Wayne and Rebecca Madsen

Birthday Cake Frosting
-------------------
1 cup shortening (decorator shortening or Crisco)
1 TBS glycerine (you buy this in the drug store section of the store—the label says not to eat it but it is edible)
1 lb. Powdered sugar (a package)
1/4 tsp Butter flavoring
1 tsp Flavoring (any kind or combinations)
3 TBS cold water
pinch salt

Beat shortening and glycerine on high speed for about 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and beat for 5 minutes. You can double recipe but this takes a bigger mixer than a hand held one.

Divide up frosting and add food coloring as desired afterwards. To add the frosting to the cake, use a metal frosting knife, dip in cold water and then smooth over the cake; the rich buttery texture makes it easy to get a smooth surface.

White Chicken Chili
------------------------
2 cups diced onions
2 cups diced celery
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 pound chicken breast, cooked and diced
8 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 (7-ounce) can chopped green chilies
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/3 of a 7-ounce can chipotle in adobo, chopped
4 tablespoons chicken base
1 pickled jalapeno, chopped
2 pounds white beans, soaked overnight
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded carrots
16 ounces sour cream  read more »

/** * */ package echo;

import java.util.Scanner;

/**
* @author wayne
*
*/
public class TheCodeB {

/**
* @param args
*/
public static void main(String[] args) {
Scanner scan = new Scanner (System.in);
double pounds, kilos;
System.out.println("Please enter amount of pounds:");
pounds = scan.nextDouble();
kilos = pounds * .45359237;
System.out.println("You currently have " + kilos + " kilograms of stuff.");

}

}

I had a show in Gallery III on campus during the Thanksgiving week. This displays the painting work I did this semester, along with some previous stuff I didn't include in my graduate application portfolio. This was supposed to be a "get to know professors and expose my work to professors."

Artist Statement:  read more »

We liked Shannon Hale's The Princess Academy, so on Melissa's recommendation we picked up The Goose Girl to read to each other on our trip to Oregon.

The book was good. I was really worried it was going to turn out to be a "coming of age story" (bleech), but I was actually quite captivated the whole book through. Moreso because Rebecca was reading it to me and that always makes a book better.  read more »

I was recommended this book by some friends and after the first chapter I was terrified. And captivated. But by the middle of book, I was tired and honestly stopped reading.

Let's just say, I got the point early on: people who have children and have two incomes are in trouble for no fault of their own. Well, sort-of not their own. But a fascinating study nonetheless. Here's a break down of their analysis.  read more »

Do It Yourself sites (or DIY for short) have run their course. It seems that almost everyone now has posted a blog on creating, controlling and doing at home. From homespun wool to hacking the latest gaming system into a laptop, DIY-ers have sprouted across the internet like wild flowers. Or weeds, depending on your opinion.  read more »

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.

-Dorothy Parker

We like having visitors. Especially since we are living on the other side of the continent from all our family. So we were happy this week to visit with Rebecca's father who came out for a class that his employer offered to pay for. The visit, however, could not have come at a worse time for me. I was rarely home before 8:30 (or 9:30...) this week.  read more »

I think I should write down a small entry about "what-I've-learned-this-semester" and to "explain-what-I'm-doing-by-not-painting."  read more »