Recycle, Reduce, Reclaim, Repurpose

Since we are snow bound again today--now a weekly Friday event apparently and subject for another blog--its time to check in with y'all. Snowbound means its not TBTB (too busy to blog).  As my New Year's blog suggested I'm big on reusing things in various ways. In fact I am big on all four of the concepts in the title. No I am not a minimalist and I don't dumpster dive (but I have picked up furniture from the side of the road much to CD's chagrin--it was a white wicker headboard and we had to put the top down on Petunia to get it in).  We recycle as much as possible with what's available in our county and without roadside pickup. Yup we haul it all into town to the recycling center there--paper,glass, mental cans,plastic,aluminum, cardboard.  I also like to go through stuff and give away as much as possible--sometimes in exchange for labor, a little bartering. Our Dish guy is going to help me set up the new wide screen when I get it in exchange for the old rear projection TV. He will even help move furniture. In the last week I have given a non profit a printer and a desk chair. I have also given a good friend 7 almost new shirts--5 from Fresh Produce and 2 Foxcrofts in a rainbow of colors--which I have gotten too small for (another blog).  My books are going to the library book sale as I slowly shed most of those. Once I gave a trunk load of silver pieces to a friend who loves silver. This was after I realized I hated polishing silver. We also compost (1-15-10 blog). I have pieces of lumber that have been shelves in four different place--dining room in old home, guest bedroom this house, my Ex D office, and now garden house here at the lake.
Today's blog is about repurposing. I love candles, especially those that come in glass containers. Many of these containers are just too attractive to pitch. I went through a time when I saved all the containers. I also save candles pieces with the idea that I would melt them down together and refill the glass candle containers with new wicks and the melted candle wax.  Well that never happened and I was just beginning to feel like a hoarder. So, the glass got recycled but still.....
I have come up with some really pretty good uses for some of these containers. This little one was just perfect for holding paper clips on my desk .

My latest one however was to use three containers as party nibble bowls. Two of these--the dark green and the clear with green lines--are from Thymes Fraiser Fir candles. The dark green is really heavy glass and feels like the real deal, The amber one is a no name candle picked up cheap at TJ Maxx. What attracted me to it was an elaborate filigree pattern in slightly darker amber. I actully bought it for the container not the candle. 

These three on a wooden tray--not the one shown-- looked fabulous.  One had a walnut cranberry mixture, one an oyster cracker/ranch dip powder combo, and the third wasabi almonds. 
To prep these containers after the candle is burned down I put the candle on a candle warmer and then pour the resulting liguid into a paper cup. I wipe the glass out with paper towels while still warm, pulling out the ends of the wicks with the metal disks. Next I spray Goo Be Gone into the container and wipe out again with paper towels. Next it goes through the dish washer to get rid of any Goo Be Gone residue. The containers come out sparkling. I tried skipping the spary step but the dish washer will not get out all of the wax that inevitably remains when the liquid wax is wiped out.  I've also used this method to create jars to fill with decorative items like CD's beloved purples (as in sea shells).

BTW, a way to extend some candle life of those that burn down in center and live a thick wall of wax around the container is to melt down the candle on warmer pushing wax from the sides into the middle. Remove old wick and insert a new one--can be bought at places that sell candle making supplies or even Wally World. Wrap free end of new wick around a pencil or pen (I often use a chop stick) laid across top of container. This keeps wick upright while candle wax is cooling. When cool snip wick to desired length and voila--more candle time. It also makes for a low residue candle when its time to repurpose.

Well, y'all be good and we'll talk at you soon. Gotta check the snow situation.

New Years Luck

There are many traditions surrounding New Years from partying hardy to First Night Watch.  One I have followed faithfully for years because it feels right to me is the idea that cleaning something out on New Years Day brings you good luck for the year--an out with the old, in with the new which feels good. Usually this actually starts in the getting-ready-for-Christmas period at my house.  I start to see stored things that really don't need to continue to live at my house and either get pitched or donated.  This year's plan actually emerged from a long term renovation of a renovation of my study. When I retired from professorhood in 2005 I got rid of hundreds of academic books and their bookcases as well as a two wall desk. This was replaced by a smaller desk made of filing cabinets and plywood.

Here I have already started removing stuff from the top of the desk in anticipation of the renovation. The chair by the way is Mr P's and came from his study in Dallas when we moved his stuff in 1990. Actually the whole re-enovation was prompted by two things: my retiring from the nonprofit as executive director in Spring 2010 and the purchase of an HP notebook somewhere along the line.  I also got a neat desk from pottery barn that lived in the bedroom.  I found that I simply did not use the computer in the the way I had when I worked. I used to spend hours in the study. Now only in the morning for meditation and prayer. 
It had become filled with left over office stuff and files from two careers that were just sitting around. In the fall I started going through filing cabinets and ditching--mostly recycling-- what really we no longer needed.  I also had moved my old laptop, etc up to the upstairs bedroom. Finally at Lutyens bench I had bought for the front porch was wintering in the study. There was definitely a stuff overload.
Soooo, New Years morning was do it day.  First I moved the oak filing cabinets that were empty out of the study and into the livingroom to move into storage where they can store stuff.

The next step was getting all the crap off the rest of the desk. The old printer is in the trunk of my car to be donated. Some stuff is already set aside for burning (has SS# on it), some in trash, and some in recycle but alot will have to be sorted through piece by piece. So the next step was getting rid of the other plywood desk top. The remaining two oak filing cabinets are still full and I had decided to leave them for now was end tables

The white shelf in the forground was also holding up plywood and needs to be sorted and put somewhere. Needs a wood top as well. Once the last piece of plywood was out the vacuuming could begin. There was a lot of stuff as well that had lived under and behind the desk which got stacked around like old brief cases.

Here is the final product. A whole new seating area. No you can't see the rest of the study. It looks terrible. But each day I though more stuff which gets pitched, donated, recycled, or reused. What I like about this tradition is if you keep it up you do not show up on Lifetime's Hoarders.

By the way, I told Mr P that I had taken apart the desk down in the study. He laughed and said "Again." I sat there and thought about it what he meant and then realized he was talking about seven, yes, seven years ago. His desk has been there over 20 years. It may have the original dust on some parts. Just ask CDuckster.

Mr P's Christmas Tarts

Every year since we have been married --23 years--I have made Mr P mince meat tarts for Christmas. I don't eat these things but he loves them.  The first step happens usually in October when the mince meat is made. This is NOT that stuff you can find in the pie filling aisle of your grocery (maybe) but homemade with real meat.  Originally mince meat was a way of preserving the small meat from game such as deer and elk that could not be butchered into steaks and roasts. Usually it was meat scraped from the carcass--waste not, want not. Mixed with sugar, candied fruit, spices ( allspice,cinnamon,cloves,coriander,mace,and nutmeg) ,rum, and brandy, it can last several weeks and should be made ahead of time so it can "set up."  I don't use game your can't pick up mince elk and deer in the supermarket and substitute good quality ground sirloin, then mix with fresh grated apple, candied citron, lemon, orange, brown sugar, the spices, and the alcohol which cooks off and but still functions as a preservative..

Soooo, yesterday I made enough pastry dough for four pies.  Let me tell you right up front that I hate making pastry dough because it always is a mess. Every year I am tempted to buy the frozen mini pie crusts BUT, I put a decorative top on each and so would have to make pastry dough in addition. Yes I know that you can make it in a Cuisinart but my fav recipe really would not work there as you will see in a minute. Mr.P likes it made with lard not Crisco or any other vegetable oil based shortening and a butter pastry crust just would not do in this situation.  So, 4 cups flour, 11/3 cups lard and 12-14 tablespoons cold seltzer water make two double crust pie crusts. I make the four in two batches just for ease in handling. This usually take over an hour not counting cleanup of flour and lard everywhere.  Baby Girl always gets involved by trying to lick up the flour/lard combo bits that hit the floor. This year I shouted her and Mr P to stay out of my way. Sorry about that. I usually do this when Mr P is gone so he can't see how annoyed I get until it all comes together which always eventually does. Once made the dough should be chilled for 24 hours before being rolled out. Before going to bed I got out the tart making kit which I have put together over the years which include pastry cloth, rolling pin, cutters, silicone mats, cup cake papers, and three cup cake tins. These are kept together in a drawer specific to this activity.
    This morning prepped and ready go I lined up everything and started rolling out dough and cutting the bottom crusts.

The blue is the silicone mat which is supposed to be used for cookie sheets. I find they really work well if lightly dusted with flour for rolling out the dough.  Less use of flour and little to no sticking. The cutter is actually the lid to a deflunct drip coffee pot of Mr P's. It works well with the handle and is just the right size.  Since I can only estimate that I will be making close to three dozen tarts I complete on pan before starting the next. Over the years I have learned to use three muffin pans which can all go in the oven on two racks at the same time.  Really saves on baking time since it takes nearly and hour per batch.  I fill one pan with bottom crusts.

Mr. P likes his crusts thick as you can see.  He really likes pastry dough and tells me he used to eat it raw as a little boy.  Once I have all of one pan filled I added the mince meat. One large serving spoon is just the right size per tart. Overfilling is a no,no since the juices will tend to flow out onto the top of the pan,turning into hard candy, making tart removal and cleanup a pain.

The tart down in the right hand corner is a little too full. I had to take some out and push the rest back in the shell. Next comes the cutting of the decorative tops. I use metal Christmas cookie cutters for this that I have probably had for about 40 years. It is best to use ones that are not to narrow and to use cutters that are just the edges in order to easily poke the cut crust out if it sticks.

Here you see stars and hearts on tarts ready to go into the oven. I also cut trees and bells.  The mince meat ended up making 33 tarts or three shy of 3 dozen. I have some pastry dough left over that may become a meat pie which Mr. P also loves. Maybe New Years day. The baked tarts really do look nice. I assume they taste good although I have never actually eaten one. Mr P always seems happy

 So here you are Sweetheart. Merry Christmas. I love you.



The Little Candle That Couldn't

I saw this Energizer glass LED votive at Target, read the label which said four hour timer and fell in love with it but did not buy.  Thought about it for a week and went YES !!! I'll get several. Perfect for several places in the house over Christmas.  Sorry I know its supposed to be the holidays but inside my house its Christmas and we know its Christmas. No, I don't think there is a war on Christmas and I fully understand public sentiment against religious displays--although that seems to be the atheists not non-Christian religions.  But, back to the candle. Went to Target and could not find the candle. Display had been moved and I just could not find it.  Within a few days we had to go to Roanoke for some eye surgery for Chris which went quickly and smoothly--a laser clean up of cataract surgery.  Had Googled the item to order and found a list of various Energizer LED votives but none like this so went to big Target in Roanoke and YES !!! there they were.  Got three and left.  After a bit I realized three would not do what I wanted and went back to our Target, found them and got a third. The following week they went on sale down to $10 from $13. Quite a savings. But too late.  Argh.
          In the meantime we were getting it together to go to CDuckster's for Thanksgiving.   She had three LED  glass votives in cranberry on timers on her bar and they really did work. I got them for her from www.batteryoperatedcandles.com in the spring for her birthday.  I decided to get some of the silvers above to go with them.  We had to hit Target anyhow on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving --a whole nother blog.  Saw some plain silver LED votives and grabbed up three of those for her and two more of the silver like mine.  That night we set up the silver in between the cranberry and they looked great. The LED light casts a strong light and thus is more dramatic. However it does not flicker like other flameless candles. The next morning CD tells me they never went off. We both fool with them and conclude there is no timer function. The labels have been tossed and they are outside in the garbage so no checking labels to see if these are different.
Sooooooo, we get home and I take out one candle to test. Yes, the label clearly states four hour timer. I set it up and nope it does not go off after four hours, five hours, or six hours. Check the little instruction page and look at how to set the timer. Check candle. Nope, there truly is no timer function.  So, now I have 6 of these candles bought in three different cities and none of them are what I want. Back all but one go to Target. Fortunately, there was no issue with the return. Clerk agreed there was not timer function and I got over $60.00 back on the VISA. 
I love this candle and if it did as promised it would have been a major find but NOOOO. Energizer, check your products and your labelling.

Hello, hello !!!

Well we haven't posted for over a year because the proverbial manure just kept hitting the fan for both MDuckster and then CDuckster. In November the Great HB had two massive strokes, was in ICU for 10 days and finally ended up in a rehab facility where he stayed until moved to a nursing home and final back on his own in a one room apartment in May. He was initially paralyzed on left side, Never lost his speech or mentall capability. Now he walks with a cane but his left arm and hand are of little use. HB was only 46 when all this happened. In April while we were all supposed to be at OBX CDuckster's dad had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery.  Probably also a stroke. Recovery and rehab has not gone great. He is 86 and tries to do all the work to get back but its hard.  CD bought a new four bedroom house in order for her dad to live with her.  This meant closing up his house in Florida and disposing of or moving all his stuff. She also has a live in care giver since he needs some real basic nursing care. CD is only 33.  Heavy load. He got out of the facility at the end of September. A few days later MR P, my husband, had congestive heart failure. This was caused by fluid retention, a side effect of the prednisone he is taking for his COPD. Got him home and three days later a heart attack. Does have some blockages but too scattered to use a stent. The first three weeks he was back home he was a mess. They've adjusted meds and now he is back to his old self of playing golf every chance he gets. 
For Thanksgiving the Ducksters united in Charleston where CD showed the out of town Ducksters--us--a fantastically great time, including a carriage ride of the historic French Quarter. She also turned herself inside out to make us a comfortable haven.  We love you CD.
Hopefully things are going to calm down now for both of us and we will resume our usually blogging activity of non events.

wireless internet

We have Verizon DSL  Slowly but surely our wireless was crapping out.  After much exploration we got a new modem/router from Verizon--2 hours with New Delhi-- and got that set up. Wireless improved but not fantastico.  Then after more exploration we got an ampled sr300 which was supposed to really really improve the signal strength.  Set up simple and automatic.  Yeah  Right.  Everything appeared to be going super until the last page of the setup.  All connectivity failed.  After two hours with tech support and several re-installs as well as rebouting and resetting everything we own except the Baby Girl--who BTW smells like bear poop--it WORKS !!!!!! Signal strength much improved not to mention my tech vocabulary.

Obsessed with..........

West Elm's Organic Cotton Pin tuck Duvet's... I have two, one in Sea Spray that I bought last year as a gift from my father. This year I bought the Slate colored one, again from my dad I thought the slate would be great since it would hide the pups muddy paws. It does that but I didn't think about Calli's hair color or just how much she sheds. Oh well, I love both colors, I want it in every color West Elm sells. I just love the texture they give the bed, its not what you normally see. The pin tucks are a challeng with the dogs and truth be told me. I am totally notorious for laying on it and then trying to move it at the same time, which is not a good idea. However, I have become an expert as sewing them back in. I have a few I need to get done on the sea spray one. My next two colors would be Sea Grass and Steel Blue, they are wicked expensive though and shipping kills me. I hate to pay for shipping, in fact I never do. With these I wait for them to go on sale and justify the shipping that way.

I also want the square tuck duvet in Dandelion.

Yes, it's excessive and unnecessary and I can here my father in my head going. You want, you want, you want.... Well that about sums it and me up sometimes. I do want...