



Of course, we needed to include another favorite (and appropriate) part of fall in our area. I think that Jonathan would be pleased if they offered these all year.

Beryl's pillow cover

My youngest sister is amazing in many ways. Not only does she have a warmth and generosity toward others, she is stunningly beautiful and has exquisitely artistic taste in everything from designing drawings to clothes. As she prepared to take on a position of responsibility in her dorm, she asked for things to make the couch in her room more cozy and welcoming.
My contribution:

This was an attempt at a new technique and new materials--organza ribbon embroidery on felted fleece.

Garden Glories

We are finishing up harvesting the results of our second year of gardening and putting the beds to rest for the winter. As always, we learned a few things along the way and enjoyed the fruits (and vegetables) of our labors and God's provision.
First year garden (and handsome husband):

Harvesting Royal Chantenay and Thumbelina carrots:

Showing off the harvest:

This year, with the help of the Michael Delving crew, we removed most of the large brush pile that was taking up badly needed sunny space and were able to expand the growing area to be able to accomodate more peas, squash, carrots pumpkins, strawberries, sunflowers and potatoes. After considerable dissatisfaction with the variety that we grew last year, we also opted to try out a less prolific but ostensibly tastier zucchini. The blue and purple potatoes, purple carrots and sunflowers were Jonathan's contribution.

Second year garden:

Proud potato (and squash and sunflower) planter:

Side yard herb garden:

Burgeoning summer growth with peas on the fence, winter and summer squash and potatotes in the forground. The carrots, radishes, onions and strawberries are being hidden by the zucchini. Note the marigolds interspersed with the summer squash for pest control.

It was an exceptionally good year for blackberries.

Our cheerful sunflowers:

One day's harvest:


I will post more pictures of our produce when we download the fall pictures off of the camera.
In the meantime, this recipe is a very tasty way to use up all of those extra summer squash. It works on bigger zucchini too.

After the Library Book Sale

Did I say that we were going to be picky? Well, I was more selective than I have been in the past but $87.00 later we may need to consider that extra bookshelf. At least we were able to find a few of the gift items that we were looking for.
I also found several books of embroidery stitches and ideas for projects. While they are clearly dated (1970's orange and green hemp vest and owl telephone book covers?), they also have some techniques that are new to me and some design tips that should be really helpful. A couple of them also have photographs of antique work that is amazing, inspiring and discouraging all at the same time. One day I will be able to do work like that!

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

I love this book and, interestingly, my supervisor commented that one of the ways that I contribute to lab morale is by challenging negative attitudes and assumptions. I am much more likely to talk about stitchery design and cellular morphology, however.