Week Five

Alkalai Earth Metal - Francium

Francium, atomic number 87, abbreviated as FR is the second rarest naturally occurring element.  As far back as 1870 scientists believed that element 87 exisited, but it wasn't until 1939 that the element was actually found.  Many scientists prior to 1939 observed spectral lines they believed to be evidence of Francium, but all were disproved until Marguerite Perey purified a sample of Actinium 227 and found an unusual decay product.  This is an extremely scarce element - scientists believe there is only about 30 gr. in the earth's crust total.  The largest amount ever assembled in one place is 10,000 atoms.  Although scientists can now synthesize Francium by nuclear reaction they have never made a sample large enough to weigh.  Fr has the lowest electronegativity of all known elements.  It is highly radioactive metal that decays into astatine, radium, and radon.  Fr is less stable than any other element lighter than nobelium.  Francium-223, its most stable isotope has a half life of less than 22 minutes.  Fragile!! Francium is so unstable and rare that there are no commercial applications for it.  It has been used for research purposes in biology and atomic structure.  Scientists explored the possibility of using Fr as a diagnostic aid for cancer but it just wasn't practical.

What Colors Are in My Kitchen?

I work pretty hard to make sure there are many colors in my kitchen.  I do in one week what most people do in three.  So, I sit down Friday or Saturday and plan the next week's meals.  I make a list of what I want to cook based on what everyone wants to eat, shop on Saturday, then cook it up on Sunday so it can be easily heated and ready to go by the time I get in the door around 8 PM.  I lived on a working farm when my kids were little so I am aware of what's fresh at what time of year.  I do use seasonal fruits and vegetables.  Also, I like to mark the seasons with appropriate food - heavier in the fall & winter & lighter, fresher meals in the summer and spring.  Although I'm concerned about eating well from a health/weight point of view, I really just like to eat.  I love that we sit down every night and talk about our day and what we've done and are planning for the next day.  It's the best way for me to check in with everyone since my kids are older and I'm gone so much.  My big goal in life has always been that when my kids grow up and come home they request meals that they really like.  Also, I like to cook but I don't make the same things over and over.  I like to try new things...much to the consternation of the last remaining child who has the ability to identify a pinch of nutmeg in a gigantic stew.  So, we get variety.  Here's what's cooking while I'm writing this:  ham/chicken cassoulet, chicken soup with organic peas & cremini mushrooms.  I am going to make Canneloni for dinner tonight with sauce I made a couple of weeks ago and froze.  I am going to bake and freeze gluten free chocolate cupcakes that I will later dust powdered sugar hearts on for my classmates Thurs. (Valentine's day).  I am going to make white sugar cookies in the shape of hearts frosted with lots of sugary pink frosting and little silver balls for my family. We'll use the leftovers for lunches we pack every evening.  

I've found that eating well takes some doing.  If I don't know what I'm going to eat I'm more likely to spend money and eat poorly.  If I plan it all out, we eat well.  Most of all, eating is one of the very best things in life.  It's a chance to sit down and enjoy people.  For me cooking has always been a way to show the people in my life that I love them.

All that good stuff being said, here's one of the prettiest colors in my kitchen at present:  Jet-Puffed Strawberry Mallows.  Yes, soft squishy light pink marshmallows.  I would like to make a pillow from them! I bought the litte guys last week at the grocery store.  I really like the idea of them and they appeared in lunches last week.  OK, I didn't eat them and I know my son didn't either, but they were very cute and kind of fun for Valentine's.  They are not good for you, but I really can't imagine anyone being able to ingest too many.  As I look on the bag I notice that it comes with a CHOKING WARNING.  Nice!  I should have made Rice Krispie Treats with them....

Link Review

I enjoyed the link with the minerals.  I have spent a lot of time looking at minerals in NYC and Washington DC and always have a great time doing so.  It was enjoyable to read what gives them their beautiful colors.  I couldn't get the elements in a flame to download. I like the last site too, where the minerals are shown under different types of lighting.