Itty Bitty

Last week scientists at IBM Zurich took the highest-resolution image ever of an individual molecule using an atomic-force microscope, the hydrocarbon known as pentacene. This is part of an ongoing effort to someday build computing elements at an atomic scale, which would greatly reduce power consumption and fabrication costs. This is the first time they've been able to see through the electron cloud surrounding the molecule to look at its individual atoms.

Pentacene is made up of 22 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms. The image below is of five of its carbon atoms. They say the position of the hydrogen atoms can be discerned from this image...I'll take their word for it. It measures 1.4 nanometers in length. Teeny.

Kind of pretty, isn't it?

IBM Research-Zurich

Apple, goat cheese and honey tartlets

Ingredients

2 17.3 ounce packages frozen puff pastry (4 sheets), thawed

1 egg, beaten to blend

6 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (about 3/4 cup packed)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

3 medium Gala aples, peeled, quartered, cored, cut into 1/8" slices

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup honey (preferably dark such as forest honey), divided

1/2 teaspoon (scant) ground allspice

Preparation

Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out each puff pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to 11-inch square. Using 5" diameter cookie cutter or bowl, cut out 4 rounds from each pastry sheet, forming 16 rounds total. Divide 8 pastry rounds between prepared baking sheets; pierce rounds all over with fork. Using 3.5" diameter cookie cutter or bowl, cut out smaller rounds from center of remaining 8 rounds (reserve 3.5" rounds for another use), forming eight 5" diameter rings. Brush outer 1" edges of 5" rounds on baking sheets with beaten egg; top each with 1 pastry ring. Freeze at least 30 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep frozen. Do not thaw before continuing.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix cheese, lemon juice, and salt in bowl; spread mixture inside rings on frozen pastry rounds. Overlap apple slices atop cheese. Mix butter and 1/4 cup honey in small bowl; brush over apples. Sprinkle with allspice. Bake until apples are tender and pastry is golden, about 35 minutes. Place tartlets on plates. Drizzle 1 tablespoon honey over each and serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe from Bon Appetit, October 2007, Jill Silverman Hough

Absolute funniest thing I've seen. EVER.

Seriously. Funniest thing ever. Until I watch the NEXT advertisement for fall season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. My husband is officially tired of hearing me cackling and snorting like a loon.

I love this show.

A nice evening in

Emma, Gracie, and Matt

Sweet Kent

Here's my new nephew, Michael Kent Thompson. Isn't he sweet?

Sweet, yes, but he is my brother's son...couldn't help but notice the resemblance to Dr. Evil* here. Perhaps he has plans for world domination? Such an ambitious child:

*August 24 2009 update: In case you're not familiar with the Dr. Evil reference, go here.

Photographic Dictionary

Sometimes I see something and think, "Wow. Wish I'd have thought of that first." Check out a very clever project entitled The Photographic Dictionary created by Lindley Warren. It is dedicated to defining words through the literal, figurative, and personal meanings found in each photograph on the site.

Below you will find tentative and kiss.


Jon Feinstein

tentative ten.ta.tive [ten-tuv-tiv]

- adjective

1. of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental: a tentative report on her findings.

2. unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant: a tentative smile on his face.

Angus R. Shamal

kiss [kis]

- verb (used with object)

1. to touch or press with the lips slightly pursed, and then often to part them and to emit a smacking sound, in an expression of affection, love, greeting, reverence, etc.: He kissed his son on the cheek.

2. to join lips with in this way: She kissed him and left.

3. to touch gently and lightly: the breeze kissed her face.

4. to put, bring, take, etc., by, or as if by, kissing: She kissed the baby's tears away.

- noun

5. an act or instance of kissing.

6. a slight touch or contact.