December 25, 2009

Domestic Product

Rub we made


Rub
We're still taking photos of food (an idea that still wows Katie's dad, who now does the same), and at long last we've wrapped up some sewing gifts and such. Probably the main thing missing from these photos is a reference to the smoothie kick we went on, oddly enough, just as the weather turned cold. In short, smoothies are easy and healthy. Please leave any recipe or project questions in the comments.

kabobs


Napkins (lotta)


Placemats w/ chopstix pockets


Crab cakes, etc.


Taco Feast by Chase

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December 23, 2009

A restored faith in mystery (1)


"Go up Skyline Drive," Sean told us, "and if you look back to your right after the first big curve, you can see the castle."

So we did, of course, capturing ourselves the image seen above: the castle atop Afton Mountain, a short jaunt from our home. I took the picture through my dented Rummage Sale binoculars.

But it's not enough that we've got a castle, or that it belongs to the Royal Orchard that sent apples to the Queen of England, or that it has its own driveway bridge across an Interstate (click here, use Street View on I-64 at Royal Orchard Drive), or that it was so awesome that it dictated the route of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.

What's best is that it spawned a ... fan site ... that without any frills pieces together a strange history of the place. As you'll see, the Web site host simply leaves the site up and waits for those with knowledge and rumors and scraps to write in e-mails that get posted verbatim. It's enthralling to hear from these visitors and past deliverymen and whoever else managed to get a peek at the grounds.

A "decedent" recently wrote in as well to confirm much of the information and hoped that the writing "quenched all curiosity about our beloved home."

Au contraire. It just makes me want to look again at images of the place and wonder what might be true.
* Satellite image
* Flickr 1
* Flickr 2 (with great comments building)
* From an architect
* Extremely dry history, courtesy of TNV

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December 3, 2009

Instructions for Homemade Clock:

1. Remove all components from shaft, except the hanger
2. Place rubber cushion over shaft
3. Insert shaft through clock face
4. Slide brass washer over shaft
5. Attach dial mounting hex nut. Do not over tighten
6. Gently press the hour hand onto the shaft
7. Gently screw the minute nut in place
8. Press on second hand
9. Insert a fresh battery and your clock will begin to keep time

...tick...tick...tick...business time...