Handmade Gifts: Bandboxes
Bandboxes (or band box), also sometimes called hat boxes, were used primarily by men and women in the seventeenth and eighteenth century to protect, hold and carry their hats or other articles of clothing. Men’s hats during this time period were mostly made out of beaver pelts (beaver hat), which were imported and very valuable. These early … Continue reading
Lard-Roasted Potatoes – Snack of the Year?
In my last post, I talked a little bit about lard-roasted potatoes. While some people may fear animal fats, I am not one of them, and pork fat with potatoes is quite possibly the greatest combination ever. I render my own lard at home from locally produced pork fat I buy for cheap at … Continue reading
Dyeing Easter Eggs, Naturally
The other day I saw this little article on theKitchn.com. And this one. So I decided to try my hand at making my own, natural dyes for Easter eggs. Y’know what? They turned out pretty okay! Turns out if you boil the heck out of some colorful things, then add a little vinegar, then steep … Continue reading
Egg’n’grog, download the recipe!
6 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/4 teaspoons salt 4 cups half and half 1/2 cup rum (optional), preferable white but dark is fine. Dash of nutmeg Dash of cinnamon Separate eggs into two large bowls. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, salt and vanilla until creamy. Add rum and half and half. … Continue reading
Hurricanes again
Some of you may have remembered the time we had with Hurricane Irene last year. And then there was last year’s Halloween blizzard. Well, now we’ve got Hurricane Sandy barreling down on us here in the Hudson Valley. Seems like hurricanes (or snor’eastercanes?) may be the norm in the future. AND, since I have free … Continue reading
Hibachi rice
Growing up on a farm we ate a lot of meat and potatoes, but once I went to college I began to expand my palate with foods I had never heard of before, such as knishes, chicken francese, and Japanese food like Hibatchi rice. Hibatchi rice is one of my favor things to eat, I first … Continue reading
Handmade Gifts: Framed Quilt Squares
Framed quilt squares make great handmade gifts and you don’t need to be an expert quilter to create one. First find a quilt square that you like, keeping in mind the size of frame you intend to use. Many quilt square designs can be found online, check out McCalls Quilting for ideas. The best part about these quilt … Continue reading
Last-Minute Shopping: The Best Toys of All Time
Have kids in your life? Still have no idea what to get them for Christmas or can’t afford those crazy kid electronics? Check out this list from Wired magazine I just have to share. It reviews the most popular and kid-friendly toys of all time. Be sure to read the comments, they have some really … Continue reading
Broken for Me
Hi, my name is Nora and I am addicted to thrift stores. I am powerless before the strange power that lies within. The dusty corners where a special item might lurk are my siren song. Over the years I have taken a lot of ribbing by family about my addiction … where I see a … Continue reading
Reuse to Remember: Vintage T-Shirts into Bags
So I am moving to Malaysia this week, I know how many times have someone said this to you today? But really I am. And one of my most favorite geeky things are re-usable grocery bags. When I was moving out of my apartment in NY and escaping Hurricane Irene I used my cache … Continue reading
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