People of science and industry

At risk of sounding all Cat in the Hat the rain was pretty intense this past week.  Hardly what one looks for on spring break.  We were  very housebound and cranky.  Freyja got out a little more often than  Maxwell, as she was able to come to work with me Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, where we don rain gear and head out regardless.  Let's just say Thursday and Friday were LOOONG.

Just as I was about to throw in the towel and start construction on an ark in the back yard, the most remarkable rainbow I have ever seen appeared in the  eastern  sky.  I told Rolf "see proof that god will never destroy the world again" which caused him to look at me funny, with his Catholic lack of old testament biblical knowledge.

For our Saturday dinner I decided we should make salad rolls and that Maxwell should help me.  He was hesitant at first, but got into the spirit after a bit of coaxing.  

We had excellent results, and I was good, resisting the urge to rip the ingredients out of his hands to make everything perfect.  Freyja keeps telling me "no one is perfect Mommy." and "practice makes improvement"
Oh the things they teach in school these days!

We also had a grand mushroom, omelet and rice dish, featuring woodear and straw mushrooms

Rolf and his girlfriend were instructed to bring dessert, and it had to be something pretty great, as this dinner was in honor of our dear friend John, who once again was saving our asses by making electrical repairs on our elderly overheard lights.  Knowing an electrical engineer isn't a bad idea either, now that I think of it.  

 

They decided to make "liquid nitrogen ice cream", which only really works if you happen to know a bunch of chemists, who can bring a big flask of liquid nitrogen to a dinner party.  

Rolf with the nitrogen, in the mudroom which isn't very pretty, and not usually photographed.

pouring some into a glass for Freyja's entertainment.

Catherine siring the ice cream

Viola! Raspberry ice cream!

Later, another chemist friend dropped by and Rolf entertained everyone by demonstrating the awesomeness of his latest invention, some kind of vacuum flask that insulates so well that he can hold the nitrogen without burning (freezing) his hands.