n_maher

Happy Birthday!

Change of Command is this week, which means I get my 4th boss in three years (FML) so I decided I'd fabricobble the command gift. The outgoing skipper is a Navy diver who has a penchant for clapping to build morale. So I decided that I needed to work all that into the gift. So the rough motif is a replica Navy diving bell mounted to a plaque with our command logo and major project logos engraved into brass coins. but the kicker is that the helmet sits on an LED base that lights up and yes, can be controlled by a Clapper.

Do pizza ovens count?

Happy Birthday, Brent! I entered a whisky lottery for you this week. Oh wait, that was for me. My bad.

Happy belated! I hope it was good.

Infecting the next generation. Andrew's new ride is a leftover Specialized Fuse Sport. Specialized stopped making the bike in 2022 but had made so many that dealers still had them and they were blowing them out. Original MSRP $2400, paid $999. Bought one for Lily two years ago for $1600 and thought that was a screaming deal. Can't wait to get him out on the trails if it would ever stop raining around here.

Last step in fondant potatoes is to put them in the oven, so currently baking these.

now lunch.

Banana bread for the birthday boy - somehow Andrew is 14.

Say what? I have to admit, I thought they were talking about the glasses on the table.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

All this deferred resignation stuff has meant the departure of a few key staff members, one in particular I've worked with for nearly 15 years and deserved something more than an Irish goodbye. So I made him a little something for his retirement yesterday. That's the blank walnut, engraved/machined with the cnc machine. Finish applied, awaiting infill bits. Finished project. The middle bit is an original survey boundary marker for the island that I rescued from a demo project. It's likely way more than 100 years old. I thought he deserved to take a little piece of the place with him even if it's a little tarnished and scarred. I prefer things that way actually, probably because I resemble the description.

Have not had much time to consume TV lately but family vacation finally offered a chance to check out: Thoroughly enjoyed this, looking forward to Season 2 this fall even if a very different story arc is proposed.

Apologies for the lateness - a very happy birthday to you, Shelly!

Late condolences, Steve. Can’t really even imagine. I’m so very glad that you were able to speak with her and were able to get some closure.

Wrapped up vacation in FLAlalala. Travel back tomorrow, weather permitting (we’re already getting warnings) and hopeful that kids won’t go too mental about departing 85 and sunny for 50 and rainy.

Fried rice on the flat top is a game changer. And yes, temps can go very high. Just watch out for the sensitivity to ambient temps and wind. They are a lot more affected by that than a regular grill, in my brief experience. I had one very cold morning where pancakes almost couldn’t be cooked.

Love my flattop, Steve. Smash burgers might be the best way to eat them, homemade friend rice is sofa king good, and being able to cook 9-12 pancakes at once is a first world problem, but still glorious to overcome.

Half way to your goal now, buddy.

Happy belated, Jeffy!

@mikeymad - that's a damn sight better than I've ever been able to manage.

chicken pot pie was on the menu tonight so I figured what else could go wrong?

This. Sorry for the loss of your furry friend, Todd.

A very happy birthday to you, Doug!

So sorry to hear this news, Al. Hugs and all that and I'll raise a glass to Tom tonight.