begrudging respect for the battery-powered wristwatch

I liked the automatic watch I got from Poshmark because I didn't have to worry about the battery dying or my overwinding it. Then I bought another watch I thought was a wind-up but turned out to run on a battery. I must admit I am finding it rather convenient to reach for a watch and not have to set the time, as I usually needed to do with the automatic watch.

I also had a lost Swatch with a disintegrating strap. I found the Swatch but the battery is dead.

to make caramel: melt sugar, then quickly add salt + rum + cream.

Not butter. Not water.

After it melts, there isn't time to use a candy thermometer. 

I used a small All-Clad sauce pan. Make sure the sugar is under 1/4 the height of the pan, because there will be a dramatic bubbling up when you add rum and then cream to the melted sugar.

To make caramel sauce:

• Melt sugar (~ 1.5 cup) without stirring.* 
• Turn off heat
• Sprinkle in kosher salt (1 Tablespoon?)
• Stir in rum (3 Tablespoons? Really, as much as you might pour in cautious speed ready to stir it in immediately.)
• Stir in light cream (~ 1/2 cup?? I needed to use up the pint.)
• Once you can stir smooth, pour it into a jar.

*Today (5th of January) I learned from Milk Street Radio that stirring during the melting step leads to crystalization. But do have something like a long wooden fork that is good for quickly incorporating ingredients ready for the stirring steps, which are dramatically bubbly and best completed ASAP.

January 2025

• 2nd: Don't buy a crocheted hat for someone who crochets hats. Unless it's so amazing they'll want it to copy or use as an inspiration.
• 7th: Yesterday was the first day this whole year that I didn't play the lute.
• 7th: Got a new PC yesterday. For work. Why do work computers come pre-loaded with the Windows "Feed" of overwhelming stuff that isn't related to work?
• 8th: Diabetes exploded due to soda drinking, but: Are they drinking soda because they can't trust the tap water?

December 2024

Current Events:

• The problem isn't insurance executives. The problem is voters not insisting on National Healthcare.

Business/Product Idea(s)

• A Halloween Advent Calendar

Crochet/Knit advice:

• For fingerless gloves, make the finger end and the wrist end more distinct.

Rich People

• Use Puff's Plus all the time.

Hanukkah lesson:

• Even if you spend 2 hours making latkes and applesauce, you will still need something else for supper.
• Rice with packaged Spinach & Paneer to which we added a can of chick peas went well.
• Bonus: A dollop of plain yogurt goes with both the Indian food and the latkes!

November 2024

Is it better for the environment: 

to buy an electric kettle that breaks and has to be thrown away, or

to use a less-efficient stovetop kettle?

Would anyone who sews want to buy a "raw-hemmed" garment?

Given that the Electoral College and popular vote were not in conflict this past election, would this be a good year to get started on a Constitutional Amendment to replace the Electoral College with the popular vote? (reminder to email my congressman.)

"The Salt Mines of Mars" - Salineras de Maras: Peru's Ancient Salt Pans - IncaRail Blog

Tiny bit of fresh ginger grated onto maple walnut ice cream - not bad.

Who were the pallbearers at Superman's funeral? (Superman's Song)

Yes, you can hand-wash that dry-clean-only dress. If not, you've got plenty of time before the next event to buy a new dress.

In the category of compulsive phone habits

 I keep clicking on the "Play Store" icon though I don't want anything from there. I guess my brain sees the word "Play" and thinks "Fun" so tells me to click it.

I understand why he had to go, but I still miss him

Woke too early this morning. Gave up on trying to go back to sleep. Boiled water. Got out the blue bowl to make Cream of Wheat. (Blue, vs. white, is important for detecting the difference between the Cream of Wheat and the bowl.) 

We buy the store-brand generic cream of wheat when it's available, but when it's not we get the original brand. Generic comes in a bag. Today it was the box, thus the brand-name version. On which I expected to see the black chef in the puffy hat but of course he's gone. 

The Cream of Wheat man and the Quaker Oats man who reminded me of Captain Kangaroo were the companions of my childhood breakfasts. Along with my dad, who cooked the cereal and served it to me.

As an adult, now, I understand the historical reasons why the black chef was problematic--though if he were introduced now, when chefs are idolized, wouldn't he just be a Betty Crocker type of personification of the brand? It seems less trustworthy now that no one is on the box to vouch for it.