Toolbox Tuesday - Gimlet

Gimlet

 



A gimlet is a hand tool that was used for drilling small holes (mostly in wood) without splitting. The gimlet can be described as a piece of steel of a semi-cylindrical form that is hollow on one side, it has a cross handle at one end and a screw at the other. A gimlet is always a small tool as a larger form is referred to as an auger as the cutting action between the two devices is slightly different. Pressure is not required when using a gimlet once the tip had been drawn into the wood. When turned the spiral sides function to both pull the cut pieces out of the entry hole as well as pull the gimlet further in the hole.

Foodie Friday- Afternoon Tea Scones

Afternoon Tea Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 Tbsp white sugar
• 2 Tbsp butter
• Butter Milk

Instructions:

Sift dry ingredients and rub in butter; add enough butter to make a soft elastic dough. Knead lightly on floured board, cut into rounds, place on a warm griddle and bake steadily until well risen and a light brown on underside. Turn and bake on the other side until quite cooked.

These may be baked on a floured cookie sheet in a quick oven (375F) for 10-15 minutes. Make scones a little thicker when rolling out. Currents or raisins may be added. 

Serve with clotted cream, jam or butter.

Kelsey 

Backus-Page House Museum

Foodie Friday- Melting Moments Cookies

Melting Moments Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Icing:

• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbsp half and half

Instructions:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter until light, then gradually add the confectioners' sugar and salt. Beat this mixture thoroughly, about 3 minutes; gradually add the cornstarch and flour and blend well. Form the dough into walnut- sized balls and chill for 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F. Transfer the balls to an ungreased cookie sheet and let stand for 20 minutes or until soft, then make a thumbprint on top of each to flatten the cookies. Bake for 15-16 minutes or until the cookies are golden on the bottom. Remove to a rack to cool. 
3. While the cookies cool, make the icing: in a small bowl, combine the butter, confectioners sugar, almond extract and half and half until creamy. Ice the cookies when they are completely cooled. Store in tins, in layers separated by plastic wrap.  

Kelsey Conway

Backus-Page House Museum

World War Wednesdays: Fighting in Flanders- Gas. Mud. Memory.

World War Wednesdays: Fighting in Flanders- Gas. Mud. Memory.

 

     If you would like to watch the museum's emotional short video for the exhibit, click here

    

 

     I know, I know, I do so much advertising for the museums in Ottawa that it's a shame they don't pay me for it. But, there truly are so many amazing things being done by these institutions that I can't say enough good things about them! One of the greatest perks of being a University of Ottawa Student is that we get free admission to any museum in the city on Thursday evenings, so I like to spend as much time as possible at one of my favorite places on earth, the Canadian War Museum. I've spent a large amount of time there already this year, which has been the highlight of my semester, and I still feel like I haven't yet experienced the entire thing. This past week, I had the opportunity to go on a VIP guided tour with the History Students' Association of the University of Ottawa. The tour that I went on focused on the Second World War and some of the key items in the museum related to it. It was so cool to get some background stories on objects that I normally just pass by!

      What I wanted to write about is something that is brand new to the museum. In recent times the temporary exhibit at the Museum has been Witness, which showcases the works of First World War artists A.Y. Jackson (a Canadian, of the Group of Seven), and Otto Dix (a German). I loved this display so much, it was a fascinating representation of the war's influence on these two artists, and I was sad to hear that it was closing. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that its replacement is just as amazing!

     The exhibit is called Fighting in Flanders- Gas. Mud. Memory. Here is the Museum's synopsis of it:

An exhibition developed by the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, in partnership with the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Belgium, and with the generous support of the E.W. Bickle Foundation.
From the opening movements of the First World War, most of Belgium was occupied by German forces. Fighting in Flanders – Gas. Mud. Memory. explores how Canadians in Belgium had to adapt to the significant challenges – from the first use of poison gas in the Second Battle of Ypres to the hellish mud of Passchendaele. The exhibition highlights the famous poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae and examines how Canadian and Belgian collective memories have evolved over the last 100 years.
     As mentioned, the exhibit highlights all events that took place in Flanders, Belgium during the First World War. It takes you right through the muddy hell and back again, ending with an emotional re-creation of the actual memorial and simulation of how the area honors the events that took place there.
     The highlight of the exhibit for me was the simulator that allows people to safely smell what the poison gases used during the battles actually smelled like. For some reason, this really affected me. Smelling all the different types of gases really made me feel that horror, as though I was waiting to feel the effects and have the awful reactions just as the soldiers did. It has been said that the sense of smell is the most powerful for creating sensations, and I definitely experienced that. In case you wondered, I did not choke, go blind, or lose any other senses, though I did get a good gag from the phosgene.
     The exhibit features soundtracks of battle sounds and harsh fighting, as well as the soldiers' cries in reaction to encountering the gas. This adds a truly horrifying element to the experience. Of course, sight is the most important sense of the exhibit, and my sense of sight was definitely on overload. Here are some of the highlights:


Examples of how the Remembrance Day poppy has evolved in Canada

An original copy of In Flanders Fields, handwritten by John McCrae

John McCrae's medals

A "Roll of Honour" from the final memorial segment of the exhibit

     There are just so many amazing aspects of this exhibit, which was two years in the making. I highly recommend that you make sure to visit it if you find yourself in Ottawa-- it will be here until late April 2015!

 

 

     I regret that I will be taking a tentative break from posting due to exam season and holidays. Thank you so much for reading my posts, I genuinely appreciate your taking the time to read my ramblings. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

            As Always,

             Delany

Christmas Craft Sessions

Our Holiday Craft Sessions start next week!

December 8th - 12th.

Tickets are $10 per person,

they include the craft making and a tour of the museum decorated for the holidays!

 

Monday, December 8th - Pinecone Carolers

 

Tuesday, December 9th - Clothespin Wreath

 

Wednesday, December 10th - Candle Holder

 

Thursday, December 11th - Christmas Door Hangers

 

Friday, December 12th - Christmas Centerpieces

 

We encourage you to RSVP

by calling the Carriage House at 519-762-3072



ToolBox Tuesday - Brace

Brace

 

A brace or brace and bit is hand tool that was used to drill holes, usually in wood. Pressure was applied at the top and the tool was rotated with the u-shaped grip. This type of hand drill could be used to drill wider and deeper holes compared to it's other counterparts because it gave much greater torque. Although with the much greater torque came lower rotational speed. Majority of other hand drills could easily achieve several hundred rotations per minutes although the brace struggled to achieve even 100 rotations per minute. The design of the brace and bit made it easy to keep at a precise 90 degree angle. The front part of the brace that held the bits consisted of a chuck spindle with v-shaped brackets or clamps inside. Turning the spindle clockwise would tighten the bit and counter-clockwise would loosen the bit to remove it. Right behind the chuck is a three position gear release which would allow ratcheting of the handle when in tight spots. The u-shaped crank had a wooden spindle on it that would freely turn therefore there would be no blistering of the hand.

 



Media Mondays

Media Mondays

Home for the Holidays at the Backus-Page House Museum

 

The museum is decorated for the holidays and open for tours!

As well as we will be hosting daily craft making sessions!

December 8th-December 12th.

 

Please purchase your ticket by calling the Carriage House.

Tickets include entrance to the daily craft session and a tour of the museum.

 

Please RSVP and inquire about ticket prices by calling the office at 519-762-3072.

 

A list providing the date and which craft we will be making will be posted soon.