Pi Day 2015

Last Saturday was the Pi Day of the century (if it's noted in our odd way of writing the date by starting with the month first, then the day and using two digits for the year). Searching the internet I couldn't find any explanation of exactly why or when this started in the US or even why we continue to use this unusual system but in this instance it gave all the math nerds a special day to party. Apparently they lost a really big chance to celebrate in 1592! Since science and math are popular topics for discussion during meals in our home, the day was marked by the production of 3.14 pies.    

The pies chosen for the big event were spinach quiche, pumpkin and deep dish pizza for the whole number 3 and a little apple pie for the .14. To be honest the little apple pie is a bit over at .16666667!

Yes, both pi and pie are indispensable in the real world!

So what is the big deal about Pi Day? Is pi really an equation we use much after taking the college entrance exams? It is cool that all those seemingly random numbers that go on forever actually make up the order of a perfect circle. So here's some of that perfect circle business with a pi crust. 

Ok, so that's not quite a perfect circle. Guess it's all in the wrist.

If you put pie crust and filling in a square dish would it still be called a pie?

Then there are all those numbers . . .

. . .  never ending or showing a pattern of repeating,

It seems I'm the only one in our household who actually uses Pi for practical purposes, like sewing a round tablecloth for this serviceable table Nick made to hide the woofer for the sound system. It makes a good hiding place for our kitty, Spenser who is portraying Schrodinger's Cat here, maybe.

The  inspiration for the spiral design on the pumpkin pie came from this Pi Pie charm on my bracelet. I have made use of pi when ordering bangle bracelets online in order to get the right size. Thanks to all the attention I'm actually paying to pi for this post I will probably be able to remember it to four places and won't have to cheat by dividing 22 by 7. So that's twice I've used pi since the SAT!

A couple of math nerds with their quiche. March 14 is also Albert Einstein's birthday so Burt decided to pay homage to the great man by dressing in his likeness. As for Nick, well that's just how he looks. 

Hmmm, Pumpkin Pi to 29 places. 

A piece of pi's irrational numbers.

Later that day there was the deep dish pizza pie!

Ok, I found this on the internet.

If depth = a, and the radius = z, the volume = pi * z * z * a

Well, I believe that was all the nerdy pi related stuff that happened on 3-14-15.

Think I'll go make a circle skirt.  

Now Burt, what are you planning on doing with that pie?

Did you celebrate Pi Day? Do you every use pi?

Is it irrational to want to know?

Thanks for stopping by!

Burt Cleans Up

Tomorrow is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time for most of us here in the states. It seems like spring is in the air even though it's still officially a couple weeks away. It will in all probability be snowing here until May, but that's ok, we're used to it. In the meantime, that extra hour of light at the end of the day can illuminate all sorts of disgusting housekeeping problems. Luckily, Burt has offered to help out with the spring cleaning chores in addition to offering some of his sage advice.

Be prepared.

 Being able to see things clearly is always important . . .

 

. . . so is looking at a problem from a different point of view.

Have fun, but don't overlook those hard to reach places . . .

. . . because cleaning, like life is all about balance.

After all you never know what you will find once you start looking.

You might find cat toys under the couch . . .

or a skeleton in your closet!

Thanks for stopping by!

Is it spring yet where you live or are you still waiting for it to arrive?

What do you love most about spring?

Cabin Fever

Burt has been catching up on his reading during those recent winter days when the high temperature stayed firmly below zero. Although our weather hasn't been really all that bad, relatively speaking.

Of course there was always an ongoing project or two to keep everyone occupied.

Like building pinhole cameras from all those empty boxes that keep accumulating.

Then one day, when we least expected it, the dreaded Cabin Fever set in.

The overwhelming urge to laugh at the fickle gods of climate change overcame us. We put down our drinks, bundled up and went out to take full advantage of the frozen stuff. At least it was a sunny day!

Our top layer of snow was the dry, powdery variety, sadly making building a snow person or a decent fort impossible. Luckily, by using our bare hands it did melt just enough to stick together for snowballs! We were determined to have a proper snowball fight and quickly built up an arsenal.

Who won? Good question.

Probably the one who was least affected by the cold. So if your stuck inside, buried in snow,

trapped by the cold or just plain bored with winter here's some advice from Burt.

Make a few snow angels.

Try a new or old sport, you'll only hurt for a few days afterward.

Write your name in the snow.

Or if all else fails, take a road trip.

Thanks for stopping by!

How is your winter going? What's your favorite cure for Cabin Fever?

The Basement Garden and Valentine's Day

One of the reasons I started this blog was so my Mom could see my garden change over the seasons. At this time of year I find it almost impossible to imagine that anything will ever grow there again! It's nice that the snow hides all the ugly stuff but it does seems like it's never going to go away.

This is my son Andy's driveway in Quincy, just south of Boston. They have over four feet

of snow now and they're getting more over the weekend! So why is his car smiling?

Meanwhile, inside there are definitely signs of spring! These are plants from the patio, oops.. lanai!

They can't survive the snow and sub-zero temps so they have to spend the winter in the basement under grow lights. Burt has been kind enough to help with the subterranean garden chores. 

It's surprising how many of the plants actually flower underground.

These Primroses blossom twice as much in the basement as they do outside.

Spenser, our bad kitty likes to chew on as many plants as possible.

Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day it's time to sprucing up the house with some decorations. I have to admit it's pretty hard to come up with interesting ways to use hearts and cupids. This photo is what I put together for a party a few years ago using Halloween and Christmas deco, costume jewelry, old valentines and empty candy boxes. Why did I think an owl in a Santa hat was Valentine's Day deco?

Burt is a big fan of holidays and he never passes up a chance to celebrate anything!   

Of course he's found the perfect wine . . .

. . . and a special friend to share it with.

Thanks for stopping by! So sorry for being gone for so long, again!

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

So how is your winter going? Any signs of spring?

 Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone!