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All Posts By

Ryan

Household

Where’s That Smell Coming From

March 13, 2023

All my kids growing up and even now are very active, in particular sports.  But definitely by far the boys stuff smelled the worst.  Sorry guys.  I was forever shoving fabric dryer sheets in running shoes, skates and hockey bags.  I bought deodorizers and anything else to absorb the smell.  I remember buying my son a new pair of shoes a few years ago and since it wasn’t close to Christmas and keeping any boxes I could find, I broke it down and was putting it in the recycle bin when the little silicone packet flew out.  Hmmm they put these in shoe boxes to absorb the rubber/leather etc. smell.  So decided to give it a try in the smelly shoes and it worked.  It didn’t remove the smell completely and best of all it didn’t cover it up with another smell and it was going to be thrown out anyways so what did I have too lose – except the smell.

Canning Featured

Follow the Directions

March 6, 2023

What I love about canning is the flexibility to try something new and different.  Either a new recipe or by adding a new spice to an old favorite.  Go ahead have the courage to give it a try!  What I will tell you is follow the directions.  I have loads of recipes with hand written side notes, words underlined and notations of ALWAYS and NEVER.  A few years ago I decided to make a batch of pickled beets.  I hadn’t made them in quite a while so I needed to refresh myself with the recipe, ingredients and jars needed etc.  I woke up early on the Saturday morning and got to work.  I like the mouth popper size so got them boiling and prepped everything else.  When they were done cooking I started to pull the skin off but it wasn’t working so I started scrubbing the skin and some was coming off but not like it’s supposed too.  So I called my sister and fellow canner and said in frustration ‘why isn’t the skin coming off’.  The first thing she said is ‘are they done’ to which I quickly replied ‘yes’.  She said ‘I’ll be right over’.  She walked in and immediately went over to the beets that were cooling in the pot and stuck a fork in them and said ‘you said they were done, they’re not done’.  I replied ‘they are so done’ and poked them with a paring knife feeling quite proud of myself.  She pointed out on the directions that clearly said use a fork when making sure they are cooked enough.  We looked at each other and broke out laughing.  You know that moment when you realize your mistake.  I immediately put pen to paper with a side note on the recipe Always Use A Fork, Never A Knife!  It seemed like an unimportant detail initially but soon became the crux because if I had cut the skin off and continued with the recipe all my jars would have had undercooked beets.  Yuck!

Household

My Extra Room at the House

October 17, 2022

My family loves to utilize our deck.  After a long cold winter there is nothing better than setting up the outdoor furniture and smelling the fresh grass, flowers and watching the tree bloom until you get attacked by bugs.  Obviously they too have been waiting for you to start being on the deck as well.  Over the years I have tried everything from expensive bug repellants to home remedies.  As you know I have grandpets so I’m careful that anything I use is safe for them.  I poured through websites for anything I hadn’t tried before and by fluke came across herbs to plant in your vegetable garden to repel nasty pests.  Although I don’t have a veggie garden I decided to pot 5-6 plants of basil, rosemary and lavender and put them on the edges of the deck.  To my excitement it worked plus I had fresh herbs at my fingertips for cooking all summer.

Featured Lifestyle

Not Just Your Average Relish Tray

October 17, 2022

I was attending a family Easter potluck lunch and decided to bring a relish tray.  I figured this would be great because I can quite a few items that would be perfect and then made my list for items I would need to purchase.  The morning of the lunch I was digging through my pantry trying to find the perfect tray and bam I had an idea?  When my mom downsized years ago she gifted me her wedding china, a beautiful Silverbirch pattern by Royal Albert.  What if I used it for my relish tray?  So I pulled out a couple of large platters, tea cups, sugar bowls, other cool little bowls in the set, etc. and voila 2 unique relish trays.  I made two signs listing all the items and placed them beside the trays.  The best part was the look on my mom’s face when she saw her china.  Priceless.  We taste with our eyes first so use what you’ve got and jazz up your dish, literally!

Lifestyle

Family Functions

October 17, 2022

I am fortunate that my extended family enjoys getting together 3-4 times a year usually around a holiday or special celebration.  I surprised everyone about 6 years ago with a couple of activities/games with prizes and it was a hit.  I tailor them for all ages and it get’s people moving, chatting, laughing and with my family being somewhat competitive,  It’s a great addition to the time were together.  If you decide to give this a try at your next family function be prepared it may become your ‘job’ going forward. 😊 If you would like some ideas let me know and even better if you have some to share.

Lifestyle

Turn the Beat Around

October 17, 2022

Almost a year ago I joined a 30 day Facebook group on Simplifying.  Basically each day you were given a challenge – Day 1 Clean out a drawer, Day 2 Donate 2 gently used items and so forth.  It was actually a great ‘cleanse’ so to speak.  Recently I was converting a spare bedroom into my She-Room and going through a dresser and came across a drawer of tank tops.  You know the kind you wear under a low cut top/blouse.  I didn’t try them on in store and bought them at a 2 for1 final sale ages ago so picked up 4 in total.  I was disappointed to find out that they were quite low and defeated the purpose of wearing them under anything low cut.  So I tucked them in a drawer and basically forgot about them until now.  As I picked them up and decided to finally get rid of them a thought came to mind – turn them around and wear them backwards!  It worked great give it a try.

Canning

Let’s Go Shopping

October 17, 2022

One of the things I love to do is go shopping.  The shopping I’m referring to is in my preserves.  That feeling when I’m out of something in my fridge and I peruse my glorious canning shelves for a replacement.  I almost appreciate my efforts as much then as when I make the item.

Canning

Pop Pop Pop

October 17, 2022

Those sounds that are music to a canners ears.  It means that all your hard work has paid off and your jars have sealed.  People can get caught up in the excitement of what they are putting in the jars and all the prep work but if you don’t take the important steps before hand, of sterilizing and, afterwards of boiling your lids, hot water bathing etc. then it was all for nothing.  Your time, the cost of the product and frankly the frustration.  All I can say is be meticulous and the pay off will be well worth it.