Datil Harvest Begins, Blueberry Harvest Winds Down, Stoichiometry Heats Up

Emma picked the first blueberries from the backyard patch in very late April and we are still picking.

Based on what is still hanging from the tired branches, I think this 2011 berry harvest will end right around the end of July.

Let me tell you, I have eaten a blue million of them and I prefer them fresh while I pick or almost as fresh from the bowl of just picked berries.

Still, they do taste good in other ways and a blueberry scone is one of my favorite "other ways".

The dough picture above is actually a cinnamon-blueberry scone, since we simply added our berries to a favorite cinnamon scone recipe.

It was almost as good as the ones at Merciers Orchard in Blue Ridge, GA.

Above, you see the finished product, hot out of the oven, and still on the parchment paper.

Listen up ... parchment paper ROCKS!

Who knew you could slap dough on to paper, toss it in a hot oven and not burn down the house?

Well, okay ... Ray Bradbury knew this a long time ago, but he's a genius.

Currently, a trip to the garden brings back a mixed bowl of sweet and heat.

Those are datil peppers of course.

They are next years seed crop and this year's chowder, pilau, kung pao, black beans, chili, and anything else that needs improving with heat and unique flavor.

Bear is not much for spicy food, but he does love a good scone. Here he is begging for a nugget of sconey goodness.

He had his annual check up this week and the vet could not get over what a magnificent, muscular, healthy, handsome, happy specimen he was.

I had to agree of course.

Scones and coffee, blogging when I should be studying, missing posts due to work ... what is the world coming to?

This is the "Summer of Chemistry" for me.

At my new school, I am the entire high school science department (and a third of the middle school).

My course load is:

1. Eighth grade comprehensive science
2. High school biology (2 classes of this)
3. High school environmental science     
4. High school marine science honors     
5. High school chemistry                           

Yes, you counted correctly ... 5 preps.

5 science preps.

I am used to multiple preps (3)coming from a small school, but this school is really small and everybody has multiple preps to the extreme.

Of those preps, chemistry is the totally new one and the most challenging.

Of course there is a teacher test($200!) to take, since it doesn't fall under my other 3 certifications.

I use a lot of chemistry foundational information in my other courses, but the last time I did any stoichiometry problems was ... ohhhh, let's see ... 1977-78.

So, no novel at bedtime for me this summer ... at least not until I pass this test.

I fall asleep with one of many chemistry books on my chest most nights.

I'm even skipping a family trip so I can immerse myself entirely in chemistry equation work while everyone is gone.

So bring on the scones and coffee and pass me my scientific calculator with more buttons and functions than an Apollo era computer.

If you are thinking, "FC, why make this change and put yourself through all this.", just be patient.

There is a method to my madness and in a future post I will share it.