Yeah, actually they are. I am a fan of "No Pudge" Fudge Brownie mix, but wanted something a little different to take to a meeting. Wouldn't Fudge Brownie Cookies be fun! So I decided to experiment on said meeting.
1 box No Pudge Brownie Mix (Trader Joe's carries it)
1 egg
1/2 carton vanilla yoghurt
1/2 tsp almond extract (or vanilla)
flour to get cookie dough consistency
semi-sweet chocolate chips (about half a bag)
In mixer bowl, dump brownie mix, egg, yoghurt and extract. Mix on slow until moistened. Add enough flour to get a thicker (cookie-style) batter; fold in chocolate chips.
Drop onto greased (or sprayed) teflon baking sheet. Bake at 325ยบ for about 10 - 12 minutes. Cool on racks and keep covered when cool. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Note: this dough is very sticky. Forewarned you have been.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Rust or TV? TV or Rust?
Today was my day in the Print Shop of the Museum (History Park, San Jose, California). But it was a low attendance day, so I did not ink up the press for printing. I proofed a cut or two trying to decide on my Christmas Card design, and entertained visitors who came in to see the Shop. Always a nice day.
Upon going to my Sunnyvale shop, I decided to work on my new-to-me press after dinner. I scraped rust and dried ink from the ink disk, scrubbed with solvent and steel wool, and whizzed around with a brass brush on the Dremel. The press, an 8x12 Golding Official (tabletop), is now much cleaner. I dug out the oil holes and added oil. Now the press is much easier to use than a comparable Pilot. It is also heavier, with greater impression strength, so I look forward to using it soon.
Rust removal: unless I can soak parts in Evap-O-Rust (a very good rust cleaner), I use steel wool and mineral spirits, or even WD-40. For the ink disk, my ink knife was good, since I could easily scrape the rust from the disk. I followed up with steel wool and WD-40. For the platen and paper bails, I used a Dremel with a soft brass brush. That worked admirably.
I found the oil holes, which were clogged with years of crud. Using a small drill bit, I turned it clockwise to lift out the debri and clear the holes. Then I could put a few drops of oil in each one. The press now opens and closes almost effortlessly. I am extremely happy with this press and can hardly wait to print on it. The trouble is, I have not yet ordered new rollers, so next month is the earliest I could get ink on this new wonder. Stay tuned!
After steel wooling, scraping, solventing, and dremeling, I am going to call it a night. It was Rust... or broadcast TV! I chose Rust.
Upon going to my Sunnyvale shop, I decided to work on my new-to-me press after dinner. I scraped rust and dried ink from the ink disk, scrubbed with solvent and steel wool, and whizzed around with a brass brush on the Dremel. The press, an 8x12 Golding Official (tabletop), is now much cleaner. I dug out the oil holes and added oil. Now the press is much easier to use than a comparable Pilot. It is also heavier, with greater impression strength, so I look forward to using it soon.
Rust removal: unless I can soak parts in Evap-O-Rust (a very good rust cleaner), I use steel wool and mineral spirits, or even WD-40. For the ink disk, my ink knife was good, since I could easily scrape the rust from the disk. I followed up with steel wool and WD-40. For the platen and paper bails, I used a Dremel with a soft brass brush. That worked admirably.
I found the oil holes, which were clogged with years of crud. Using a small drill bit, I turned it clockwise to lift out the debri and clear the holes. Then I could put a few drops of oil in each one. The press now opens and closes almost effortlessly. I am extremely happy with this press and can hardly wait to print on it. The trouble is, I have not yet ordered new rollers, so next month is the earliest I could get ink on this new wonder. Stay tuned!
After steel wooling, scraping, solventing, and dremeling, I am going to call it a night. It was Rust... or broadcast TV! I chose Rust.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Out of the blue
My Bible Study group has been bringing dinner once a month to a group of homeless who meet at a park. One of our church members started the group. It is totally informal, no plan, no agenda but sharing, and utterly cool.
Basicaly, the few of us who bring dinner show up with casseroles or rolls, plates, etc... provide beverages, and some of the others who also go often bring food, too. Everybody lines up and eats together. The only thing "religious" is that someone offers thanks to God before we eat.
It has been really interesting to get to know folks. Some of the same people show up every week, but others sort of drop in and drop out as they are available. Each week is a surprise. Organizers say they never know what kind of food, or what needy people, will show up. And sometimes something great happens. This evening, a pair of young men with instruments arrived, set up in the band shell where we meet, and began playing: a sax and a bass, doing jazz and doing it well. How cool was that! Totally out of the blue, and really pleasant for all.
We try not to stick together as "the group that brought food." We mingle and talk to everyone. Tonight, one guy blessed me with a handwoven rose I admired, which he made from a palm frond. Later, I asked his name and told him I'd like to put it on my Christmas tree. He offered his street name and his "real" name... and I felt the Lord leading me to affirm, "Well, God knows you by your real name, so I'll put that on the rose and pray for you when I see it on the Christmas tree." It was all I could offer in return for a gift freely given. I'm still smiling.
ON OTHER FRONTS:
I'm delighted to be able to report that I cased in _three_ of my so-called spineless wonders (old books) this week. One is complete and the other two are being pressed overnight. My learning curve in book repair is beginning to flatten out. I sewed and bound an antique crochet book (1888); re-sewed a signature-sewn paperback and bound it; and replaced the disintegrating cover on my 1959 Bible with a nice leather one. If I were less busy I could post photos, but I haven't even taken them yet!
Basicaly, the few of us who bring dinner show up with casseroles or rolls, plates, etc... provide beverages, and some of the others who also go often bring food, too. Everybody lines up and eats together. The only thing "religious" is that someone offers thanks to God before we eat.
It has been really interesting to get to know folks. Some of the same people show up every week, but others sort of drop in and drop out as they are available. Each week is a surprise. Organizers say they never know what kind of food, or what needy people, will show up. And sometimes something great happens. This evening, a pair of young men with instruments arrived, set up in the band shell where we meet, and began playing: a sax and a bass, doing jazz and doing it well. How cool was that! Totally out of the blue, and really pleasant for all.
We try not to stick together as "the group that brought food." We mingle and talk to everyone. Tonight, one guy blessed me with a handwoven rose I admired, which he made from a palm frond. Later, I asked his name and told him I'd like to put it on my Christmas tree. He offered his street name and his "real" name... and I felt the Lord leading me to affirm, "Well, God knows you by your real name, so I'll put that on the rose and pray for you when I see it on the Christmas tree." It was all I could offer in return for a gift freely given. I'm still smiling.
ON OTHER FRONTS:
I'm delighted to be able to report that I cased in _three_ of my so-called spineless wonders (old books) this week. One is complete and the other two are being pressed overnight. My learning curve in book repair is beginning to flatten out. I sewed and bound an antique crochet book (1888); re-sewed a signature-sewn paperback and bound it; and replaced the disintegrating cover on my 1959 Bible with a nice leather one. If I were less busy I could post photos, but I haven't even taken them yet!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Dread Green Sox are... dare I say it? DONE!
Yeppers, finished, complete, &c &c. Vested Fuzziness is not. But it's closer. It says here in the plan that my next step is to sew the thing together... minor detail. You have to be able to SEE the stitches to sew into them. And Fuzzy Vest does not like her stitches seen. I faked it up the side seams, and am stumped on the shoulder seams.
The entire thing is quite heavy-- odd for eyelash-type yarn. But remember, it's extra chunky. Right now I am feeling as if this vest will transmogrify me into a whale covered with bluegreen algae. It's really that color. Maybe the royal blue button band and ribbing will save this project. One can only hope.
But Dread Green are no longer UFO's! Now it's the Plain Purple sock project. I know. I said I would not start another sock until Fuzzy Vest was complete. And I DID NOT! But _this_ sock was lying around, looking suspiciously as if it wanted to become a UFO. In self-defense, I didn't give it that choice. UFO it is NOT. So there.
On the printing end of the world, very little accomplished. Unless you count moving out the Ancestral Tool Stash back into the garage. Then moving a type cabinet (taking out cases full of heavy type, piling them on horizontal surface, moving cabinet (grunt, shove), and replacing heavy cases. I figure I got my exercise _that_ day for sure.
Bookbinding last week was fun- I got three books ready to case in. And there they sit. Stalled for now. Later this evening I may do one on general principles. Live a little. Squeeze it in before Antiques Roadshow. Yeah!
BB (best buddy) Dale hasn't logged back on for a week, even to sweet talk her blog. Hope she manages to soon.
L8R!
The entire thing is quite heavy-- odd for eyelash-type yarn. But remember, it's extra chunky. Right now I am feeling as if this vest will transmogrify me into a whale covered with bluegreen algae. It's really that color. Maybe the royal blue button band and ribbing will save this project. One can only hope.
But Dread Green are no longer UFO's! Now it's the Plain Purple sock project. I know. I said I would not start another sock until Fuzzy Vest was complete. And I DID NOT! But _this_ sock was lying around, looking suspiciously as if it wanted to become a UFO. In self-defense, I didn't give it that choice. UFO it is NOT. So there.
On the printing end of the world, very little accomplished. Unless you count moving out the Ancestral Tool Stash back into the garage. Then moving a type cabinet (taking out cases full of heavy type, piling them on horizontal surface, moving cabinet (grunt, shove), and replacing heavy cases. I figure I got my exercise _that_ day for sure.
Bookbinding last week was fun- I got three books ready to case in. And there they sit. Stalled for now. Later this evening I may do one on general principles. Live a little. Squeeze it in before Antiques Roadshow. Yeah!
BB (best buddy) Dale hasn't logged back on for a week, even to sweet talk her blog. Hope she manages to soon.
L8R!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)