Sunday morning ramble, now with a missing hour

[ksmith]

Sundays blow by fast enough enough, dammit. Then they go and take another hour away from me. I don’t see the point, I really don’t. It’s like that old story about “Grandma’s Pot Roast.” The recipe was passed down from Grandma to Mom to Daughter, and it began “Cut the ends off a 5-pound roast.” And one day Daughter asked Mom why they needed to cut the ends off the roast, because yes you could use them for stew or whatnot, but it seemed a waste, and Mom didn’t know but was sure that there was some Secret Cook’s Reason that had been lost over time, so they went to Grandma and asked her why she had to cut the ends off the pot roast, and Grandma said, “Because otherwise it wouldn’t fit in my roast pan.”

I may have read somewhere that energy usage actually went goes during DST time because people used less energy for lights, etc. But I would think it might be offset by A/C usage in hotter climates. It just doesn’t seem to make much sense anymore, and the primary justification still seems to be that if we don’t do it, it won’t fit in the roast pan.

§

I need to start tomato seeds in trays this week. I had bought some of the usual varieties from tomatofest.com, one of my online seed places. I was planning on starting them last weekend when a commenter on a blog I visit posted about Seeds from Italy, an online seed store that sells…wait for it…seeds from Italy. Basil. Kale. Onions. Leeks. And hey, tomatoes.

I’ve always wanted to try European tomato varieties because while homegrown tomatoes from US-sourced heirloom seeds are better than storebought, I have still always found their flavor disappointing. I won’t rant anymore about it–and hey you, get off my lawn–but I am looking forward to these giving these new varieties a try. I ordered 5 types of seeds, including Organic San Marzano, the classic sauce tomato, and Italian Basil. I am supposed to use a heating pad to warm the seed tray to 75-85F until germination, which may prove tricky. But otherwise the seeds could take three weeks to sprout, and that’s too long.

§

Cookies. I baked some. I used this recipe, but deviated somewhat. I added pecans and soft candied ginger in addition to the dried cranberries, and left out the white chocolate. Used orange zest and oil instead of lemon. And I added a half-teaspoon of salt. No, the recipe didn’t call for any, but I have found that it does boost flavor overall. Toasted the oatmeal and the pecans.

My verdict? Not as good as Ina Garten’s Raisin Pecan Oatmeal Cookies, even though the ingredients are almost identical. I think I should have stuck with lemon zest/oil instead of orange. It would have imparted a little tart zing that would have offset the sweetness of the cranberries. They’re good enough. Kind of granola bar-like. But next time I will stick with raisins, or maybe give dates a try.

§

Took King to the vet yesterday for his semiannual senior exam. He’s in good shape, fingers crossed. His eyes are cloudy from age, and he’s a few pounds too heavy. But he looks good overall. His teeth are perfect. He’s going to turn 11 at the end of this month, and according to the chart in the examining room, that’s the equivalent of 86 human years for a dog of his size/weight.

It’s hard for me to adjust to King’s getting older. He sleeps more. He will chase Gaby a little, but mostly he stands in one spot and pounces at her as she whizzes by. Sometimes he stands in one spot, even  after I’ve called him, and just stares. It’s not disobedience. He has this look on his face, as if he’s trying to remember something.

It doesn’t happen often. He’s still pretty much on the ball. My Fearless Watch Puppy.  Seems like not so long ago when he was that little coiled spring that used to go after the bag my Dad would use for puppy poop collection and run off with it. I can still see King darting around the backyard, bag in mouth, turds scattering, and my Dad galloping after him, shovel in hand, calling “Get back here, you son-of-a-bitch.”

Memories.

 

Mirrored from Kristine Smith.

Comments

DST

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

I'd just let sunset fall at 9pm year round...give me the light after business hours.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

"the primary justification still seems to be that if we don’t do it, it won’t fit in the roast pan."

I figure, if you follow the money you'll get all sorts of answers. Unfortunately, and as my bank account will attest, I've never been very good at following the money. But those times I've been able to follow the money in a question like this, it always ends up at Somebody's Profiting at Everyone Else's Expense.

[technomage.livejournal.com]

That is a vet precious puppy memory! Made me smile.

Re: DST

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I love those early June late late sunsets. I just want them to pick a time and stick with it. I hate the back and forth and the losing an hour. It takes me weeks to get over losing that hour.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Here's a history of DST. I was right about the energy savings. One monetary advantage, supposedly, is that people are more apt to go out shopping when it's light outside. So, more post-workday daylight is good for shopping.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

It wasn't as bad as it might sound to some. Dad was laughing at least part of the time...although it was frustrated laughter.

Hey, question--did you receive the Russian edition of Code? I sent it a few months ago (finally).

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it doesn't have more to do with the stock market...seems like I heard something about how it benefits the fat cats in the futures markets somehow...something to do with a farmer's work day or something.

I am probably wrong about that but it sure seems like I heard something in that area - would have been in like, 1970, so who knows what musty wrinkle in my brain *that* came from.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Another column which at least partially debunks some of the advantages.

Re: DST

[mithriltabby]

Now that we have GPS and computer networks, we could just hold the time of sunrise or sunset constant in any given metropolitan area and let the computers do all the hard work of keeping track of the differences, but I expect there are still a lot of people who watch live TV, wear non-network-connected wristwatches, and use paper appointment books who would be annoyed at having to upgrade.

Re: DST

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

My sleep schedule is flexible enough that I honestly don't notice the time change in that way.

Nice to have the evening light though!

[technomage.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, I did receive it. Sorry that I didn't reply, you've been on my "to do" list for some time, but life has been hectic.

I hope your re-re-rewrite is going well. ;)

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

No worries. I was concerned that, given the time lag, I had sent it to a former address.

Rewrites are my life.

[nlbarber]

Dried cherries. I just tried the Ina Garten recipe (I kept bookmarking it after you would mention it) and used dried cherries instead of raisins, raisins being decidedly unpopular with the kids next door I rely on to eat most of the calories I bake. I thought the dried cherries were great, and will add in candied ginger next time. And maybe back off the cinnamon a touch--I've got the super strength Penzey's stuff, and it's rather too up front.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Yanno, I debated trying those, but decided to stick with cranberry-orange. But the dried crans I bought were flavored with pomegranate juice. I don't know how much that changed the flavor. but I don't taste them all that much. The predominant flavor is orange. I should have added more ginger.

The flavor improved overnight, as spice/fruit always does.

Ina's recipe was close to this one, but I think the raisins helped put hers over the top. Stronger, deeper flavor. More than just sweet.

Hope the kids like yours!

[nlbarber]

No problem there--younger niece has already made off with a batch. I also showed her where the bag of frozen dough blobs is so she can feed her siblings with warm cookies without my involvement.