Yesterday I went for my annual eye checkup at the opthalmologist (eye surgeon). I developed a small cataract in my right eye many years ago. I had been fighting a recurring eye inflammation with a powerful steroid (prednisone) which was the only thing that kept it in check. It's funny when I quit my stressful job nearly 10 years ago, my inflammation went away. But I was left with this small cataract which is 'stable' according to the wonderful doctor, meaning no need for any surgery. It was cold, so I popped into the gym afterward for a quick workout. My eyes were still dilated!
L says there are an amazing amount of kids sick at her school from a variety of illnesses. So much so that they have cancelled a school dance planned for Friday. The principal thought it wasn't a good idea at this time. I've never heard of this happening before.
It's a lot brighter in the mornings when we wake up, since the switch to Daylight Savings Time. But it also gets darker more quickly in the evenings now.
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Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Grams to Cups
It's 'Take our kids to work day' here in Ontario. Grade 9 kids get to spend the day at work with their parents. M's office has planned a special day for the kids, so K hopefully it will make a good impression on K.
A few nights ago, I found this simple (about 4 ingredients) pound cake recipe from 'Christine's Recipes: Asian and Western Cooking'. M said he would make it, and whipped it up in no time. The interesting thing about it is that the recipe is given in grams. So when I went to google to do the conversions I was surprised to learn that it's not a straight 'grams to cups' conversion. You are converting 'weight' in grams (or ounces) to 'volume' in cups (or teaspoons and tablespoons).
Wikianswers has a great explanation:
'Depending on the density of the material you are going to have in the cup, the weight in grams of the material will vary. For example, if you fill the cup with lead, the cup will weigh much more than if you fill with feathers. This is why the cup is considered an unnecessary value of measurement, created by America to make things simpler for people who cook by an average, rather than precision.'
Anyway, it's a great, light-tasting cake and we made it without the walnuts to satisfy all palates.
Here are my conversions if you would like to try it using the cup measurements:
Butter Pound Cake
1 cup self-rising flour
2 eggs
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
Pre-heat oven to 350F
cream meted butter, sugar
whisk eggs in
sift flour into the egg mixture
bake in a loaf-size pan lined with parchment paper for 35 - 40 minutes.
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A few nights ago, I found this simple (about 4 ingredients) pound cake recipe from 'Christine's Recipes: Asian and Western Cooking'. M said he would make it, and whipped it up in no time. The interesting thing about it is that the recipe is given in grams. So when I went to google to do the conversions I was surprised to learn that it's not a straight 'grams to cups' conversion. You are converting 'weight' in grams (or ounces) to 'volume' in cups (or teaspoons and tablespoons).
Wikianswers has a great explanation:
'Depending on the density of the material you are going to have in the cup, the weight in grams of the material will vary. For example, if you fill the cup with lead, the cup will weigh much more than if you fill with feathers. This is why the cup is considered an unnecessary value of measurement, created by America to make things simpler for people who cook by an average, rather than precision.'
Anyway, it's a great, light-tasting cake and we made it without the walnuts to satisfy all palates.
Here are my conversions if you would like to try it using the cup measurements:
Butter Pound Cake
1 cup self-rising flour
2 eggs
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
Pre-heat oven to 350F
cream meted butter, sugar
whisk eggs in
sift flour into the egg mixture
bake in a loaf-size pan lined with parchment paper for 35 - 40 minutes.
News
Proper poppy etiquette: When's the right time to start wearing one?
Scared of flying? Press the fear iButton
Ho Hos no laughing matter
Inflatable player entertains people
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Create Tuesday 11
Here's my entry for Lissa's Create Tuesday 11.
Click on the link in the sidebar for more details if you would like to participate.
There isn't a specific theme this week, except to say it's a found object, in my case 'Pennies':
I was inspired by actually finding a copper penny on a red-coloured jogging track a few weeks ago, although I've enhanced the 'reds' a bit. Hope you like it.
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Click on the link in the sidebar for more details if you would like to participate.
There isn't a specific theme this week, except to say it's a found object, in my case 'Pennies':
I was inspired by actually finding a copper penny on a red-coloured jogging track a few weeks ago, although I've enhanced the 'reds' a bit. Hope you like it.
News
Bad moods may be good for memory: study
Man-eating lions consumed 35 people in 1898
Monday, November 2, 2009
It's Time to Rake the Leaves
It was overcast, but mild weather on my walk yesterday morning. I saw quite a few seniors gathering leaves (do the younger people sleep in? or maybe they don't rake). The mulchers, leaf blowers and rakes were out. Welcome to November. We're now on Daylight Savings Time, having gained an hour over the weekend. It's funny how it always seems so much harder to adjust to losing an hour in the spring.
My sister that lives nearby thinks her kids got the H1N1 flu last week. They missed 3 days of school but were better in time for Halloween. My niece in California also got it, and seems to have recovered quickly. A lot of kids at L's school have been away from school with illness, but she now thinks it's more due to strep throat.
I found some VHS tapes from Amazon.ca, so I ordered a bunch. Soon they won't be selling them anywhere as technology is changing faster than we are.
I tried to set up a dinner for December 20th and wouldn't you know, one of the families already has plans for that timeframe. Here I am thinking I'm planning ahead for once! Sometimes last minute plans can work just as well.
My sister that lives nearby thinks her kids got the H1N1 flu last week. They missed 3 days of school but were better in time for Halloween. My niece in California also got it, and seems to have recovered quickly. A lot of kids at L's school have been away from school with illness, but she now thinks it's more due to strep throat.
I found some VHS tapes from Amazon.ca, so I ordered a bunch. Soon they won't be selling them anywhere as technology is changing faster than we are.
I tried to set up a dinner for December 20th and wouldn't you know, one of the families already has plans for that timeframe. Here I am thinking I'm planning ahead for once! Sometimes last minute plans can work just as well.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Recycled Glass Countertops
It was a very windy, but nice evening for Halloween. We had quite a few kids this year, some years we have close to none. I went for a walk on Main Street in the afternoon and saw a few little ones out trick or treating with their parents. One little baby was dressed as a silver Hershey Kiss, so cute. People were outside their houses putting the finishing touches to their pumpkin displays.
The kids had fun at their parties last night and now we have even more candy.
I decided to do a prime rib roast and baked a squash with maple syrup and brown sugar to go with it. That has to be one of my favourite types of meal. Of course I've been eating the odd Mars and O'Henry bars for the past few days in honour of the season, plus they're sitting in the kitchen.
L and K already have a Christmas party lined up in early December, rolling right along. I do have a few dinner obligations that I should probably start lining up.
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The kids had fun at their parties last night and now we have even more candy.
I decided to do a prime rib roast and baked a squash with maple syrup and brown sugar to go with it. That has to be one of my favourite types of meal. Of course I've been eating the odd Mars and O'Henry bars for the past few days in honour of the season, plus they're sitting in the kitchen.
L and K already have a Christmas party lined up in early December, rolling right along. I do have a few dinner obligations that I should probably start lining up.
News
When Clocks Change, Body May Need Time to Adjust
Halloween Great For Retailers This Year
Recycled glass countertops - 'The latest entry into this category, Elements by Durcon, is creating quite a buzz as it's a "green" countertop surface that also offers unmatched durability, cleanliness and aesthetic qualities.'
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
Time to carve the pumpkin, if you haven't already. L and K both have party plans of their own to celebrate the evening. M and I are chauffeuring and co-ordinating.
Mmm is hosting an online Christmas tea party after U.S. Thanksgiving, if anyone's interested in joining. It should be fun.
Here is a great little TIC-TAC-TOE game for you to try. Just click here.
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Mmm is hosting an online Christmas tea party after U.S. Thanksgiving, if anyone's interested in joining. It should be fun.
Here is a great little TIC-TAC-TOE game for you to try. Just click here.
News
12 Awesome Social Media Halloween Pumpkin
Carvings
Thrifty to trendy: Cashing in the on the eco-cachet of salvaged leather
Study: Cholesterol drugs may improve flu survival
Friday, October 30, 2009
The true meaning of life
L's school recently hosted a fundraising group from Kenya, Africa. They are visiting the city until December. It is headed by a man called Mulley, and consists of a group of young people. They started off with their story. Then they gave a concert of remarkable singing and dancing. L said every one of them could really sing and they danced with a rhythm only the Africans have.
Apparently Mulley, about 65 years old now, grew up in the slums. He begged for work and built himself up from nothing. He became a rich man, with a big house and 8 kids of his own. One day, someone stole his car. He apprehended the youth and was struck by a look in his eye. He described it as a revelation. The boy reminded him of himself all those years ago in the slums. He took him into his house, educated him and gave him a job. Over the years, he adopted 20 more kids from the slums. These were the kids that were at the concert. They called Mulley 'father'. He gave them an education and a future. One of the girls said she was going to be a teacher. They are here to raise money to help others in their country. Mulley ended the rousing concert saying that these kids have added another dimension to his life, beyond making his fortune.
Needless to say, I was moved to tears and we will make a point to attend their fundraising show later this year. Apparently they fell short of their goal last year.
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Apparently Mulley, about 65 years old now, grew up in the slums. He begged for work and built himself up from nothing. He became a rich man, with a big house and 8 kids of his own. One day, someone stole his car. He apprehended the youth and was struck by a look in his eye. He described it as a revelation. The boy reminded him of himself all those years ago in the slums. He took him into his house, educated him and gave him a job. Over the years, he adopted 20 more kids from the slums. These were the kids that were at the concert. They called Mulley 'father'. He gave them an education and a future. One of the girls said she was going to be a teacher. They are here to raise money to help others in their country. Mulley ended the rousing concert saying that these kids have added another dimension to his life, beyond making his fortune.
Needless to say, I was moved to tears and we will make a point to attend their fundraising show later this year. Apparently they fell short of their goal last year.
News
According to mashable.com, this website called 'this is why you're fat' is a recent internet phenomenon.
"This Is It" a fascinating look at work in progress
Bad driver? Blame your genes
Hands-on with the Motorola Droid
Amazon hopes to simplify Web shopping — with words
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