#large and medium-sized molds

[therobotmonster]

What does the Comic tell us About the Brute Force Toyline that Never Was?

Brute Force was Marvel's failed attempt at joining in the toy-cartoon-comic fun back in 1990.

What isn't often talked about (if ever) is how much effort Jose Delbo (and whoever else was doing character design work in pre-production) put into planning for the realities of toy design, because it's not hard to suss out what was intended from the art alone.

Parts Reuse Was Planned From the Start:

The metal production molds are the most expensive part of toy production, so any time you can reuse parts across multiple figures is a savings. Each side has two unique members (Hip-Hop and Lionheart for Brute Force, Armory and Ramrod for Heavy Metal) three that share obvious parts with an opposing figure.

Uproar and Wreckless appear to use the same upper arms, upper legs, pelvis and probably chest. Uproar's bullets were likely planned as an accessory.

Surfstreak and Bloodbath appear to just have different heads, maybe tails, and either different accessories and limbs or just different accessories depending on execution.

Soar/Slipstream and Tailgunner appear to have unique add-on armor for the wings, heads, and legs. The wings might also been different, but I'd guess that when time came to mold plastic they'd have used the same ones.

Size Classes are Easy to Guess:

The "charge into battle" shot gives you every indication of what size everyone was going to be sold at. My guess, based on the art and the action features later shown off, is it would break down like this:

Small - Soar, Surfstream, Bloodbath, Tailgunner

Medium - Lionheart, HIp-Hop, Ramrod, Uproar.

Large - Wreckless, Armory, the toxic mutant (if they planned on making the off-theme guys)

Super Large - Heroic and Evil Transports

It's harder to place Heavy Metal since they don't seem to have add-on vehicles, but the art represents Armory as being huge and a major threat...

And uproar seems to have mass equal to Lionheart on his cycle, though he might have been packed in with the villain's large transport or had another add-on vehicle planned later.

It's likely that the vehicle-attached figures would have gotten solo releases, likely with different decos. As was the style at the time.

They Planned for Action Features, and I think I know what they were.

Furman and Delbo knew how to make a toy-comic, and everyone gets to show off their action feature in a toy-comic. Brute Force leaves some solid clues for what those features would have been. Now, there would probably have been launchers (Wreckless's Bearzooka), water-shooters (Surfstream almost certainly had one), etc, but I'm talking more about the showcase feature.

Surfstream and Bloodbath Were Low-Effort Transformers-

-or else they were biting MOTU Dragstor's style. Surfstream and Bloodbath clearly had both swimming/rolling configurations and upright figure configurations.

Soar (and likely Tailgunner) Had Blast-Away Armor

You don't do this trick twice in 4 issues if it's not your gimmick.

Wreckless and Uproar loved Hugs

My guess is there was at least some thought put into the possibility of Wreckless and Uproar having a "bear hug" feature that could work as general limb-swinging and chest pounding. In addition to the grabs Wreckless does a lot of right hooks and, oddly Uproar mainly fights with his mace for a character with bullet bandoleers. This one's harder to nail down because the actions are very obvious for bear/ape characters, but either a weapon-swing or a grab/bear hug seems really likely.

Wreckless's gun is the kind that you could mount on a figure's shoulder without them needing to hold it in-hand, so the arms might have been free for the action feature if my guess is right.

This Octopus Bastard Spins

You can't tell me Armory doesn't spin. perfectly radially symmetrical middle section designed in such a way the central body could spin while the legs and head stay stationary. arms that grip weapons or other figures, he's huge and clearly meant to be Heavy Metal's mega-weapon. He spins.

Hop-To Heroes

Now, if there's one thing the Brute Force characters do, it's leap. But the characters with the larger lock-on vehicle armor all leap out of the vehicle to attack a foe at least once.

I have to wonder if the vehicle figures were intended to be ejected from the vehicle as a leaping attack. (this would seem thematically in line with the armor-shed gimmick from Soar) This would be in addition to some general reconfiguration between low-riding "speed" modes and upright battle modes.

Ramrod would have had a headbutt gimmick.

It's literally all he does in the comic. I don't think he even has a gun.

Conclusions

Brute Force was intended into be a not just an action figure line, but a feature-heavy character driven line. The play patterns imagined were ambitious. I see Starriors, Transformers and Centurions DNA in there, and it would have been a lot more fun than Captain Planet for an eco-themed franchise.

The Marvel crew clearly learned a lot from the toy industry from working with Hasbro, Kenner, Mattel, Mego and numerous others through the years, and it shows. This concept started with toy ideas, it's just a pity no one was incentivized to make them.

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

"Pandora, Worrying About What She Is Doing, Finds a Way into the Valley through the Scrub Oak," from Always Coming Home by Ursula K. Le Guin

Look how messy this wilderness is. Look at this scrub oak, chaparro, the chaparral was named for it and consists of it mixed up with a lot of other things, but look at this shrub of it right here now. The tallest limb or stem is about four feet tall, but most of the stems are only a foot or two. One of them looks as if it had been cut off with a tool, a clean slice across, but who? what for? This shrub isn’t good for anything and this ridge isn’t on the way to anywhere. A lot of smaller branch-ends look broken or bitten off. Maybe deer browse the leafbuds. The little grey branches and twigs grow every which way, many dead and lichened, crossing each other, choking each other out. Digger-pine needles, spiders’ threads, dead bay leaves are stuck in the branches. It’s a mess. It’s littered. It has no overall shape. Most of the stems come up from one area, but not all; there’s no center and no symmetry. A lot of sticks sticking up out of the ground a little ways with leaves on some of them—that describes it fairly well. The leaves themselves show some order, they seem to obey some laws, poorly. They are all different sizes from about a quarter of an inch to an inch long, but each is enough like the others that one could generalise an ideal scrub-oak leaf: a dusty, medium dark-green color, with a slight convex curve to the leaf, which pillows up a bit between the veins that run slanting outward from the central vein; and the edge is irregularly serrated, with a little spine at each apex. These leaves grow irregularly spaced on alternate sides of their twig up to the top, where they crowd into a bunch, a sloppy rosette. Under the litter of dead leaves, its own and others’, and moss and rocks and mold and junk, the shrub must have a more or less shrub-shaped complex of roots, going fairly deep, probably deeper than it stands aboveground, because wet as it is here now in February, it will be bone dry on this ridge in summer.

There are no acorns left from last fall, if this shrub is old enough to have borne them. It probably is. It could be two years old or twenty or who knows? It is an oak, but a scrub oak, a low oak, a no-account oak, and there are at least a hundred very much like it in sight from this rock I am sitting on, and there are hundreds and thousands and hundreds of thousands more on this ridge and the next ridge, but numbers are wrong. They are in error. You don’t count scrub oaks. When you can count them, something has gone wrong. You can count how many in a hundred square yards and multiply, if you’re a botanist, and so make a good estimate, a fair guess, but you cannot count the scrub oaks on this ridge, let alone the ceanothus, buckbrush, or wild lilac, which I have not mentioned, and the other variously messy and humble components of the chaparral. The chaparral is like atoms and the components of atoms: it evades. It is innumerable. It is not accidentally but essentially messy. This shrub is not beautiful, nor even if I were ten feet high on hashish would it be mystical, nor is it nauseating; if a philosopher found it so, that would be his problem, but nothing to do with the scrub oak. This thing is nothing to do with us. This thing is wilderness. The civilized human mind’s relation to it is imprecise, fortuitous, and full of risk. There are no shortcuts. All the analogies run one direction, our direction. There is a hideous little tumor in one branch. The new leaves, this year’s growth, are so large and symmetrical compared with the older leaves that I took them at first for part of another plant, a toyon growing in with the dwarf oak, but a summer’s dry heat no doubt will shrink them down and warp them. Analogies are easy; the live oak, the humble evergreen, can certainly be made into a sermon, just as it can be made into firewood. Read or burnt. Sermo, I read; I read scrub oak. But I don’t, and it isn’t here to be read, or burnt. It is casting a shadow across the page of this notebook in the weak sunshine of three-thirty of a February afternoon in Northern California. When I close the book and go, the shadow will not be on the page, though I have drawn a line around it; only the pencil line will be on the page. The shadow will be then on the dead-leaf-thick messy ground or on the mossy rock my ass is on now, and the shadow will move lawfully and with great majesty as the earth turns.

The mind can imagine that shadow of a few leaves falling in the wilderness; the mind is a wonderful thing. But what about all the shadows of all the other leaves on all the other branches on all the other scrub oaks on all the other ridges of all the wilderness? If you could imagine those for even a moment, what good would it do? Infinite good.

-- Ursula K. Le Guin, Always Coming Home (273-5)

[hairupintheair]

Trolls Cookbook Text

Troll Slaw

Ingredients

-9 Trolls, shredded -2 pounds of green cabbage -1 Teaspoon Caraway seeds -3 cups of mayonnaise -2 tablespoons white vinegar -1 clove garlic, minced -1 teaspoon dijon mustard -2 carrots, grated (1 cup)

Directions

In a large bowl, toss Trolls with 1 tbsp salt. Cover with ice water, refrigerate for 1 hour. This will preserve their color.

Drain the chilled Trolls, then squeeze in a towel to absorb any excess moisture. While simple, this is the most important step. The dressing will coat much better to a dry Troll.

Return to the large bowl. Stir in carrots and toasted caraway seeds. Add dressing and stir well.

Filet of Troll

Ingredients

-1/2 lbs filet of Trolls, trimmed and tied -5 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 tbsp salt -1 tbsp pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 451 degrees F. Place the Trolls on a sheet pan and pat them down. Use your hands to spread the butter over them. If they laugh, don't be alarmed. Trolls are ticklish by nature. Sprinkle the sale and pepper, evenly.

Roast in the oven for exactly 24 minutes. Remove the trolls from the oven, cover them tightly with aluminum foil, and allow them to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Remove the strings and slice the filet of trolls thickly.

Beef Trollganoff

Directions

Slice trolls against the grain into 1 inch strips. Trolls may lose color when you begin slicing. This is normal.

Cook Trolls using same skillet until brown. Heat to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir into Troll mixture. Serve over noodles. Enjoy!

Ingredients

-1 1/2 pounds Troll -8 ounces day-old mushrooms, sliced -2 medium onions, thinly sliced -1/4 cups margarine -1 1/2 cups Troll-flavored broth -1/4 teaspoon salt -1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce -1/2 cup all purpose flour -1 1/2 cups sour cream -3 cups cooked egg noodles

Spicy Tuna Troll

Ingredients -5 cups sushi rice -2 sheets dry seaweed -3 tbsp white sesame seeds -4 lbs sushi-grade Trolls -1 cup mayonnaise -1/4 tbsp of dry chili pepper

Directions

Chop trolls and mix with mayonnaise and chili-pepper. Put a sheet of seaweed on a mat. Spread a portion of rice on top of the sheet. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the sushi rice. Please a portion of troll mixture lengthwise on the rice. Roll the mat, pressing forward to shape the sushi into a cylinder. Firmly press the mat and remove it from the sushi.

Cut the rolls into bite size pieces. Enjoy!

Jellied Cassetroll

Ingredients

-1 box of gelatin mix -12-17 Trolls -16 oz of sour cream -8 oz whipped topping -2 cups boiling water

Directions

Dissolve gelatin mixture in boiling water for 2 minutes. Add Trolls, chopped. Blend mixture with a hand mixer until the Trolls and gelatin have adequately mixed. Place in the fridge for 2-3 hours or until the gelatin mixture sets half way.

Lightly fold in the sour cream and whipped topping. Pour the entire mixture into a mold of your choice. This is where you get creative! Troll Hair molds, Trollstice molds, a mold for every occasion!

Fruity Troll Roll

Directions

Mix all the ingredients except chocolate in a large bowl. Stir thoroughly and place on a foil covered tray. Refrigerate until needed.

Form into two logs, using greased hands. If Troll hair protrudes from log, don't worry. This is great for presentation and adds a bit of color to the dish!

Melt chocolate while logs chill. Once melted, pour over logs. You may notice a few shouts or screams when you begin pouring the chocolate. This lets you know the chocolate is the perfect temperature! Chill the logs in the fridge.

Slice with a serrated knife to serve.

[digitulworld]

DHMIS teachers answers if you asked them the interview questions

Where do you live?

Sketchbook: In the dark, sometimes.

Tony: Midwest.

Shrignold: Far away from you.

Colin: Indoors, outdoors, sideways, vertical, and horizontal.

Spinach Can: Ping-pong galleria with my friend Schmuck.

Steak Guy: In your house!

Lamp: A magic barn.

What do you like to eat?

Sketchbook: I’m on a liquid diet.

Tony: It’s in the attic somewhere.

Shrignold: Something very warm.

Colin: Extra large cereal.

Spinach Can: Cardboard

Steak Guy: I can’t believe you would ask me that.

Lamp: Pink bones, red fibers, and a spinning wheel.

What is your favorite color?

Sketchbook: Green. Is this a trick question? It’s green.

Tony: Tan.

Shrignold: Lots and lots of purple.

Colin: The one with five letters.

Spinach Can: What color is grass?

Steak Guy: Grey horses.

Lamp: You're being too silly right now, you have to stop.

Do you like cows or goats?

Sketchbook: Anything yellow.

Tony: It doesn't matter to me. Nothing matters to me.

Shrignold: A baby sheep, is that like a goat?

Colin: Lizards.

Spinach Can: I made a cow mad once, and then got Cow Mad Syndrome.

Steak Guy: Big ones. Just the big ones.

Lamp: It jumps over the moon!

Do you have brown hair?

Sketchbook: Only on Tuesdays.

Tony: Are you stupid?

Shrignold: Lime green, like my mothers.

Colin: I asked you first!

Spinach Can: You should stop asking me that, I'll give it back later.

Steak Guy: It just gets stuck like this sometimes.

Lamp: Yesterday I saw a dog, but it was an evil dog. Don't ask me how I know.

What is your blood type?

Sketchbook: I had to glue some on myself so they'd stop bothering me.

Tony: Just a big clump.

Shrignold: I don't know, they all look the same.

Colin: I can't remember what it looks like! It’s very shy.

Spinach Can: What the *beep* is blood?

Steak Guy: Blood? Is that what they call it nowadays?

Lamp: Theres worms in me.

What are you allergic to?

Sketchbook: Having a nose.

Tony: It changes every day, and has been for the past 977 days.

Shrignold: Absolutely positively everything.

Colin: Fish paste.

Spinach Can: Eggshells, all of them. They pushed me down the stairs once.

Steak Guy: I don't need one!

Lamp: The Boogeyman. We’re on bad terms.

Whats your favorite idea?

Sketchbook: Anything but this question.

Tony: The giant bird that appears in my dreams sometimes.

Shrignold: My favorite pair of shoes.

Colin: My idea website. It generates ideas, like fun ways to hold a spoon.

Spinach Can: Hammers! Lots of hammers! And a nickel!

Steak Guy: Throwing my keys into a hole.

Lamp: TV shows about Alaska.

What do you find exciting?

Sketchbook: Big balloons, the alphabet, kites, gas planets, carpentry, a sock. The rest is personal.

Tony: Basements with creaky stairs.

Shrignold: Moths in small amounts.

Colin: Every 14th day of the month.

Spinach Can: A really really really small traffic cone, that tells you when you're going to die.

Steak Guy: Mold.

Lamp: Four trampolines.

What happened after the olden days?

Sketchbook: TVs started using colors, and now people are ungrateful.

Tony: I’m not playing your little game.

Shrignold: Everyone got sad, so I had to help them.

Colin: There were three wars, four explosions, and two train crashes, all in 1958.

Spinach Can: The world got mucky and ate dirt and beans.

Steak Guy: A rude mouse flipped the bird at me.

Lamp: They had bigger and bigger dreams, and then everyone got so big, they had to stop eating foods that made them dream big. The moral of this story is that you should wash your hands twice a day.

What are you scared of?

Sketchbook: Medium-sized rodents.

Tony: 7:00pm.

Shrignold: Whatever you're scared of.

Colin: A pound of sand.

Spinach Can: Mud crunching.

Steak Guy: Holes in pudding.

Lamp: The big night sky we’ll all get lost in one day.

What are your hobbies?

Sketchbook: Throwing vegetables at paintings, you should try it one day.

Tony: Watching people blink.

Shrignold: I sew clothes for my friends, but their first question is always, “How do you know my exact measurements? I never told you them.” You just can’t please everyone.

Colin: Data analyzation, accounting, coding, excessive security measurements.

Spinach Can: It’s beach ball related, if you know what I mean.

Steak Guy: Meat hobbies.

Lamp: Finding used cigarettes on the ground and taping them together to make a big cigarette, I call it The Ultimate.

What is your favorite song?

Sketchbook: Banging plastic together, if thats a song.

Tony: The Screaming Album, 1938.

Shrignold: I made all of them up.

Colin: Trapezoid Angles by Super Henry 3

Spinach Can: Four of them and they’re bad.

Steak Guy: Just noises?

Lamp: Mr. Bungle

Where do you go on holiday?

Sketchbook: My imaginary imagination place.

Tony: I just walk around.

Colin: If I leave my house, I die instantly.

Shrignold: Every day is a holiday if you know what you're doing.

Spinach Can: Mister Loopy’s Pizza Restaurant that I keep getting kicked out of.

Steak Guy: Where all the pigs are.

Lamp: Nightmare Land.

Who do you love?

Sketchbook: The letter B

Tony: Boys? Girls?

Shrignold: Please don't.

Colin: My toothpaste bottle cap.

Spinach Can: Cheese thrown against the window.

Steak Guy: Finger soup! Teeth! Orphans!

Lamp: The giraffe I met once, that I went on adventures with.

What is love?

Sketchbook: Anything that smiles.

Tony: Something not very important.

Shrignold: Do you want me to tell you? I’m a little busy.

Colin: One of the twelve main Brain Viruses.

Spinach Can: Endless sink drains.

Steak Guy: A string of hair. A lot of hair.

Lamp: It grows two legs, and then one day it’ll kill you.

What do you dream of?

Sketchbook: Pools and pools of blood tubes.

Tony: It all became a blur to me, I had to stop before I went mad.

Shrignold: So many little squirrels eating me.

Colin: Untied shoelaces.

Spinach Can: Peanuts, but they keep spelling their name wrong.

Steak Guy: Markets that only sell one type of vinegar oil.

Lamp: I can’t dream, I have a condition.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Mask Sale for Canadians!

Get 20% off these Moldex 2200 Series N95 Respirators. One of the most comfortable disposable respirators on the market!

[fleshengine]

I do sort of hate one of my roommates. He's on EBT, but buys a ton of food and then doesn't eat it. I've seen countless loaves of bread mold on our shelves and cartons of milk spoil. He barely ever does the dishes and bought an entire dish set, small medium and large plates, two sizes of bowls, serving dishes, etc, so he spent a ton of money and just fills up the sink even more now. He has an enormous amount of clothes because he's constantly going to thrift stores, and he just leaves the piles in the main area of our apartment. He has a cat and feeds her regularly but almost never cleans the plates that her dry food and wet food sit on so they just get nastier and nastier. The dry food also gets pushed off the back of the plate and builds up into this like mountain of stale kibble, and he just throws it away. He sleeps through all seven of his alarms every morning and doesn't go to class. He's constantly failing his classes and either dropping them or having to beg the profs to let him make stuff up. He hardly ever leaves the house but when he does he puts like two hours of effort into his appearance with fucking hyper-goth clown make up and a perfume so violently vanilla smelling which I can only assume is meant to mask what he smells like after days in his cluttered messy room full of rotting fucking food.

I feel like his lifestyle would be really fun if he had a decent job and wasn't horribly depressed, or did anything to try and change either of those facts.

[mamaito]

[Housamo] Yig Valentine Special Quest

[Yig] "Happy Valentines day, Ito~! You're probably wondering how I know of this event, huh~?"

"Of course I would know of this, this is a festival of [showcasing one's love for the other]! Your school friend's informed me about it and I have thoroughly planned out what's about to happen." "Heheh, you know, you and I are absolutely perfect for one another, don't you think so~? That's what I think. I don't want it to just be me wanting it buut~ it wouldn't hurt to try!" "If there's anything you want, I will get it for you no matter how difficult it may be, this Yig guarantee's to grant your wish~! Ohohoh, go on, tell me!" "…." "Oh? There's nothing that you want granting? That wasn't what you called me out here for?" "There was a rule back then that Oklahoma snake's were to be warded off as a ceremony. Is that what you're doing to this large snake? Has some form of hatred towards me rubbed on you somehow!?" "Are you saying that's not the case? No, but.. No way…! Then.. What were you trying to say..? And what are you giving me here…!?"

The confusion has this Yig's body wriggle at attempting to understand it all that in the midst of it something fell from his breast pocket and unto the floor. It was a medium sized baked sweets but it's coated bedding has scattered about.

[Yig] "This is..! This isn't a present like you think it is…! I was just scavenging food is all and then I happen to have an upset stomach!" "Huh? Are you saying that I wanted to see the look on your face when I hand this to you? Fufuh, I suppose you got me, there's a reason as to why I made these! I wanted to casually mold some sweets but I realized that it's difficult than I thought…" "I am in a school, surrounded by the next generation of children in the home economics class, I just felt that as a father, I needed to work harder!" "You weren't the only one, you know? There are also others that came to mind, friends and those with the same likeness as you but I made sure to never~ mistake them as you-- Ah." "… There's no point in putting on airs, right. The truth is, I already knew from the start that this festival was about giving handmade confectionaries to the one considered as special to you." "And therefore I swallowed up the courage and made something that would convey what you actually meant to me. After that I went up and searched for good ideas on how to communicate your affection to someone, but…" "If you weren't able to conduct the same as [conveying one's love for the other] then there's no reason for me to accept anything out of you--" "This is… No.. No way! You went out of your way to conjure me a gift!?" "Aah, how happy I am! I care not for whatever kind it may be! You were thinking of me all this time, considering what I would like, I--" "… I see, so it's like that, is it. I was certain that I would be the one putting the love into this baked confectionaries I made here." "Forgive me, Ito. To think that you are this skilled in delivering this to me… If it is fine by you, I would still like you to accept mine." "If I were to make comparisons, the taste is rather inferior than I would like to imagine but judging by your tastes, I'd say I was able to make a decent one fitting of your palate." "Aah, my darling Ito. I hope the same could be said next year also, forevermore and always. That you would come and see me again." "Come, the coil inside my belly has grown warmer! Fufufuh, this father shall monopolize your attention and let you experience things reserved only to you."

[END]

[angelkin-food-cake]

Bird's Milk Cake

Chocolate Cake:

2⅔ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

¾ cup dutch cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup boiling water

1 cup canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. instant espresso powder or 2 Tbsp. ground coffee

1¾ cup all purpose flour

4 large egg yolks

2 large eggs

¼ cup sour cream or buttermilk

Custard:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup hot milk

15 egg yolks

1¾ cup butter

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Lightened Custard:

1 cup custard

8 oz. whipped topping or 1 cup whipped heavy cream

Ganache:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Make the custard first. Combine 15 egg yolks and 1 cup sugar in a medium-sized pot and whisk until smooth. Slowly add 1 cup hot milk while continuously whisking. Cook over medium heat, constantly stirring until it begins to thicken and covers the back of the spoon. When you run your finger over the back of the spoon, the custard should not run into wiped space. Add 1 Tbsp. of vanilla extract & stir. Do not overcook or the custard will curdle.

Add the butter to the custard and stir until butter is completely melted and incorporated into the custard. Cover with plastic wrap, touching the custard (to prevent forming of skin) and allow to come to room temperature.

While custard is cooling make the cake. In a cup whisk together 2 eggs, 4 egg yolks & 1/4 cup of sour cream. Set aside.

Make the espresso: If you have espresso powder, combine the espresso powder with the boiling water. Or brew 2 tablespoons of ground-up coffee with 1 cup water. Drain coffee and make sure there's 1 cup of liquid. If there's not, add enough to make 1 cup. Set aside.

Combine 2 3/4 cups sugar, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp salt & 1 tsp baking soda with the espresso boiling water mixture and stir until almost no lumps appear. Cook over medium-high heat, constantly stirring until it comes to a boil. This step will make the darkest chocolate color it can be. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Add the chocolate mixture to the mixer and with beater blades, beat on low speed for 2-3 minutes to remove additional heat from the mixture. Add 1 cup oil & 2 tsp vanilla extract and beat until combined and smooth. Add 1 3/4 cups flour and beat again until smooth. Add the egg mixture and beat until just until combined.

Pour batter into two 9 inch round cake molds lined with parchment paper & sprayed with non-stick spray, or if you do not have the non-stick spray, butter the pan, add 1 Tbsp. flour then shake around to cover the pan, shake out the excess.

Put on wet cake strips around the pan.

Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If using an 8-inch cake mold, add 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

Once baked, remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Then, run a knife around the inside of the cake mold and unmold the cake by turning it over onto a cooling rack. Remove parchment paper and allow to cool completely. Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers with a long serrated knife.

To assemble, line edges of the serving platter with 4 strips of foil for each cleanup. The pieces must be wide enough to go about 1/2 inch under the cake and cover the edges of the platter.

Take away about 1.5 cups of cream before you start to layer the cake with the remainder of it.

Place the first cake layer into the middle of the platter and tighten the adjustable cake ring around the cake. Add a couple tablespoons of the cream and spread it around.

Put the second cake layer on top, press it in, then alternate cream and cake until both are used up. You want your last layer to be the cake. Refrigerate the cake overnight.

The next day, combine the reserved 1 cups of custard with 8 oz of whipped topping or 1 cup of whipped heavy cream. Carefully fold both together until just combined.

Cover the outside of the cake in this cream in a thin layer, smoothing the top and sides. Refrigerate the cake for 15 minutes.

Fit a pastry bag with a french star tip. Fill it with leftover lightened custard. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the ganache by melting chocolate by pouring hot whipping cream over and stirring continuously. Pour the ganache over the cake carefully brining some of it close to the edges, allowing for it to drizzle down the sides.

Pipe stars all around the top of the cake going in rings starting from the edges and working towards the middle. Drizzle some ganache on top of the stars.

[lunamauvetalks]

How to Set Up a Forest Terrarium

Materials Needed:

Small plants or plants that will fit your container

Choose plants that prefer high humidity and medium to low light requirements

Options include: Aquamarine Pilea glauca, Baby Tears Pilea depressa, Norfolk Pilea involucrata, Moon Valley Pilea mollis, Golden Club Moss Selaginella kraussiana, Nerve Plant Fittonia albivenis, Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachya, and many more

Glass container with lid

Consider what plants you’ll want to add to your terrarium and their mature size in relation to the size of your container

Options include: candy jars, mason jars, fish tanks, vases, bottles, and more

Spoon or small shovel

Sterile potting soil

Small pebbles or medium-sized rocks

Activated charcoal meant for gardening

Sheet moss

Spray bottle of water with a misting function

Dish soap or hydrogen peroxide

Pruning shears

Instructions:

1. Clean the glass container with dish soap and/or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. Rinse well and allow the container to dry prior to next steps.

2. Fill the bottom of the container with an inch of pebbles to create a drainage layer. Level out the pebbles with your fingers or a spoon.

3. Sprinkle activated charcoal over the pebbles until the pebbles are just covered. Spread the charcoal to create an even layer using your fingers or a spoon. This creates an anti-fungal layer.

4. Place sheet moss over the activated charcoal. Use only one layer of the sheet moss to create separation from the drainage and the eventual soil.

5. A large enough portion of sheet moss may be cut to the size of the container using sterilized pruning shears.

6. Sheet moss can easily be torn apart piece by piece to customize the fit as you go.

7. Add at least two inches of sterilized potting soil on top of the sheet moss in the container or enough to cover the roots of your chosen plant. Level out with a spoon or your fingers.

8. Prepare the plants to be planted in the glass container. Remove them from their nursery pot and gently shake or rub off excess dirt.

Optional: Trim the roots with pruning shears to slow growth.

9. Using a spoon or your fingers, create holes in the soil large enough for each plant’s root ball. Leave space in between plots for growth.

As a general rule of thumb, taller plants are in the center or towards the back of where the terrarium will be displayed.

10. Place the prepared plants in their holes and gently pat dirt around and on top of the roots. Do not cover any stems or leaves.

11. Lightly mist the terrarium with water.

12. Add lid to the glass container,

13. Place the terrarium somewhere it will receive moderate light, preferably indirect, filtered sunlight.

14. Enjoy :)

Maintenance

If there is condensation on the inside of the glass container, take the lid off until the condensation evaporates.

Mold? Sorry bud start over or enjoy your mold friends idk. Reduce watering next time.

If the plants are droopy and the soil looks crumbly, do another light misting and keep the lid on for a while.

Brown plants that aren’t supposed to be brown? Overwatering. Those guys are dead but you don’t have to start over completely (unless you also have mold friends).

[cooking-thru-shortstack]

Savory Sweet Potato Soufflés - 5 Stars

Vegetarian

It doesn't matter if you've never had a soufflé, or even seen one in person -- the one universal thing that everyone knows about soufflés is that they are impossible to make. It's very intimidating to even think of making one, as they seem (from what you pick up from early 90's sitcoms) designed to collapse and make a failure of you.

This is the first soufflé I've ever made, and it went off without a hitch! It wasn't even that difficult to do, just very involved.

Granted, this recipe is for one large one or 6 small ramekin-sized ones, as seen above (and I only made a half recipe, as I don't have 5 roommates on hand), but they were so big in flavor. They're slightly deflating here, but they had that great soufflé rise fresh out of the oven. Even Boyfriend finished his with great enthusiasm, despite him assuming he'd only try a bite out of politeness.

I've never had a sweet soufflé, but this is an impressive thing to pull off if I do say so about myself. Don't be afraid to try it, the flavors and the bragging rights are worth it!

Ingredients:

1 cup roasted sweet potato flesh

4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided

1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino-Romano cheese (about 1.25 oz), divided [Don't be turned off by the funk of this sheep cheese, it's essential for the flavor]

1 cup finely chopped onion [I used a red onion for this]

1 garlic clove, finely chopped [per usual, I did 4x the amount of garlic]

1 1/2 tsp finely chopped oregano leaves

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup whole milk

1 cup grated Gruyére cheese (about 2 1/2 oz)

4 large eggs, separated into whites and yolks

Preheat the oven to 350˚ with the uppermost rack in the middle position.

Pass the flesh through a food mill or potato ricer into a very large bowl.

Use 2 tbsp of butter to grease the inside of 6 individual six-ounce soufflé molds or one 2-quart soufflé dish. Add 1/4 cup of the Pecorino to the dish (or divid among the molds), turning them (or it) in your hands to evenly coat the inside(s) with cheese.

In a large saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and oregano and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in the flour and 1/2 tsp of pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour begins to takes on a light-golden color and smells nutty, about 2 minutes. Add the milk and 1/2 tsp of salt and bring to a simmer, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to release the flour, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the Gruyére until melted. Add the mashed sweet potatoes and stir until combined. Whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time, until well incorporated.

In a large bowl, add the egg whites and a generous pinch of salt. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites until they hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes. Use a spatula to gently fold a quarter of the whipped egg whites into the sweet potato mixture. Repeat with the remaining whipped egg whites, adding a quarter at at time. Don't overmix.

Divide the mixture into a soufflé mods or dish, filing them about three-quartes full. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Pecorino and a few grinds of black pepper over the top. Use a damp towel to wipe any stray soufflé base from the rim of the mold (to allow it to rise evenly).

Bake the soufflé(s) until golden brown and puffy and the top beings to crack in sections, about 35 minutes for individual soufflés and about 45 minutes for one large soufflé. Serve immediately.

[countrychic4552]

How to make Vegan Butter from Nora Cooks

1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1 cup melted refined coconut oil *make sure to use REFINED, unrefined will taste like coconut

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup canola oil *OR light tasting olive oil, avocado oil or other neutral flavored oil

1/4 cup coconut cream *may omit, but it helps make the butter gloriously soft

tiny pinch turmeric, optional for color

Instructions

Get out a medium sized bowl. Add the soy milk and apple cider vinegar, stir and let sit for 5 minutes until it curdles.

While the milk/vinegar curdles, melt the coconut oil in the microwave (or stovetop) until warm, but not too hot. I microwave it in a glass measuring cup, so I can make sure I have exactly 1 cup of melted coconut oil.

To the bowl with the milk/vinegar mixture, add the melted coconut oil, salt, canola oil, coconut cream and optional tiny pinch of turmeric. Whisk well until smooth and pale in color. This will take less than 5 minutes. You could also place everything in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Pour the mixture into glass containers or butter molds. If you use 1 large container, the butter will take longer to harden in the refrigerator, small molds will be ready faster. Place in the refrigerator for an hour or two to set.

For whipped vegan butter

This is so delicious, but just a little more work. After you have whisked the butter mixture well, place the bowl in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so it slightly hardens. Remove it from the refrigerator and, with a hand mixer, mix and whip until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add to glass storage containers and place back in the refrigerator to harden.

How to store vegan butter

Vegan butter will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. To use for baking, slightly soften it by leaving out at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also microwave it for 15 seconds, but some may melt that way which is not ideal.

It freezes very well, too! Simply let it thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Notes

It is fine to use another unsweetened non-dairy milk, but I like soy the best here. Almond, coconut, perhaps even oat milk will work okay though. Just make absolutely sure it is unflavored and unsweetened, with no sugar added.

If you don't have apple cider vinegar or can't eat it, you can substitute lemon juice or white vinegar.

There is no substitute for REFINED COCONUT OIL, it is what makes the butter. Unrefined coconut oil will make your butter taste too much like coconut.

I really like the coconut cream in the butter. It doesn't make it taste like coconut, but it adds a creaminess and softness. You can skim the top of a can of full fat coconut milk to get only the cream, or use a can of coconut cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 12 tbs serving | Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

[some-therian-wreck]

I have some old apples that must be cooked up before they mold, so I made up a recipe for apple biscuit cake!

Apple Biscuit Cake

Filling:

5 apples (mine were about the size of my fist)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.5 teaspoon starch

Water (I used about 1 cup, but that depends on your fruit)

Instructions:

Peel and core the apples, then slice into thin pieces before setting aside. In a pot large enough to hold the apples (with 4-5 cm above to allow for stirring and bubbling!) combine the sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, starch, and water. Add the apples and stir them together until coated. Then place on medium heat and simmer until the apples are soft and the starch has activated (it'll make things sticky). Let cool.

Batter:

1 cup gluten free flour (or All Purpose flour)

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

5 tablespoons butter (or vegan alternative), melted

3/4 cup oat milk (or dairy, nut, or seed milk)

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients into a thick batter. Then, in a pan deep enough to hold the apple mixture and batter, pour the apple mixture into a thick layer. After that, pour the batter on top and poke around so the batter will permeate the filling.

Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 30-60 minutes or until browned on top and a toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay, but no batter)

[thelightningthatjumpsbetween]

Chapter Three

RE8 | Wintersberg | Romance, Slow Burn | Action, Sci-Fi

Sequel of Winters and the Beast, a Resident Evil: Village Story

Table Of Contents

“Are you sure you want to go alone?” 

“Hey, I’ve got this.  It’s important to make sure we know before this meeting, right? And it’ll only take a minute..  I know how hard it is for you to see her like that..heh…or at all.” 

“I will be here if you need anything, simply call.” 

—---------

Ethan was standing barefoot in one of the many blooming, cliffside gardens of the Heisenberg estate when Eva’s voice faded.  He closed his eyes and passed through the liminal space, which he now understood was simply a gateway to the real layers of the Mutamycete’s realms.  

Passing that one thin layer that almost-touched reality meant that he disappeared from where he stood in the garden.  Physically, he was now completely within the mold network.  

It was a way to travel that he’d gotten more comfortable with in the last few months, if comfortable was the right word.  Thanks to Eva, he was beginning to understand the network he was unwillingly a part of.  

This–moving, it felt like flipping through pages of a book.  Ethan spoke to the ever-present yet startlingly shy choir of whispers that moved around him.  

Take me to Miranda’s garden.  

The first time he went there, it had been involuntary, nearly a disaster, and Miranda had a hand in his partial appearance.  Now that he chose to travel within this world, he could be safer about it.  Sort of.  

The “garden” was not a real place–it had no counterpart in the outside world–rather, it was one of Miranda’s created spaces.  It was a deep lake where hundreds, if not thousands, of bodies floated under a mass of liquid that he wasn’t entirely sure was water.  Sometimes it changed to black, and sometimes a bloody, disgustingly deep red.  He saw it in his nightmares.  

Instead of manifesting under the water, face to face with scores of decaying bodies, Ethan found himself on the rocky shore of the lake.  Large stones made a border around the dark water, where gentle waves created lapping sounds.  

Willing himself invisible was something he had no problem learning, much to Eva’s delight.  In an instant he looked down, seeing the golden shimmer that dissipated like sparks around him.  He could not see his own body.  Ethan paced along the water’s edge.  

He chose this spot simply because Miranda seemed to spend more time here lately.  Eva guessed it was to help phase out of ‘memory’ mode, where Miranda had been reliving nearly a decade of her own life with her daughter on a dreamy, ever-repeating loop.  Moving into her own created space where she could focus on her “power” meant that she was more interested in that, than her daughter’s life and memory.  

To no one’s surprise, really.  

The “garden” was something Miranda had created after she touched the mold in the cave, but not much else was known about it.  She could quickly sense Eva in these places she’d made, but so far, she had not sensed Ethan.  This would be his third time in this miserable place, and he hoped, one of his last.  He needed the connection with Miranda’s consciousness to “jump” to the next memory he wanted to see.  To see if his, and Eva’s, hunch was correct.  

But where was Miranda, dammit?  Ethan strode farther out toward the beckoning, murky waterside, his eyes tracing the line of the water’s horizon across the foggy shores.  

It felt like a terrible spot to be, void of any other landmarks save the faux-treeline, faded mountain backdrop and the fog itself.  The lake was medium sized, but endlessly deep.  Still, on the surface, she had nowhere to hide.  There was only water, and several rock formations nearby, away from the shore.  

He would have to swim to get to them, and he had absolutely zero interest in doing so.  On his first venture here Miranda had sat on those stones, and once, seemingly prayed, or spoke to something that Ethan could not see.  

As the midnight moon rises on black wings….

Something bubbled, moved.  He froze, watching the water, and then nearly ran back toward the tree cover when Miranda’s head emerged from the water.  She shook her head as her body rose, moving directly upward.

At first he thought she was floating upward, but he realized as his stomach turned, that tendrils of mycelium were wrapped around her bare legs, pushing her upward from below, and now drifting toward the rocky island.   

She held something in each hand, and blackish-maroon water cascaded down, dripping off her pale form as she gracefully stepped onto a flat stone.  Miranda was only forty or fifty feet away.  She had been in the midst of transforming, he realized as he stumbled backwards subconsciously.  The long blackened claws were now fading into feminine hands, her almost spidery body shrinking to the petite form he was familiar with.  She hummed in approval of this and stroked her cheek with one hand, still holding whatever she’d fetched from the murky water.  

She was naked.  Remembering what lay at the bottom of this lake, Ethan truly thought he might be sick, but he forced himself to watch as she spun on her toes, facing the area she’d just emerged from and raising one of the items in her hand over her head in a triumphant gesture. 

It was a heart, he saw with a sinking feeling, and Ethan took respite in the tree trunk he was now backed up to, sagging against the rough bark as though the pine needed to hold him upright.  Not only was Miranda wringing the heart’s blood over her head as she’d done with Ethan, but she now spoke something else unintelligible–Romanian, he could tell–and then after her remark, she sank her teeth into the muscle.  

It squelched, and he grimaced.  Ethan didn’t need to see more, he remembered.  She was here, and that was what he needed.  

With an exhale, he tried very hard to focus on literally anything other than the image of naked Miranda eating a heart, and he mentally spoke the request linked to the woman’s consciousness.  

Show me her memories–where she put the crystals of the people below the water.  

The only reason that Eva had known the purpose of this macabre ‘garden’ was thanks to Miranda’s notes, which on this topic had all but vanished over the years.  It seemed it was one of her first ‘tasks’ after being infected with the mold.  Rendering souls inside the mutamycete unable to move or communicate by drowning them, and then somehow transferring whatever was left of them into a crystal.  

As Heisenberg explained it, it was not a death.  It was worse; she was creating a network of batteries.  Souls to be utilized as power.  Her power.  These “bodies” were suspended, frozen in a state where only Miranda had access to their energy, while the essence of their humanity–a nuisance that was not needed–was split into a crystal and discarded. 

In addition to the mass murder of the village that happened just before Ethan’s arrival, it seemed Miranda had orchestrated a reign of terror on the Mold’s consciousness as well.  It was likely one reason that the voices were so timid around her, as well as a reason that Eva hadn’t met a plethora of other people catalogued by the Mold in her time there.  

The sound of Miranda’s almost sensual eating of the heart paused and she looked in Ethan’s direction, one eyebrow quirking as though she sensed him.  

“Who disturbs me?” she asked sharply, and Ethan raised his eyebrows.  Anytime now, voices. 

The scene began to shimmer and he knew he would soon leave this stratum, as the edges of his vision darkened.  

Miranda couldn’t see him, but she was powerful enough to sense him, and likely the moving, responsive network of the mold as well.  

She called a name that Ethan didn’t recognize.  Jochen?

Just as the scene darkened and Ethan felt the earth tip away from him, she called another name, and that one he did recognize.  

“Mia?” 

—---------

Ethan found his feet easily, and stepped into a trail in a moonlit forest.  He shivered and heard his heart suddenly, thudding loudly in his chest.  It was perhaps due to almost being seen by a naked, blood-soaked heart-eating crazy bitch, but also to the name she’d said.  Why would Mia be there? 

Ethan nearly fell over a rock when he realized he was walking behind a blond woman.  So close that he could reach out and touch her.  Despite his original inkling that it was Eva, he realized moments after that this woman was definitely not Eva.  

She walked with purpose, and an almost hedonistic feminine gait.  She was clad in simple black, but even from the back Ethan could see that it was far more revealing than her “Human” clothing choices.  

And she smelled coppery.  Like blood.  

Miranda. 

This was her memory–he was in no danger here, at least not immediately.  The mutamycete was simply pulling information from history: in this case, from Miranda directly.  The same way it replayed all of the moments from his own life after his body was re-absorbed.  

Eva postulated that the Mold tried to replay scenes to better store them, especially ones that it “liked”, but he didn’t know anything about that.  The whole idea was creepy.  As if the mold watched lives, and had thoughts about what it saw.  

He began to walk in step with her.  If he’d known Romanian, Ethan might try to speak to the woman, but he only knew grocery store words, how to order beer, and the occasional curse.  But from this angle he could see into whatever she was carrying–a basket, full of –oh, fuck, disgusting-dead crows, and among them, a bed of jagged crystals.  

So that was how she got rid of the humans, he realized with fresh horror–the parts of them that weren’t useful in her energy network, her “garden”, were bonded with….other physical beings.  In this case, it appeared, birds.  That would explain the sacrifices.  

The crystals were all coated in blood, and her hands were bloody.  

Miranda was nearly skipping along the dark path, and Ethan noted that she seemed drunk.  His long legs slowed until he was behind her again.   To see less was somehow easier.  

The only good thing about this situation was that he did recognize where he was walking.  He and Eva had made this hike a month ago when they first started unraveling Miranda’s plans, trying to get one step ahead.   

On the mountain range that kept the village isolated was Lacul Vrăjitoarelor, or, “Witch’s Lake.”  (“Of fucking course that’s its name,” Ethan had spat venomously at the map, which caused Karl to chuckle, and Eva’s eyes to widen at his sour disposition.) 

It was not too far of a walk from the village, but Karl had confirmed it was out of the Mutamycete’s reach–the mold did not seem to grow anywhere around it.  He had raised a magnetic field around the area, while Eva tried to locate any trace of the mold, but none existed.  It was likely past the ‘border’ of the mycelium.  

And here was Miranda, with her basket full of bloody crystals.  

If their guesses were correct, she was isolating harvested souls to a ghoulish, swampy lake where they could never be recovered or reunited by way of the Megamycete.  

The ecstatic woman approached the water’s edge and dipped her feet in, spinning as if dancing in the shallow water.  Ethan paused with his hands in his pockets, the look of disgust clear when she paused in her spin, staring at him in shock.  

“Alătură-te mie?”

He actually understood that one, but Ethan shook his head slowly.  This was the first time she’d seen him, spoken to him in a memory.  And if history were anything to go by, the real Miranda could rejoin this ‘memory’ anytime she wanted, as if alerted by her former self of his presence.  

“Oh, you speak English,” she said in a heavy accent, and the wide smile that broke across her face was nothing but uncanny.  She wore dark makeup and her cleavage was…well, it was there, and then some.  Ethan’s eyes widened at her remark.  How was she able to know English if this was a memory? 

She pressed him.  “Don’t I…know you?”

“No,” he said very quickly, and dipped his head toward the basket.  “What are you going to do with those?”

“These….sinners?”  Her smile was still strong.  She was acting…seductive?  Was she flirting with him?  She gazed toward him with heavy lids and the smile morphed into a grin, then she bit her lip.  “Come in with me and see.” 

“Isn’t it bad enough that you ripped people away from their bodies,” he countered with a gesture.  “Without the insult of taking them away from the network that preserved them?”

“I do know you,” she said in that same heavy, sultry voice that suited her so poorly.  Miranda tossed the basket aside, discarding its macabre contents into the stillwater without a single thought.  “We were…together.” 

“Nope,” he said even more quickly.  Well, dammit.  If she was going to do anything different before she’d seen him, his chance was gone.  “Wrong guy.”  

Home, he begged internally.  Home, now.  

The ground began to wobble, but she stepped out of the water, unbuttoning her bodice thoughtfully as she began to circle Ethan.  His cheeks turned red as he reached up toward the necklace.  The compass.  Ethan gripped it so hard he thought it might shatter.  

Home?

She is keeping you there, came the fairy voice, in a hurried whisper.  Not the mold.  Eva.  

Wait there, I will get Karl.  

His heart doubled in speed.  

“Why are you holding me here?” Ethan said bluntly.  “I don’t want–”

“I am?” Miranda looked genuinely befuddled, and even stopped with the undressing.  “How curious.” 

So, memory-Miranda wasn’t doing it.  It was probably “Just had two hearts for brunch” Miranda who was preventing him from leaving.  Great.  All she had to do now was find him, traipsing along on her memory stratum, and interrogating her about her shitty soul-battery program.  

Ethan felt a pulling sensation.  In his feet, fingertips.  A magnetic field.  

“But we were together.  I was….someone, for you.  I shifted.  I remember it.”

“N-nope,” Ethan said as he struggled to stand upright, hand still clenched over the compass.  “Wrong guy, I told you.” 

“You were exquisite,” she said as if remembering the tastiest dessert of her entire life.  Just as Ethan cringed, he felt the pulling sensation turn into vertigo, and the scene, including Miranda, fell away into blackness.  Just as he was pulled, another memory entered his mind–blending with Miranda’s, likely.  

But it wasn’t the memory of her masquerading as Heisenberg.  

It was an intimate encounter between him and Mia.  The last night they were together before…Before Chris….

That flickering feeling overtook him.  Like flipping through pages of a book. 

Ethan again landed on his bare feet, stumbling, and felt a strong hand on his back.  His shirt was bunched up, and Ethan realized Karl was holding him by the scruff of his neck as if he were a dog.  When Winters abruptly righted himself, he turned and caught the bewildered, wide-eyed gaze of Heisenberg.  It immediately turned into a scowl, in which the engineer began gruffly,  “Just what in the hell–”

“It was my fault,” Eva interrupted, but Ethan stopped her. 

“It was not,” he began, but Karl was already arguing again.  

Ethan sighed and blinked in the early morning sun while Heisenberg ranted, “--supposed to just, wait for the next dumbass thing for you to get yourself into, like a goddamn cat in a roomful of rockin’ chairs, I swear to fuckin’--”

“Shall we eat breakfast?” Eva asked in a withering, motherly tone, and Ethan cringed at the memory of the squelching heart.  He knew he was probably a light shade of green.  Without waiting for either of them, he shrugged away from Karl’s grip and headed toward the dining room.  

[cneasteel]

Vacuum Forming Is a Game Changer in Manufacturing

Innovation in the manufacturing sector is what propels cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and efficiency. Vacuum forming is one such cutting-edge method that has completely changed the way goods are created and manufactured. Due to its many benefits, vacuum forming technique has become more and more common in a variety of sectors.

Production at a Low Cost

The affordability of vacuum forming is one of its main benefits. Vacuum forming uses less expensive machinery and tools than conventional production techniques like die casting or injection molding. Because of this, vacuum forming is a desirable alternative for small- to medium-sized production runs, allowing companies to save costs without sacrificing quality.

Quick Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is made possible by Vacuum Forming China, which enables engineers and designers to test and iterate product concepts fast. It is possible to build several prototypes at a reasonable cost because to the short lead times and inexpensive tooling costs. This quickens the process of developing new products, allowing companies to launch new concepts more quickly and adapt quickly to the needs of their customers.

Flexibility in the Choice of Materials

A large variety of thermoplastic materials may be used with vacuum forming, giving producers the freedom to select the material that is best suited for their particular purpose. Because of their versatility, goods with different levels of flexibility, transparency, and durability may be made. Vacuum forming is a flexible solution for a multiplicity of sectors, accommodating a wide range of material needs from durable automotive components to thin-gauge packaging.

Smooth Customization of the Design

Vacuum forming makes it simple to easily customize complex designs. It is possible to accomplish intricate textures, undercuts, and forms without the requirement for costly tool adjustments. Vacuum forming is a great option for creating aesthetically pleasing and useful items in a variety of sectors, including consumer electronics, car interiors, and signs, because of its adaptability in design customization.

Lightweight Goods

Because vacuum-formed materials by vacuum forming manufacturer are lightweight by nature, they are appropriate for uses where weight is a crucial consideration. This benefit is especially pertinent to the aerospace and automobile sectors, where weight reduction may improve overall performance and fuel economy. Additionally, vacuum-formed items' lightweight design makes handling, shipping, and installation simpler.

Next: Investment Casting Offers Both Versatility and Precision

[fishthegenderwitch]

3 bookcases were assembled, 2 bookcases are filled. I have 9 small-to-medium sized boxes on the main floor to put away, and 5 in my bedroom.

Here's hoping I have enough shelves. Lol.

I do still have some empty space on the large [to be replaced because it's looming and dark and hugely out of place] bookcase currently in my bedroom, and the short bookcase at the top of the stairs is totally empty. I'll be putting Science, History, and Self-Help books there (if those all fit).

I've been wearing a mask, and wiping off each book with a mild disinfectant wipe as it leaves its box, because as we all know, my old apartment was rife with mice, ants, and various molds. I made the mistake of putting away two boxes of books without a mask and had to stop for an entire day. So... not doing that again.

Friday we have a cleaning service coming for a deep clean, so my stuff has to be done before that time.

[chocolatedetectivehottub]

air conditioning system,

air conditioning system,

Air conditioning systems have become an essential part of modern living, offering comfort and relief from heat during the summer months. These systems not only cool the air but also play a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality and humidity levels. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of how air conditioning systems work, the different types available, and how to maintain them for optimal performance.

How Does an Air Conditioning System Work?

An air conditioning system operates on the principles of thermodynamics, using a refrigeration cycle to remove heat from the indoor air and release it outside. The main components of an air conditioning system include:

Compressor: The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature.

Condenser Coil: The hot, high-pressure refrigerant is then passed through the condenser coils, where it cools down and turns into a liquid.

Expansion Valve: The liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve, which causes it to expand and cool even further.

Evaporator Coil: The cold refrigerant enters the evaporator coil inside the air handler or evaporator unit. As the refrigerant evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, cooling it down.

Blower Fan: A fan blows the cooled air into the indoor space, creating a comfortable environment.

Thermostat: The thermostat monitors the room temperature and adjusts the system's operation to maintain a set temperature.

Types of Air Conditioning Systems

There are several different types of air conditioning systems available, each suited for specific needs. The most common types include:

Central Air Conditioning: This is the most widely used system for cooling entire homes or large buildings. It uses ducts to distribute cooled air throughout the space. The central air unit typically consists of a compressor, condenser, evaporator coil, and a fan.

Window Air Conditioners: These compact units are installed in a window and are ideal for cooling individual rooms. They are typically less expensive and easier to install than central systems but are also less efficient for larger spaces.

Split Air Conditioning Systems: Split systems consist of two main units—an indoor air handling unit and an outdoor condenser. They are more efficient than window units and can cool multiple rooms or small to medium-sized homes.

Ductless Mini-Split Systems: Similar to split systems, ductless mini-splits have an outdoor condenser and an indoor air handler. However, they don’t require ductwork, making them ideal for homes without existing ducts or for room additions.

Portable Air Conditioners: These are standalone units that can be moved from room to room. While they are convenient and easy to use, they are typically less efficient and noisy compared to other systems.

Geothermal Heat Pumps: These systems use the earth’s natural temperature to cool and heat a building. They are highly energy-efficient but come with a higher initial installation cost due to the need for underground piping.

Benefits of Air Conditioning Systems

Comfort: The most obvious benefit of air conditioning is comfort. A well-functioning system can help maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity level, making your living or working space more enjoyable.

Improved Air Quality: Modern air conditioners often come with filters that can remove dust, allergens, and pollutants, improving the overall air quality inside your home or office.

Humidity Control: Air conditioners help control indoor humidity, preventing mold growth and keeping your space from becoming damp.

Energy Efficiency: Many modern air conditioning systems are designed to be energy-efficient, helping you save on energy costs while keeping your space cool.

Maintenance Tips for Optimal Performance

To ensure your air conditioning system runs efficiently and lasts for years, regular maintenance is essential. Here are some helpful maintenance tips:

Change Filters Regularly: Air filters trap dust and debris, and over time, they can become clogged. A clogged filter reduces the airflow and efficiency of the system. Be sure to replace filters every 1-3 months.

Clean the Coils: Dust and dirt can accumulate on the evaporator and condenser coils, hindering the system’s ability to cool effectively. Clean the coils at least once a year to keep your system running efficiently.

Check the Refrigerant Levels: Low refrigerant levels can reduce the cooling capacity of the system. Have a professional technician check and recharge the refrigerant if necessary.

Inspect the Ductwork: Leaky or dirty ducts can reduce the system’s efficiency. Ensure your ducts are sealed and clean to prevent air loss.

Schedule Professional Maintenance: Even with regular DIY maintenance, it’s important to have your air conditioning system professionally serviced at least once a year. A technician will check for potential issues and ensure your system is running at peak efficiency.

Conclusion

Air conditioning systems are a crucial part of modern comfort, providing relief from heat while improving air quality and humidity levels. Understanding how these systems work and maintaining them properly will not only ensure a cool and comfortable indoor environment but also extend the lifespan and efficiency of your system. By choosing the right system for your needs and following maintenance guidelines, you can enjoy optimal performance year-round.