I just realized that my cutting table would make a great blocking surface for knitting. I could draw a grid onto the paper, cover it with clear plastic and pin down as needed. Now I just need to get around to knitting something which requires blocking.

What is the difference between Dream Whip and meringue powder? I wonder if Dream Whip would work to make royal icing.

simple recipe for generic pudding pops at erica mulherin

Bob's Psycho-Sparkle Shower Cleaning Method over at spinning-jennie

American Homebody suggests one of my favorites, Geocaching, as an option for getting out of the house. I'm even more fond of Letterboxing, it's more like treasure hunting and no expensive equipment is required.

I have wondered about this too - why does butter in California come in shorter, fatter sticks than most other places? Girlhacker points us here (second question) for an answer of sorts. Do you know?

my mini pencam A few people have asked about the mini pencam I keep going on about. Here are some details:

• I bought the mini pencam which is exactly the same as the pencam mega, just smaller (and released later). I know because I ended up purchasing both and returning the larger one.
• it's about $90, I hear it sometimes goes on sale at Target for around $60
• like squib said, the "macro" focus ring is somewhat of a joke, but it exists on both the mega and the mini
• reviews/pictures: http://www.kungfugrippe.com/pencamreview.php http://pencam.org/pencam/ http://dutchpink.com/random/debs/ http://www.hencio.com/pencam/about_pencam.php http://www.geocities.com/charles_islas/aiptekmega.htm
• I put up some untouched, right-off-the-camera pictures for you to view here, they are rather heavy K-wise, just so you know
• I adore it, but it isn't a great only camera. It doesn't have zoom or a flash, does poorly in low light, and there is not little view screen in the back. It isn't compatible with Macs, and lots of people have had trouble installing the camera manage software (I didn't have any trouble). It eats batteries very quickly, and seems like it could break easily as well. But, it's teeny, about the size of half a pack of cigarettes, lightweight, and cute.

Suzie Q admits she is addicted to lip balm. It seems everybody is. Update on my current favorites: Whole Foods Peppermint Lip Balm, Blixtex Herbal Answer, Better Botanicals Ginger Lip Therapy, and for the sun Paula's Choice SPF 15 Lip Balms. p.s. Don't believe anything at Lip Balm Anonymous, but it is fun!