2008-07-01

Home at last

The truck and the van have been unloaded (some might think that they exploded all over the house, but still).

I had a wonderful time and will have much more to say later. Now it's bed time.

For those going ga ga over the balsamic pecans....

Here's the recipe:

Whuffles Glazed Balsamic Pecans
1 cup crushed pecans
3 tbsp really good balsamic vinegar (at least Colvita Balsamic)
1 c granulated sugar (Red Mill Fructose if you can find it)

Put pecans in a frying pan and roast on medium for 10 minutes until toasty. Add vinegar and stir until vinegar is boiling. Add sugar and stir until all pecans are coated with sugar crystals. Turn off heat. DO NOT CONTINUE TO COOK. If you keep cooking, the sugar will melt and your glazed pecans will become pecan brittle. Spread pecans on parchment paper or silicone mat to cool. Break up into single pieces once cooled.

yet more pictures from baitcon

heavy on the under 5 set and the taiko, which our particular member of the under 5 set liked a whole lot...

http://picasaweb.google.com/abbe.cohen.dvornik/Baitcon08?authkey=QItPUu8zgkw

Wild at Baitcon

Friday at Baitcon, I deeply regretted not having my camera with me when I saw a fawn bounding through the woods near the tents. Saturday, I vowed to carry my camera with me at all times, even if wearing a fanny pack looked silly.

On Saturday, someone came over to me and said there was a fawn nearby. In the dark forest it took several tries, but I eventually was able to hold the camera steady enough to get this picture (click on it to zoom in).

And then while taking down our tent, a toad hopped into the middle of our site (again click on the picture to zoom in).

You can see a few more of my Baitcon pictures (including drumming and silks) at: http://picasaweb.google.com/deguspice/Baitcon

Post-Baitcon

There are no words adequate to express my (and I'm sure everyone
else's) gratitude to JB, Kimberley, and the BCC for making this
happen. We're at Baitcon only three days a year, but the memories
and friendships we take away are with us every day of our lives.
Thank you.

And a huge round of thanks to Phil and Liz, who gave up so much
of their weekend to give so many people, both large and small,
a taste of the silk experience.

I want to pass along a suggestion from

naiad1: Next year,
it would be wonderful if someone could put together a much smaller
version of the silking apparatus for use by the under-12 set; something
that would require limited adult supervision (and no Liz-and-Phil
supervision). This would take a tremendous burden off Liz and Phil,
and I think the kids would be fine with it. Of course, it *creates* a
burden for whoever builds the thing, but I hope someone steps up
and runs with this idea.

Thanks once more---there are those sadly inadequate words again---to
everyone who planned, contributed, helped, and shared.