Holiday Treat Cookies

With the potential for RK Treat-lovers to stop by during the Christmas holiday, I decided to cut some cookie shapes...using a tailor-made RK Treat recipe.

The first task was for locating a cookie cutter. I bought a 3 pack because it came with my desired Ginger Bread Man shape plus it was the most economical of those I found at the store. It also came with Pine Tree and Snowflake shapes. I assembled ingredients and kitchen tools.

I decided to reduce the standard batch into thirds. This would produce a thinner treat and thus a dough which the cutters would penetrate. I also decided to add various sprinkle toppings prior to cutting with shapes.

The first batch flopped. It set up in the bowl like concrete before I even stirred in all the RK's. The second batch wasn't any better. It boiled out of the bowl and created a huge mess in the microwave oven. I mixed the treats, spread them in the pan, added the topping, and even cut tree shapes. However the treats were so hard and brittle they resembled dead pine trees.

At that point I realized the marshmallow cook times were too long. I reduced them and started the third batch. The snowflakes turned out lovely. However the shapes were too intricate to allow rapid construction. Also the amount of scrap material was excessive. Originally I thought I would be able to use marshmallow fluff to join half-shapes together.Not likely.

With the learning curve adequately encountered and overcome, I prepared my final batch. Some precautions included:

• Coat cutter edges with no-stick spray
• Modify cutter layout plan
• Enlist help to place buttons on figures

 

Communication Barriers

Words are elements of language.

Written words are elements of language.

Vocabulary is an element of language.

Pictures are elements of communication.

Sometimes we have all the words, languages, and pictures but not the communication.

A large vocabulary is not any better than the lowest level of understanding.

Did you get the point? Let's be clear.

Indestructable Santa Ties

 PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Devise a suitable template of the craft you want to make. Perhaps draw a grid sketch to capture the image you wish to represent.
2. Collect and assemble materials: In this case 28 white beads, 15 red beads, and 2 black beads plus cord would do nicely for the head (although 5 off-white beads could be substituted for the hair).
3. Fabricate work piece.

PROGRESS REPORT #1

Fortunately I can admit my purpose for creating such a monstrosity was so I might participate in an "Ugliest Christmas Sweater" contest this year. The Santa pattern is very cute and probably was made for a completely different intention.

I went shopping and bought a string of garland containing beads in the primary colors I needed. The garland pattern had three full sets recurring in a 13" cycle. Each set contained gold (2 large, 2 medium, 8 small), red (1 large, 2 medium), and clear (2 medium) beads. I determined this would provide a sufficient piece count. I unstrung the strand and sorted out the beads. Then I arranged the beads in the desired pattern and used straightened paper clips to hold the beads. I used a large needle and nylon string to thread the beads.

 

 

After line-stringing the entire collection I doubled back with the segregating strand.

 

PROGRESS REPORT #2

How does it all end? The vast majority of the garland beads will be used to create a magnificent tie! Again the beads are prestaged in patterns with paper clips. The smallest gold beads (shown in dish) might be the answer to filling in the tapers caused by Santa's cap and beard.

PROGRESS REPORT #3

My goal is to get as green as possible with this tie. That means reduce, reuse, and recycle. I want to use as many of the beads as I can and not throw away, break or lose very many.

Some design choices:

• Since the large gold beads had the biggest holes and the variable bead sizes create a 3-D effect, I put the neck string through the third row of beads. This will allow the nylon cord to pass through more easily. 
• Because many ties are pointed at the tip, the Santa image will be positioned there instead of in the middle.

PROGRESS REPORT #4

The small gold beads will be added throughout the tie to give a knobby texture as well as provide intermediate vertical stitching. The excess beads will be strung and added as tassels at the bottom.

PROJECT COMPLETION 

Design changes:

• The small gold beads break easily (when the threaded needle is passed through).
• A Fu Manchu was added to he Santa face for its desired effect.

This was a rewarding project. Although most of the details are under the sweater, they are just clamoring to be revealed. Can you imagine why?

DESIGN IMPROVEMENT: NON-METALLIC CLASP

I poked a hole through a plastic pen cap and threaded one end of the neck cord through it. With the other end I added a loop. Now the tie is ready to wear on any occasion.

FINISHING TOUCHES

It is easier to conduct a repair before it is needed. What is the most likely way this tie would break? I decided to double up the cord. I laced a 2nd string (actually 4 segmented areas) to create the fail-safe. The ends were triple knotted, singed with flame (nylon cord was used), and then pulled into the beads.

THE ENDING

If I am not able to destroy something, why isn't it okay to call it indestructable?

What can you do when things get really rotten? How to fight collateral damage.

No bitching. No moaning. No belly-aching.

Think along these lines:

There once was a horrible injustice committed against a family. Nobody could understand how the travesty occurred. Yet the system prevailed and enforced punishment. The family grieved their losses. The community tried to empathize but there was no precedent to which anyone could relate.

Some time after the execution a worse thing happened. The public was in an uproar. Everyone was affected. "What shall we do?" they cried. The family said "We've survived worse."

The moral is not to look forward to bad times but neither look back blindly and call these times good. When singled out you must learn to find pro's amongst the con's.

Dyslexia, Onomatopoeia, Mnemonics, Ommatophores (DOMO)

How do you handle things you don't see straight, can't pronounce, and won't remember anyway? No problem. Put it on a stick, give it a fancy name and forget about it. When in doubt you can always eat what bugs you.

Side Note: What did the boiling mad crustacean say to the crab? We are doomed!

Meatless Turkey Talk

A neighbor's sister-in-law just delivered a baby. The new parents are vegetarians. How should we convey congratulations this thanksgiving holiday?

 

Here's the plan for a RK Vegetarian Turkey (does anybody wish to make useful suggestions?):

PRELIMINARY (SHOPPING)

1. Pick up RK's, marshmallows, and marshmallow fluff.

2. Pick up whole broasted chicken (will use it as a shape guide).

3. Pick up small bag of candies (will use it to make stuffing).
4. Pick up Temperature Probes.

PHASE I (est. 5-10 minutes)

5. Trim and remove one wing, one thigh, and one leg from the bird and then wrap individually in plastic (use for shape guides).

PHASE II (est. 10-15 minutes)

1. Make a template of the candy bag and candies (wrapped in plastic and coated with no-stick spray) to hold the body shape. Set aside.                           
2. Spread wax paper on working surface and coat with no-stick spray.

3. Cook marshmallows and coat RK's per normal, mixing by hand in large bowl. (Hint: spray spoon and spatula with no-stick).                                         
4. Form the wings, legs, and thighs separately, eventually attaching them onto the carcass (using marshmallow fluff if required).

PHASE III (est. 5-20 minutes)

5. Form the carcass around a "body cavity" using the shape template.

6. Create paper socks for feet. Assemble pieces. Insert temperature probe.
7. Wrap in plastic to hold shape while bird cools and shape sets up.

8. Place completed bird on platter arranged with cranberries.

Good to Go!

Now for the unknowns:

• I photographed and documented the steps of my progress (using tripod to hold camera and attempt to maintain cleanliness). Since there were two temperature probes in the pack I plan to make two birds (Note: update photos too if required). Also bird #2 should be quicker to make tomorrow (learning curve). I will collect elapsed times.
• I followed the routine instructions for one batch of RK Treats: 3 Tbs butter, 6 cups of RK's and 10 oz bag of marshmallows. My intention is that this bird is good enough to eat. The recipe should complete each bird (what's a henway?)
• Instead of spraying a pan with no-stick I sprayed my hands prior to working the shapes. First I  made "stuffing" template. Then I made (6) "limbs" and the carcass. I worked fast enough before the treats set up..I wasn't concerned with adding sprinkles. Perhaps "dusting" with a crushed RK coat is desired (especially if any trimming of completed shapes is required)!
• I didn't use toothpicks (didn't need them) but if so I would poke them into the carcass first and attach limbs second so picks will not be visible.
• Finally I transferred the "small turkey" to the platter with the cranberry ring glued using marshmallow cream. I wrapped the whole thing and will deliver it tonight,

The moral of the instruction is never allow an engineer too much time on his hands over the holidays.

Finale: Turkey #2 is finished. The time estimates were fairly accurate. Unfortunately #2 is not as pretty as #1 was. The no-stick spray was not nearly so invasive, plus it was nice to relinquish the hassle of a camera. I believe the taste and general effect will be pleasant...especially for a surprise gift.

What's next? Have you ever heard of such a thing as a chocolate moose!