Category: Home

Big Reaction: Microwaving Ivory soap

Big Reaction: Microwaving Ivory soap

The key to this reaction is using Ivory soap. This type of soap has little air pockets throughout (it floats in water). The microwave excites trapped water molecules, transferring heat to the air pockets. The air rapidly expands, creating the foam growths.

Bring some Gemütlichkeit to your apartment

Bring some Gemütlichkeit to your apartment

I’ve been thinking about ways to make our apartment feel more homey. There’s a German word, Gemütlichkeit, which roughly translates to coziness, or snuggliness perhaps? That feeling of comfort when you arrive home.

Lamb’s Ear, a plant you can pet

Lamb’s Ear, a plant you can pet

On a recent trip to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, I stumbled on the niftiest plant ever. It’s called Stachys byzantina or “Lamb’s Ear”, named for the softness of it’s leaves. And WOW are they soft.