Best King Oversized Flat Sheet of the Decade, No more fighting.

This Kingnex Oversized King Flat Sheet, 132x110", Top Sheet is the best king oversized flat sheet of the decade, no more fighting over the top sheet at night!

It's made with Soft Double Brushed 1800 Microfiber and Extra Wide for a King Bed.

I got this because I was frustrated with sheets that did not tuck under the mattress on both sides.

I was frustrated with paying a premium price for King sized top sheets that weren't wide enough, or soft enough!

This sheet is WIDE! There's so much extra sheet on the sides that your can tuck it in on both sides, and create a tight cocoon.

It's also SOFT! Some other high end top sheets still were not soft after multiple washings. This sheet is soft right out of the package. We gave it a wash before using and it came out great. 

Color selection is great too.

This my greatest discovery in top sheets and has improved my life. If I want another color, I'm getting this one.

[UPDATE] How to descale a Nespresso Vertuo machine using a descaling solution.

This Nespresso Descaling Guide for Vertuo Line is well done. 

I think Step 6 needs an edit. When I took more than 7 seconds between steps 4 and 6, I had to go back to step 4 and complete 4-6 within 7 seconds. 

Step 6:

Press and hold the button until the light turns off and then starts blinking quickly again. Steps 5 and 6 must be completed within 45 seconds.

Should be:

Press and hold the button until the light turns off and then starts blinking quickly again. Steps 4 and 6 must be completed within 45 seconds.

How to rescue sticky over-proofed sourdough

 

After rising overnight my sourdough looked good, but after I shaped it, it became sticky, I tried slapping it on the counter like I saw in French videos, but it remained sticky, so I out it back in the bowl and covered it. 

I asked Gemini, "What should I do next?"

I got a good answer:

Looking at ⁠image.png⁠, those large, glassy bubbles on the surface and the slightly loose, domed structure suggest your dough is over-proofed.

When dough rises overnight at room temperature, the wild yeast and bacteria eat through the sugars, eventually exhausting the gluten structure. The slap-and-fold method ("slapping it on the counter") works beautifully to build gluten earlier in the process, but at this stage, the gluten network has already broken down, which is why it feels intensely sticky, wet, and won't hold its shape.

Since it's back in the bowl, here is how you can salvage it right now:

1. Pivot to a Focaccia or Pan Pizza (Recommended)

Trying to shape this into a free-standing boule or batard will likely result in a flat pancake in the oven. Instead, use the structure-free nature of the dough to your advantage.

 The Method: Generously oil a baking sheet, cast-iron skillet, or cake pan with olive oil. Tip the sticky dough directly into the pan.

 The Fix: Don't try to shape it. Just gently stretch it toward the corners. If it resists, let it relax for 15 minutes, then stretch again.

 Bake: Dimple it with your fingers, add your favorite toppings (like sea salt, rosemary, or tomatoes), and bake hot at 220°C to 230°C (425°F to 450°F) until golden and crisp.

2. The Loaf Pan Rescue

If you absolutely want a sliceable loaf of bread, let a tin do the structural work for you.

 The Method: Grease a standard loaf pan thoroughly (or line it with parchment paper).

 The Fix: Wet your hands to handle the sticky dough, gently scrape it out of the bowl, and drop it straight into the loaf pan.

 Bake: Let it settle for just a few minutes to level out, then pop it straight into a preheated oven. The walls of the pan will force the over-proofed dough to rise up instead of spreading out.

3. Bake It Right Away

Because the dough has already fermented significantly overnight, do not let it sit or proof further in the bowl. Whichever salvage path you choose, get your oven preheating immediately and bake it as soon as possible to capture whatever remaining oven spring the yeast has left to give.

How to descale a Nespresso Vertuo machine using a descaling solution.

This video provides a step-by-step guide on how to descale a Nespresso Vertuo machine using a descaling solution.

Preparation and Entering Descaling Mode

• Prepare the solution: Pour the descaling agent into an empty water bin and fill the rest halfway with water [00:00].

• Initialize the machine: With the lever unlocked, press the button once and wait for a steady light [00:20].

• Access the menu: Press and hold the button until the light turns off and then starts blinking rapidly [00:28].

• Confirm mode: Turn the lever to the lock position, then back to the unlock position, and hold the button again until it blinks quickly [00:39].

The Descaling Process

• Start the flow: Place a large container under the spout, lock the lever, and press the button once [01:00].

• Dispensing: The machine will blink and dispense the solution until the tank is empty. You may need to swap containers to prevent overflowing [01:23].

Rinsing and Completion

• Rinse the tank: Discard the used solution and fill the tank about two-thirds full with fresh water [01:47].

• Start rinsing: Reinstall the tank and press the button once to begin the rinsing cycle [02:11].

• Exit mode: Once the tank is empty and the noise stops, press and hold the button for about 7 seconds until the light becomes steady to exit descaling mode [02:31].

• Final steps: Wait 10 minutes for the machine to cool down before refilling the tank to brew coffee [02:51].

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O5eaMVoKmA

Install: Lutron Maestro Lightswitch Sensor with Switch MS-OPS2

BEFORE: Two Black, One Ground.

AFTER: Black to Black, Black to Black, and Green and Ground to Ground.

ATTACHED TO WALL. 

It works, and controls two bathroom lights. 

The 'Leviton 1-Gang Decora Plus Screwless Wall Plate, 80301-SW, White' fits perfectly.

 

 Installation instructions

Recipe: Whiskey-Glazed Carrots & Apples

Whiskey-Glazed Carrots & Apples

Carol Garfield

Ingredients

Produce

• 2–3 lbs carrots, peeled and cut on an angle into 2–3” pieces

• 4 apples, peeled and sliced into thin half-circles

The Glaze

• 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey  

• 3/4 stick butter, cut into pieces

• 1/2 cup brown sugar (adjust based on preferred sweetness)  

Instructions

1. Prep the Dish

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.

• Coat the bottom of an 8×12-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Par-Boil the Carrots

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the carrots and cook until just tender (usually 5–7 minutes depending on thickness). You want them slightly resistant to a fork, not mushy.

• Drain well and transfer them to the prepared baking dish.

• Add the sliced apples to the dish and toss lightly to distribute them evenly among the carrots.

3. Make the Glaze

• In a saucepan over medium heat, pour in the whiskey. Let it cook for 30 seconds to evaporate the harsh edge of the alcohol.

• Add the butter pieces; stir continuously until melted.

• Add the brown sugar and stir until the mixture is fully combined, smooth, and glossy.

4. Bake & Serve

• Pour the glaze evenly over the carrot and apple mixture.

• Bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly and the carrots fully tender.

• Tip: Stir the mixture gently halfway through baking to ensure the glaze coats everything evenly.

💡 Chef's Tips for Success

• Apple Selection: Honeycrisp or Fuji will add sweetness and hold their shape well.

How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs

To boil eggs, place them in a pot and cover with cold water by about one inch. 

Bring the water to a full boil, then turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let the eggs stand for 9 to 12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. 

Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath for at least 15 minutes to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.

More: How to Make Hard-Boiled Eggs

How To Disable the Caps Lock key on your iPad Magic Keyboard

To disable the Caps Lock key on your iPad Magic Keyboard, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Hardware Keyboard > Modifier Keys and set the option CAPS LOCK KEY to NO ACTION. 

Ben Gingi’s Olive Oil Pistachio Halva Cookies

Ben Gingi’s Olive Oil Pistachio Halva Cookies

Ingredients

• 75 gr Graza High Quality Olive Oil 

• 90 gr brown sugar

• 70 gr white sugar

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

• 5 gr salt

• 5 gr espresso powder (optional)        

         • 3 gr baking soda

• 140 gr all-purpose flour

• 150 gr dark chocolate bits

• 100 gr whole pistachios

• 100 gr halva

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 340°F or 170°C.

• In a bowl, whisk olive oil, brown sugar, white sugar, and egg until combined.

• Add salt, espresso powder, baking soda, and flour; fold until almost fully combined.

• Add chocolate bits, pistachios, and halva; fold until combined.

• Scoop with an ice cream scooper ping-pong–sized balls. Round in your hands to a ball.

• Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, 3–4 inches apart from each other.

• Bake for 14 minutes.

• Remove from the oven and immediately use a cookie cutter round to a perfect round cookie.

Ben Gingi’s recipe on Instagram

Where to go in Nova Scotia and on Prince Edward Island.

 

When in Halifax you can stroll the Harbor walk and visit The Daily Grind Cafe and Bar for a fabulous Bagel and Lox. 

Carol and I traveled to Nova Scotia for a family event and added on a side trip to Prince Edward Island. We visited Peggy’s Cove to see the world famous lighthouse and were lucky to see the famous Bluenose II sail by. If you are planning a trip to Nova Scotia, it’s a quick flight from Boston to Halifax.  

Not to be missed is a tour of Alexander Keith’s Brewery, make a reservation. 

Make sure you try the best craft beer in Nova Scotia, Propeller Galaxy IPA. 

On Prince Edward Island we visited Green Gables Heritage place to learn all about the author of Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery.