Author Archives: mike@standardsmichigan.com

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August 14, 2003

“The world is changed by examples, not by opinions.”

Marc Andreesen (Founder of Netscape, the first dominant web browser)

 

August 14, 2003 Power Outage at the University of Michigan

Carpentry

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Notre Dame in Ireland: Chef David’s Scones

“…I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”

–W.B. Yeats | ‘He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven’

The history of scones is believed to have originated in Scotland. The name “scone” is said to come from the Dutch word “schoonbrot,” which means “beautiful bread.” Scones have a long and interesting history that dates back several centuries.

Originally, scones were not the sweet, buttery treats we know today. Instead, they were simple unleavened oatcakes or griddle cakes made from barley, oats, or wheat. These early scones were baked on griddles or stovetops rather than being oven-baked.

As time went on, the recipe for scones evolved, and they became more commonly associated with Scotland and England. The Scottish version of scones was typically round and made with oats. They were cooked on a griddle or in a pan and then cut into triangular sections, which were known as “bannocks.” These bannocks were the ancestors of the modern scone.

In the 19th century, with the advent of baking powder and modern ovens, scones began to be baked instead of griddle-cooked. The addition of baking powder allowed scones to rise and become lighter and fluffier. The ingredients were refined to include flour, butter, milk or cream, and a leavening agent like baking powder. This marked the shift from the traditional oat-based scone to the more recognizable wheat-based scone we know today.

Scones’ popularity spread beyond Scotland and England, and they became a common teatime treat across the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. The addition of raisins, currants, or other dried fruits, as well as sugar, transformed scones into the sweet delicacies that are commonly enjoyed today, often served with clotted cream and jam in the classic English afternoon tea.

In the United States, scones have also become popular, with various regional and cultural variations. American scones may be larger, sweeter, and have a wider variety of flavor options, such as blueberry, cranberry-orange, or chocolate chip.  Today, scones continue to be beloved treats enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or as a delightful snack with a cup of tea or coffee. Their history reflects centuries of evolution and cultural influence, making them a delightful and enduring part of baking traditions worldwide.

Ireland

National Standards Authority of Ireland

Standard Scone Recipe

The standard scone is a simple and versatile preparation that can be customized with various additions, such as dried fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips, to suit different tastes.

Here is a basic recipe for making standard scones:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup milk (plus more for brushing on top)
  • 1 large egg
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavorings (e.g., almond extract, lemon zest)
  • Optional: Additions such as dried fruits, chocolate chips, or nuts (about 1/2 cup)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be well distributed but still in small pieces.
  4. If you’re adding any optional flavorings or additions, mix them into the dry ingredients at this stage.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and optional vanilla extract (or other flavorings) until well combined.
  6. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet mixture into it. Gently stir the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be slightly crumbly but hold together.
  7. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round disk, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
  8. Use a sharp knife or a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into wedges or rounds, depending on your preference. Traditionally, scones are cut into triangular shapes.
  9. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
  10. Brush the tops of the scones with a little milk to give them a nice golden color when baked.
  11. Bake the scones in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are lightly golden on top.
  12. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Scones are best enjoyed fresh and can be served with butter, clotted cream, jam, or any other toppings of your choice.

This standard scone recipe provides a classic and delicious base that you can experiment with by adding various flavors and mix-ins to create your own unique variations. 


Morning Tea

The Imitation Game

“Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals” Alan Turing PhD dissertation 1938

Computing Machinery and Intelligence 1950

 

May 28, 1936: Alan Turing submitted his paper “On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem” that would quietly spark the digital revolution with the design of a machine (Bombe) that significantly shortened World War Two in Europe.

– Alan Turing (1912-1954)

Related:

Facilities | WRNS Studio Frist Health Center (~$48.5 Million)

Nursery Stock

“Children in the Garden” 1892 Gładysław Podkowiński

The purpose of the American Standard for Nursery Stock — ANSI Z60.1 — is to provide buyers and sellers of nursery stock with a common terminology in order to facilitate transactions involving nursery stock.  This standards establishes common techniques for

(a) measuring plants,

(b) specifying and stating the size of plants,

(c) determining the proper relationship between height and caliper, or height and width, and

(d) determining whether a root ball or container is large enough for a particular size plant.

This document — prepared under a grant to ANSI by AmericanHort — is a communication tool for the exchanges of products and services but does not provide buyers with any assurance of the health or quality of the nursery stock being specified or sold.  It does not cover labor resources.

The American Hort standards landing page is linked below:

American Nursery Stock Standards

CLICK HERE for the current edition of ANSI Z60.1 2014

The 2014 revision should be entering another revision cycle though the pandemic has slowed standards setting among many non-profits.  We encourage front-line staff to participate directly in the American Hort standards setting enterprise.  CLICK HERE for contact information.

We sweep through the status of best practice literature for anything related to exterior assets in education communities during our Bucolia colloquium.   See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.

Issue: [18-160]

Category:  Bucolia, Pathways


IoT Enabled Smart Gardening

Update Status

We continue sorting through anomalies with Godaddy Tech Support to resolve Standards Michigan requirement for frequent and timely updates across all of our platforms.  We got half the problem solved last month when we upgraded to WordPress 6.8.1 but updating was slow on mobile devices.  Now we need another PHP update.  Our normal course of business will not be interrupted as far as our daily colloquia is concerned but we cannot predict the outcome on the images which are an essential part of our work.

  • Posts are not updating across all platforms — particularly on X on iPhones.  Usually a caching problem and not one we haven’t seen before.
  • Some images will not center.
  • Footer and right-side widgets not loading properly.

The good news is that all our content, including media, survived the WordPress upgrade.  The next step in our “GoDaddy Journey” will be the PHP upgrade this week.  There will likely be surprises but none that we cannot handle.

Much like  hardware in ICT, software must also be maintained.

This page will be posted to our X-feed: @StandardsMich to remind our colleagues and followers that software needs to be “maintained”

Perfect your omelette

A commercial kitchen is a kind of laboratory

Standards Australia


Kitchens 200

Pros and Cons of Owning A Dog During College

Getting a dog during college can be an exciting thought for many students who are leaving home and are experiencing their first taste of true freedom; However, many young adults fail to consider the responsibilities and obligations that come with owning a dog while in school.

Apart from the necessity as companions for students with disabilities; consider the following:

Pros:

They can lead to decreased stress.

Dogs have the incredible ability to make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. A study actually found that when people took care of dogs for just three months, they showed significant drops in blood pressure and reactivity to stress. There’s no better feeling than coming home after a long day to your furry best friend who’s thrilled to see you.

They help motivate you to exercise.

Daily exercise is an essential part of a dog’s well-being and absolutely cannot be neglected. However, this requirement becomes mutually beneficial because it also ensures that you’re getting outside daily, intaking sunlight, and getting your own exercise. Even if you’re having a rough day and don’t feel like doing much, your dog will make sure that you go outside and get moving.

They make great companions if you live alone.

Dogs can be fantastic companions for students who choose to live alone. Living by yourself can be lonely. Your pet can serve as a companion to keep you occupied, as well as a solid guard dog when needed (or you can at least let them think they are).

Cons:

They require a time and patience.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog in college, be prepared to commit tons of time and attention to them. Training sessions will be vitally important in ensuring that your dog is potty-trained, can behave on a leash, and can be trusted around other dogs. You’ll also have to make time for vet appointments, play time, and letting them out on a consistent basis.

They can be expensive.

Dogs can be extremely expensive. Between vet bills, food, toys, and general dog supplies, the costs can quickly add up. Assessing your financial situation beforehand and determining whether or not now is the right time for you to get a dog, is absolutely essential.

They can cut into your social life; although can expand your social life with a starting point for common conversation with other dog lovers.

Like it or not, having a dog will cut into your social time with your friends. Staying out until 4 am on the weekends or being away from your house for 12 hours at a time is no longer feasible when your pet is waiting for you at home. Plan to make arrangements to fit your dog’s needs, which may mean missing out on social activities from time to time.

 

Readings

University of Michigan: Animals on Campus

North Central Michigan College

20 Pet Friendly Colleges

Standards Michigan: Animals

“Nipper” RCA Victor

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