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This Book is a Lot of Things
"This Book is a Planetarium" is a lot of things, and a pop up book at that!
"This Book is a Planetarium" includes a cellphone-driven.... planetarium!
Chronicle Books' "This Book is a Planetarium" is a lot of things. In fact, six different things, all wrapped up into one pop up book for children and design-loving adults to enjoy and interact with.
The author, Kelli Anderson, notes that all six demonstrations, carefully crafted of paper, show the work of science, with "Why it Works" sidebars discussing the background of each. The simplest is a two-sided insert with a decoder ring and a perpetual calendar sharing one pop up.
Sounds are the focus of two pop ups, including a "speaker" that amplifies a cellphone's music, and a five string musical instrument. Clever demonstrations and designs, although I'll note that the tension on the strings is a bit too loose to provide a good enough sound to completely pull off the concept. The cone does, in fact, amplify the sound, but it's probably a stretch to call it a "speaker" in any technical sense.
The pop up holds the cellphone at the cone, which amplifies the sound level of the playing music.
I was excited to see the inclusion of the spiralgraph, a paper version of the Spirograph toy many of us loved as kids. Sadly, I found it very difficult to keep the gears in the proper positions while drawing.
The title piece, the planetarium, is the highlight of the book, and works surprisingly well, using the light of a cellphone's "flashlight" app. Impressive design and concept, pulled off. A lot of fun.
"This Book is a Planetarium"
by Kelli Anderson
Chronicle Books
Published 2017
Amazon Link (I am an Amazon affiliate, and would receive a small amount from a purchase using this link.)
Pros:
• Excellent concept and construction
• Attractively designed
• Planetarium is well crafted and fun
Cons:
• Decoder and Calendar are a bit more simplistic than the other items
• Questionable use of "speaker" for the one pop up
• Spiralgraph is challenging to use
• Somewhat lacking a sense of cohesiveness of popups included
Zojirushi SM-SC60HM Mug Review... Hot Coffee!
Coffee fan? Need a hot drink for the cooler weather? Here's my suggestion...
Zojirushi SM-SC60HM
With cooler weather ahead, warm drinks will be welcome.
I am a coffee fan, and a bit of a coffee snob. I'm too good for convenience store coffee! ;)
I'd make my own at work, but I don't have a sink, so clean up is kind of a pain. I decided to get a "pour over" coffee dripper and make it at home before leaving. Easy clean up, and I could use great, local coffee. (Merlin's Coffee, right here in town.)
Problem? I tend to nurse my coffee for about two hours. How to keep it hot long enough?
Found a very positive review for this stainless mug online, and checking Amazon's reviews, it was well thought of.
I can see why. Made my first batch early in the morning over the weekend. 7 ½ hours later I checked the temperature, and it was still at 145º. (In fact, I needed to adjust my water heating point to a lower brewing temperature, or it would be too hot to drink a few hours later!)
I've shaken this thing around and can find no leaks or drips. (I've been called one, but we'll ignore that for now.) The lid snaps tight but is still easy to open without looking during a car ride. And want to carry it without fear of bumping the lid open? There's a sliding lock.
I've had cups and drink contraptions before where moving parts cause difficulty in cleanup, leading to some gross, unreachable areas. Not here. The lid comes apart in to four pieces, and quite easily. Probably ten seconds or less to disassemble.
I can't yet speak to longevity, but if you need a mug/thermos, check out the Zojirushi SM-SC60HM. It's not the cheapest you'll find, but you'll be pleased.
Easily disassembled cap area, easily cleaned and reassembled.
History, Discarded
History was discarded. Or was it?
“People tend to forget that the word ‘history’ contains the word ‘story.'”
- Ken Burns
The main living area of our house had its carpet removed this week, and with good reason.
For more than two decades, my family walked, ate, slept, talked, laughed and played over this carpet. Friends gathered on it, as did family. We met new people and renewed friendships with those we’ve known a long time.
When a previous owner of the house installed the carpet, they no doubt celebrated what it brought to them; it made them feel good. It was a source of pride.
But while it once provided comfort, it no longer supplied the same positive result. Time had altered it. While still essentially the same object, it was now worn, dirty and frayed. It no longer provided pride.
It was pried loose, rolled up and hauled away.
——
The carpet that supported many memories is no longer here, but…
The memories are. I’ll still remember my kids and friends just the same. The meaning of history isn’t in something we can hold or touch, but in the connections, emotions, hopes and fears. History’s importance is in the stories we tell.
Our experiences individually and collectively aren’t erased because the status of an object changes.
But change can impact the usefulness of those same things. While facts may hold permanence, meaning is fluid. What we revere can not only change over time, but it should; as we mature and gain understanding as a community, our ideals must also mature.
History won’t be forgotten. Let’s not let it be our destiny.
A Working Kitchen in the Mansion
Food, food, and more food. Better yet, food in a working kitchen in one of Hanover's landmark buildings.
H.D. Sheppard and C.N. Myers started the Hanover Shoe Company in 1899 after planning to both manufacture and sell their own products via retail stores that their company would run. The first store was opened in 1900 in York, Pennsylvania.
Their families began construction of “twin” neoclassical mansions in 1911, designed by Philadelphia’s Herman Miller. The Athenaeum of Philadelphia holds numerous architectural drawings of the projects.
I was fortunate to photograph the working kitchen of their wonderful restaurant on three occasions during the period between 2009 and 2010 at Hanover's (Pennsylvania) former Sheppard Mansion. A gallery of photographs from these visits is available for viewing. All photographs were shot during typical evening food service, and plated items shown were as-prepared for guests. (Or “in progress’ photographs.) Lighting was limited to the room's lights and one flash unit, mounted on-camera.
Many thanks to the owners and kitchen staff for their indulgence. And here's the gallery!
Manhattan Vegetable Soup
Manhattan Clam Chowder without the clams? Certainly! Manhattan Vegetable Soup has the bold flavors you'll want, with the option of being vegetarian. Free recipe download.
Instagram (visualrealia) photograph of ingredients for Manhattan Vegetable Soup
Cream-based clam chowders have been around since the mid-1700s, with the newer tomato chowders not appearing in print until the 1930s. (Although some argue that early versions were known as Coney Island or Fulton Market chowders, which were available in the 1890s.) While these newer soups typically have "Manhattan" in their titles, they most likely came to fruition via Portuguese immigrants in Rhode Island.
As a fun side note, the New England versus Manhattan debate over which soup reigns supreme can get pretty ugly. In 1939, a Maine legislator introduced a bill to make the addition of tomatoes into chowder an offense!
For a number of years, one of my daughters was following a vegetarian diet. Not wanting to miss out on the wonderful taste of clam chowders, I worked on a clam-free version. Without the clams or clam juice, I needed to make sure other tastes were bold enough so the hungry soup eater would be more than satisfied.
If it's not important to keep the recipe vegetarian in your household, feel free to use a chicken broth instead of the vegetable broth; we have a wonderful neighborhood meat market that offers their own broths, so I'll typically go that route now that we no longer need to avoid meats.
This recipe is very adaptable; adjust to add your favorite or seasonal vegetables.
Download a one page printable pdf of my recipe by clicking here. Enjoy!
Kitchen Recommendations for the Home Cook
As a food and cooking hobbyist, I've run across a few simple kitchen items that I tend to reach for and depend upon. Catch them here.
Food is something I've always enjoyed, and cooking is often the best way to get the food that you want. As I've widened my experience with cooking, I've gradually obtained some kitchen items that are "must-haves" for me, and I tend to reach for these items often. I have no particular expertise other than interest, but perhaps you'll find something in this list that would help you or make a great gift, and I try to take cost and value into consideration. I'll update this article as new items reach the qualifications above.
• Cuisinart ICE-211.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker
I'm an avid fan of homemade ice cream; so much better than commercial or even most of what you'll find at ice cream parlors! Many of the ice cream themed cookbooks give recipes sized for the 1.5 quart ice cream makers that don't need ice or salt, and while I've had and used the larger old fashioned makers, the convenience of the no ice models means you'll most likely use it more often.
I've been using the standard Cuisinart model for quite a few years now, and have given a number as wedding gifts.
Price at publishing: $47.97
• OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer
America's Test Kitchen chose this as one of their suggested slicers, and I've been very pleased with mine, particularly with the value. Slicing vegetables thinly and consistently is quite easy, and thicknesses can range from 1/16th to 1/4th of an inch.
This is quite sharp, so be certain to use the enclosed food holder.
Price at publishing: $39.95
• EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale
As your baking experience grows you'll most likely run into an increasing number of recipes that rely on the accuracy of weight measurement, and a small but reliable scale will become useful. This scale fits the bill and measures in ounces, pounds, grams and kilograms, and easily tares to account for the plate or bowl used to hold the ingredient.
Price at publishing: $19.95
• Ateco 690 Pastry Cloth & Rolling Pin Cover
And speaking of baking, why fight dough moving or sticking as you attempt to work with it? This inexpensive cloth, at 25 x 20 inches, solves the problem for you. Place it on any flat surface and you have a new work area.
Price at publishing: $7.49
Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker with Coffee from Hanover's (PA) Merlin's Coffee
• Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker
After all of those homemade baked goods, you'll want some great home-brewed coffee. Unless you're making it for a bunch of guests, now with a french press for great results.
Price at publishing: $19.99
• Oster 18-Quart Roaster Oven with Buffet Server
With limited kitchen space, having items that serve more than one purpose is a necessity. You'll use this roaster for pork loins, chickens and roasts, but you'll also see how handy it as a three tub buffet server to keep foods warm and safe for guests. Fill the roaster with water a half hour before serving and easily control the food temperature throughout your meal, or keep food out a bit longer safely.
Price at publishing: $51.04
• Lodge Seasoned 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet
The most-used item on our stove and in the oven is the legendary cast iron pan. I have two 12 pans handy and often in use. Versatile and easy to clean.
Price at publishing: $31.89
Norpro Frozen Ice Pop Maker (Previous Model)
• Norpro Frozen Ice Pop Maker
After a great meal comes dessert, and popsicles are a great choice; homemade are even better.
Price at publishing: $9.51
• OXO Good Grips Fish Turner
The ability to get under food and flip it seems so simplistic, yet so few designs do it well. With the delicacy of fish, another twist is thrown in. This turner will work for many dishes you'll make.
Price at publishing: $12.95
• Cutlery
One of the best investments in the kitchen are quality knives, but the costs can seem astonishing. Are there better knifes available if you have the money? Probably, but listed below are the knives I've found to be the best value for the cost, from the large chef's knife to the steak knife at the table.
Victorinox 8 Inch Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife
Price at publishing: $44.95
Amazon Link
Victorinox 125th Anniversary 4 ½ Inch Tomato/Bagel Knife
This knife is currently not available, but appears to be similar to the Victorinox 4 ½ Inch Utility Knife
Price at publishing: $10.49
Amazon Link
Victorinox Cutlery 3-Piece Paring Knife Set
Price at publishing: $18.31
Amazon Link
Misen Chef's Knife
Review by Serious Eats' Kenji Lopez-Alt
Price at publishing: $65.00
Misen Link
Chicago Cutlery 4-Piece Tradition Steak Knife Set
Price at publishing: $21.71
Amazon Link
And my favorite item is...
• StarPack Premium Silicone Spoon/Spatula Spoon
There is a bit of a price range for the items above, but my favorite kitchen item is one of the cheapest. The silicone is stiff enough for serious stirring, yet flexible at the edges to scrape the pot without scratching. Perfect size and weight; this is the first item to buy.
Price at publishing: $7.49
Amazon Link
Hopefully you'll find something here to help in your kitchen or as a gift; I'll update the list as necessary to keep my favorites where you can find them.
As an Amazon Affiliate, purchases from the Amazon links provided will earn this web site a small commission fee, which helps support this web site.