Persimmon Pudding

I just had persimmon pudding for breakfast and decided to share the recipe with you because it is good.  This makes a very mild flavored pudding. 

6 Tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups persimmon pulp
1 - 2 cups milk  (I used 2 cups - hence, the milder flavor and softer density)
3 eggs
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Beat butter till very soft (or soften in microwave).  Continue to beat while gradually adding sugar.  Add persimmon pulp, milk, and eggs.  Beat well.  Sift (or stir) the dry ingredients together then add to persimmon mixture and beat well. (Hint: add about 1/2 of the milk and flour alternately at a time to help avoid splattering you and the kitchen.)  Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch glass baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean (don't overbake).  Makes 12 large servings.  Serve with whipped cream if desired.  It's good warm, but is much more flavorful the next day - when it lasts that long.

Updated Composition Project

Last week, I abused my leg muscles by walking down eight flights of stairs during a fire drill.  I'm old, I'm lazy, and I have residual injuries that I like to call "sports injuries" but they are mostly from accidents when I was younger and more active.  Anyway, I don't climb up or down many stairs anymore and eight flights was about 7 1/2 too many.  So I can't do much this weekend, but sit at the computer.  Which is mostly what I usually do anyway. 

So, this morning I took the 4 lesson HP course "Beyond basics: fundamental photography techniques" which covers portraits, architecture and landscape, black & white photography, and macro photography.  While I was taking the course I found a couple of pictures that would illustrate topics for my Photography Composition project so I got sidetracked, but I managed to finish the course anyway with 100% on all the quizzes. It was a good review of the different techniques and I did learn some new things.

While adding the pictures to my project, I decided to re-organize it since I'm just sitting here.  I divided it into three separate PowerPoint presentations and rearranged the subjects to make a better flow of topics.  I also added a few topics, subtopics, and more pictures.  Then I updated my Project page here on this blog - check out # 5 if you want to see the changes.

I'm thinking of starting a Project 52 next year with the subtopics from my project, or maybe a Project 12 as I think I now have 12 main topics.

Free Digital Photography Lessons at HP

Did you know that HP offers 22 free digital photography courses at www.hp.com.go.learningcenter? You can access these short courses anytime 24/7.  The lessons include short quizzes and assignments. Some "quick lessons" are only one page long, but most appear to be 4 lessons long.  You can take each lesson separately or download a pdf file which contains all four lessons.   There is a forum where you can ask questions of "experts", but I've seen much better forum layouts on other sites.  (Actually, the HP forums used to be better.) 

HP also has a  Digital Photography Center where they'll try to sell you HP stuff, but it has some good tips for the amateur photographer.  For a sample, check out the Basic Photo Composition  tips or Focal Points.  And if you like DIY, explore the Creative Studio.

Their other free courses include Microsoft Office and Adobe, Home Office, PC Maintenance & Security, Business Basics, and IT Professionals.

11/18/11 update: Wouldn't you know it?  Shortly after I posted this, HP sent me an email announcing they are re-designing their Learning Center and the courses will be unavailable until December 19th.

01/29/12 update:  The HP Learning Center  is now re-opened.  It probably re-opened in December but I forgot to check.  They have 8 Digital Photography classes and other related classes such as Creative Gifts to Make from Photographs