Tabliering, seeding and using a microwave were the manual methods adopted by hobbyists and homemakers for tempering chocolates in the pre-automation era. These methods were done using the classic double boiler and trusty thermometer.

But these chocolatiers had a tough time tempering by hand and the plight of beginners was all the more pitiful because it took a while before they mastered the difficult art and science. At this time, tempering machines were huge, able to process hundreds of pounds of chocolates at a time, and strictly for commercial chocolate makers.

Due to the efforts of Skip Snyder, a New York computer professional, the tempering machine became handy and lightweight enough to fit any kitchen countertops.

The temperature control of this tempering machine was the main focus of Snyder because he knew tempering could be affected if the right temperatures were not maintained during tempering. The right temperature to be maintained was that where only type V crystals were produced because these type V crystals were the only crystals responsible for the shine, smoothness and firmness familiar to chocolates.

Snyder went on to be awarded the patent for his invention and launched his Sinsation Chocolate Maker in 1996 marketing it to hobbyists and homemakers as a “kitchen appliance”.

Chandre LLC, where Snyder served as its chairman, sold the Sinsation via mail order, advertising the product across national in culinary and chocolate magazines. The IT company Indotronix International made an investment of $1 million in Chandre LLC to bankroll Snyder’s marketing activities.

In 2000, another company, ChocoVision commenced selling the Sinsation under the “New Sinsation” trade name, including it in the Revolation line of merchandize. A big stake in the new effort is still believed to be held by Indrotronix.

ChocoVision’s initial market foray for the chocolate tempering machine was mainly through eBay. Participation in trade and industry shows came later, with ChocoVision getting involved in such industry and trade events as the World and National Pastry Competitions.

Currently, most chocolatiers including professional pastry chefs, restaurants, coffee shops and small-scale confectioneries in addition to hobbyists and homemakers are now using the Revolation tempering machine, which is now being sold in many countries through retailers and various distribution channels.

Quilters today have access to an endless choice of quilting notions including threads, rulers, templates, marking pens and cutting tools to name just a few. As the time to create a new quilted item approaches it may seem challenging to know which materials to choose and where to start. A new quilting ruler named the Double Diamond Ruler is a great place to begin.

The Double Diamond Ruler offers a marvelous way for you to add a diamond-shaped ornamentation to any design. Prior to the invention of the Double Diamond Ruler it was rather cumbersome to make a diamond pattern. Previously you would have had to draw a pattern onto fusible interfacing, press it onto the fabric and then clip the drawn lines with scissors. Talk about time consuming! Thanks to the Double Diamond Ruler this is no longer necessary.

With two sizes available the Double Diamond Ruler now helps you easily create either 1 1/2″ and 3 1/2″ wide diamonds. Create an attention-getting eyeglass case or even a shoulder strap for your handbag by using the 1 1/2″ Double Diamond Ruler. Add distinctive, dimensional diamonds to a wall hanging, table runner or even table topper utilizing the 3 1/2″ Double Diamond Ruler.

Once you’ve decided which sized Double Diamond Ruler works best for your design you will need to choose 3 quality fabrics to work with: a background fabric, main fabric and contrast fabric. Solid color cloths work best but small prints will result in an interesting effect too. Avoid large prints because they will not display the diamonds as well.

Check out the online idea gallery at Bright Quilting Notions for assistance with where to begin. In addition to ideas, there are patterns, kits and even an instructional video to help you get started. Order a Double Diamond Ruler today and you will be taking the first step towards creating a true masterpiece.

Sure, a watch tells the time but it also speaks volumes about your personality. Show up for a job interview wearing a stainless steel Rolex Datejust - and you’ll see some raised eyebrows. While just having a watch in the first place is a feat for some, for watch aficionados, a good timepiece is a work of art, an heirloom piece. For guys with an eye for quality metal, their collection is second only to what’s stored in their garage. The ladies? An elegant watch is part of her jewelry collection.

Sound too extravagant for your budget? Essential Watches dosen’t think cost should keep you from owning at least one high-end timepiece. Specializing in discounting only the top Swiss and German fine watches from world-class manufacturers like Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Lange and Sohne, Panerai, Chopard, Frank Muller and Audemars Piguet. Even if you can’t find the exact watch you want on their website (although highly unlikely), just let them know what you are looking for and they’ll get if for you.

Granted, there are a lot of cheap watches peddlers out there but how many of them can you trust? Look for a solid reputation - just check their positive transactions posted on eBay (yes, you really can get everything on eBay). Buying a watch is an investment, so you don’t want to rely on a grainy stock photo. Instead, look for detailed photographs of every watch line so that you know exactly what you’re getting when that little box arrives in the mail.

So how does a watch dealer get their authentic top-of-the-line watches at below market prices? According to Essential Watches, it’s all about their relationships with the “major” players and whom they know. This is the stuff that allows a simple eBay store to grow into one of the leading watch sellers on the Internet.

Stencil graffiti, made famous by Banksy over the last couple of years, has actually been a form of street art for 25 years. You can apply paper, cardboard or other forms of surfaces (such as plastics) to develop templated graphics and text. You merely cut around the shapes from your cardboard/paper/other surface, put said surface onto a wall (example), then spray or roll-on paint.

The basic principle of stencilling is creating outlines via cutting shapes, and spraying paint within these cutout shapes - creating well-defined images on the surface underneath. Sometimes multiple layers of stencils are used on the same picture to add colours or give the image some depth.

There are myriad reasons for being a stencil graffiti artist. For a few, it is an easy method to shout out a political point. Other artists treasure the PR that their artwork can acquire. Some just wish their art to be viewed. Because the stencil stays consistent throughout its use, it is far easier for a stencil artist to speedily repeat what could be an involved piece at a very quick rate, when equated to other traditional tagging methods, so without doubt, there is also a strong promotional reason to get involved with stencilling.

Banksy has applied stencilling as a way to make a point, often quite succinctly, leaving the spectator to work out that very point in their head. This is oftentimes why people love his work so much, as they force the viewer to meditate on the message behind the artwork. Banksy artwork is now being reproduced on canvas, t-shirts and posters, such is the popularity of the street artist.

Basically if you do not have an idea on how to start you can begin with a fire pit plan. First and for most you should locate an area where you want to erect one, it should be away from the garage and also from flammable material and fluids. An under ground fire pit can be a great ideal considering that it is very easy to make one. You do not have to have much equipment like you want to build a chicken run or a small house.

The underground fire pit is very easy for example you may have to dig a circular pit which you would have to place half of the drum (standard drum 210ltr) inside and then surround it with concrete to make it firm. Above the drum you should make an opening and place wrought iron bars across then you place a removable wire mesh at which the mesh should also be suitable for you grill. Also make sure that the drum has got several holes by the side so that ventilation is present which will also make the fire burn easily. This is one of the simple ways to make your own fire pit.

1) Shadows of the Andes
[or: Song to the Andes]

I shall blend-in, into the

Mountains
Into the faintest thin

Shadows

of the mountains!
Like the moss on moistened

Stone

Like a leaf blown far from

Home…

(freshly fallen)!

I shall blend-in, clinging

To the mountains
Into its faintest thin

Shadows

Note: when I arrived back home from Peru, my 7th trip in five years [April, 2005], I had spend about 30-days this time on the trip. I visited the Mantaro Valley, Huancayo, and drove through the Andes. Upon my arrival home, I told my wife, perhaps a week or two thereafter, “We are going to go there and live.” Thus, we sold everything, and our home in Minnesota, and purchased a condo in the Andes, and now it is all history.

Sombras de los Andes

Yo armonizaré, dentro de las
Montaas-
Dentro de las sombras finas
Ms débiles
De las montaas!

Como el musgo de las piedras
Humedecidas

Como una hoja echada a volar
Lejos de casa

(Recién cada)

Yo armonizaré, adhiriéndome
A las montaas-
Dentro de sus sombras
Finas ms débiles

2) Battle of Ollantayambo

In Ollantayambo
Thousands of warriors crowed the terraces,
To repel Herrando Pizarro’s attack;
Among them, Manco Inca appeared
On horseback, with a lance in his hand
Horrifying, Pizarro’s unsuccessful advance.

6/30/05 #745

In Spanish

Batalla de Ollantaytambo

En Ollantaytambo-
Miles de soldados llenaban las terrazas,
Para rechazar el ataque de Pizarro-;
Entre ellos, apareci Manco Inca
Montado en su caballo, con una lanza en su mano
Horrorizando, el fracasado avance de Pizarro.

6/30/05 #745

3) Cesar Vallejo’s:
Feasible of Black Roses

Bow down your head ol’ poet
To face God’s grace ahead
There are no more trenches

To dig today…
In the forest of your head,

So:
Bow down, bow down,

Ol’ barbaric poet!
Death rides the horse ahead
I hear the crackling of a whip
See the crazed eyes of death.

He summons you to his den
The devil and his wind,

So:
Bow down, bow down
Your blood stained brows
He will take you to the edge.

Closer, closer, I see you now
Eh! a moving satanic cloud
I see a festival of black-roses,
I hear clamor in the crowd.

Bow down, bow down, Ol’ poet
…I hear your applause!

#666 [5/15/2005] In English only

Dennis Siluk http://dennissiluk.tripod.com