Lot 16

 Lot 16 belongs to another world. It is a remnant of what this place used to be.

It used to be a place for families. A place to live, grow, play, learn... All of the things once associates with home. Due to certain events around the globe, the children are gone. This is no longer home.

But the signs of children remain.

  

 This is Lot 16. What used to be a place children could safely play, knowing there were no cars, no strangers, just other children, and parents watching out of their windows.

 

Now we (because I'm taking you with me) get to document a playground as it falls into decay.

There's a special kind of melancholy fear that abandoned play structures give off. A sense of wrongness in the world. There should be children, there should be laughter. There should be life.

 

Please, join me over the next few months as I occasionally update these pictures, documenting the layers of cat prints left in the dust.

Watching as Lot 16 follows in the footsteps of Pripyat. 

Lost to time.

The world's worst stegosaurus

I have succeeded in making the world's worst stegosaurus. All others are nice attempts, but no where near this bad.

On the plus side, this will encourage you all to go and try crafts of all types, because your stegosaurus will turn out better than my first attempt at one. I look forward to seeing the flood in the craft stegosaurus market this will undoubtedly cause.

Also, while I'm away, Marcus will have no doubt of my love for him, as he'll be wearing this symbol of my love and affection while he eats.

Matzo Ball Soup

Hello and welcome!

Today we're starting this whole blog experience with matzo ball soup. Why? Matzo ball soup is one of the best comfort foods on Earth, something we all need right now.

Note to my vegetarian/vegan friends: I have not tried to make this in a veggie-friendly way. If you try it, and succeed, please let me know, and I'll gladly add your adjustments to this page (with permission, of course).

 Matzo Balls Soup

Start a pot of stock or broth. I use goose, but chicken or vegetable will work well.
Tie together a sprig of thyme and a few bay leaves, drop into the pot.
Add roughly chopped onions, green pepper, carrots, celery. Veggies of choice, really. To taste.

While this all gets going, make the matzo balls.

I make a half batch, which feeds our extended family for a few days.

Matzo Balls

Full batch:

• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup schmaltz
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 Tb baking powder
• 1 1/3 cup matzo meal

Half batch:

• 2 eggs
• 1/6 cup schmaltz (I eyeball about half of the 1/3 cup measuring cup)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup matzo meal

 Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat until the eggs are frothy

Add the schmaltz

And beat

Beat in the salt, pepper, and baking powder

Gently fold in the matzo meal

Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes or so.

If you're adding meat to your soup, this is a good time to cook it and add it to the stock.

After 30 minutes, remove the matzo from the fridge, and form into small, tight balls.

Add them to the soup, and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

If you have any questions, or need troubleshooting, don't hesitate to reach out to me at pixie20@gmail.com.