If you can’t access the short here’s a still shot. I’d dropped the can on the front porch rug.
Sparkling Water Pulse and Still
Month: July 2023
Dandelion: Friend or Foe?
Dandelions. It depends if you’re a bee of other pollinator I guess. Some people eat and drink them. They’re nutritious and have been used in many cultures as medicine for healing. Lots of homeowners can’t stand the sight of a dandelion in their yard. They spray weed killer and try to eliminate them from their lawn. Others dig them out. But Dandelion roots “produce a strong taproot that is capable of penetrating the soil to a depth of 10 to 15 feet, but it is most commonly 6 to 18 inches deep” That’s deep.
Here’s an article with seven reason to not kill dandelions.
And another article with ten things you didn’t know about dandelions
From Dandelion Salad, cookies, syrup, wine to Fried Dandelion Roots, Dandelion Vinegar, there are plenty of recipes out there including Dandelion Jelly. I’ve seen a Dandelion Sausage for sale. You can purchase A box of Dandelion leaf and root tea if you don’t want to harvest dandelions yourself.
So whether or not you want to taste them, how do you feel about dandelions?
Chimes of Comfort by Woodstock Chimes
Friday afternoon- I was sitting on the front porch knitting. A Fed Ex truck arrived with an unexpected birthday gift.
What lovely timing. Thank you J.
Now I have Wind Chimes on my front porch like Laura and James’ house. When a breeze blows, the tones are clear and melodious. A donation was made to Hospice Foundation of America when you purchased them from Woodstock Chimes. Reading about the Charitable Chimes made them even more special.
Here’s what they sound like with the tones from Amazing Grace
You Can Checkout a Chair for 21 Days
At the Carnegie Main Library Branch you can checkout a chair, a ukulele, or board games. There are tool libraries and cake pans to be loaned at different county libraries.
When I arrived and asked to have my passport stamped, Christopher asked if I’d like to see something? I said yes. He took me first to the children’s room and opened the door revealing this tiny marble sink.
Then after he thoughtfully inquired could I climb stairs? (there was an elevator, too) he took me to see the dinosaurs in the Museum of Natural History. We walked through the stacks to this window and could see the display in the museum with an aerial view. So cool!
Up again to the 11th floor (this time in the elevator) to see the rooftop views
Thank you Christopher for the special tour of the Main Branch.
Gems in the West End Branch: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
My friend Jen and I used to teach together for six years. She was the librarian and I was the art teacher. We got together last week and she asked if I’d signed up for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Summer Reading Program and if I had gotten a CLP Passport? No, I had not. But I have now. There are nineteen branches from which to get a stamp from, in the Passport. Since Jen had already been to Lawrenceville, West End and the Main Library I decided to catch up with her. Monday she and I will start the adventure together to visit more branches across the city.
This morning I drove to the West End Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
I received a warm welcome from Anastasia at the desk. She offered to give me a tour. All the wood is original and the library opened in 1899.
First item she showed me was the framed Civil Defense Sign.
Then we went down to the basement and she showed me the wooden cabinets painted by Theodore Hamiel in 1959, depicting many well known story book characters. Mr. Hamiel was the library’s custodian.
Librarian Beth went and got an January 20, 1959 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about the paintings.
Other treasures in the library sit atop the shelves. There’s a replica of the Library (Anastasia got me a footstool so I could photograph it) and buildings that were in the West End in the 1970’s.
Some of the buildings represented are nonexistent now. Nick Tutino created all the models in his retirement.
You can read more about Mr. Hamiel and Mr. Tutino in the article link that Anastasia recommended here CLP West End:Structurally Similar, Completely Unique
Kyra is in charge of Children’s Services. There are Preschool StoryTimes and Playtimes for Birth to 5 year olds with toys and games. “Allegedly, the West End Branch is where the FIRST library Storytime took place.” she said.
I really appreciated the personalized tour of the West End Branch and seeing the treasures housed here. I’m checking out a book at each branch when I visit.
There’s free parking in a lot and accessible entrance with elevator to take you up to the main floor.
Next stop- Main Library in Oakland
One Room School in Illinois
I found this photo of my father, standing outside the school where he taught? Looks like there’s a rope to pull a bell. But I don’t know
My father taught all grades in a one room schoolhouse in Illinois and this was BEFORE he went to college.
Wordless Wednesday
I’m Going to Bake a Cake
Reblogged: 1-2-3-4 CAKE RECIPE
HAPPY DAY OR 1-2-3-4 CAKE?
IF YOU’VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE BLOG SINCE THE BEGINNING, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE PHOTOS AND RECIPES.ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I’VE POSTED OUR “GO TO” BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPES.
MY SISTER GOT ME THE ONE SWAN’S DOWN VINTAGE CAKE PAN IN OMAK, WASHINGTON WHEN WERE VISITING OUR BROTHER ONE SUMMER.
I DID MAIL A BIRTHDAY CARD TO MY SISTER. (UNUSUAL FOR ME THAT IT WASN’T BELATED)
IN MY FAMILY, WE’D TRY TO GET IT IN THE OCTAVE,AS MY MOM WOULD CALL IT. ENJOY YOUR DAY!
HAPPY DAY CAKE RECIPE-
For Birthdays it was the 1-2-3-4 Cake recipe or the Happy Day Cake recipe on the back of the Swan’s Down Cake Flour box, frosted with Penuche icing. My mother would put the saucepan into a sink of cold water and then beat it by hand once it cooled. I can hear the ring of the metal loop at the end of the pan’s handle. And as I remember it she added a dash of vanilla extract. My dad would pour milk over a slice and eat it with a spoon. Cake and frosting recipes below photo.
Happy Day Cake
2½ cups sifted cake flour
1½ cups sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
Sift flour with sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir shortening to soften. Add flour mixture, ¾ cup of the milk and vanilla. Mix until all flour is dampened, then beat two minutes at medium speed. Add eggs and remaining ¼ cup milk. Beat one minute longer. Pour into two 9-inch layer pans that have been lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans; remove from pans and cool thoroughly on racks.
This cake also may be baked in three 8-inch layer pans for 25 to 35 minutes, or in a 13- by 9-inch pan for 30 to 35 minutes. Batter may be spooned into 36 medium paper baking cups in muffin pans, filling half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
Penuche Frosting Butter is Key
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, more or less
- hot water, optional
PREPARATION:
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium low and continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar. Beat until thick enough to spread. If too thick, add a little hot water. Frosts top and sides of a 2-layer cake or a 13×9-inch cake.
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Coprinellus Disseminatus on Crombie Street
If it’s not abandoned furniture then it’s fungus that catches my eye. It must be the weather but so many varied species appear. These tiny mushrooms, at the base of a friend’s neighborhood tree, were there in abundance, looking at me as I got out of my car Sunday afternoon.
They are called coprinellus disseminatus or Fairy Bonnets
Silent Sunday
