One of the first questions you may have when you begin using dowel joinery is: What dowel size should I use? When woodworkers talk about dowel size most often they are referring to the diameter of the dowel. There is a general rule for diameter size (loosely based on mortise and tennon joinery) that will […]
Pumpkin cake recipe that is as easy to make as it is yummy. Just 5 minutes of prep time with this 8 ingredient recipe. It will be a family favorite. Ingredients: 15 ounce can of pumpkin 12 ounce can of evaporated milk Just over a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice 1 cup of sugar 4
A quick note of my late summer 2022 results with ollas and terracotta watering spikes. The image below shows a container of Dragon Wing Begonias. They are watered with an olla made from two clay pots glued together end to end. One of the drainage holes is plugged shut. The other drainage hole is corked
Note: My Results With Ollas and Terracotta Watering Spikes – 2022 Read More »
There are three different doweling guides for the Jessem doweling jig (model # 08350) that you can purchase separately or is included in the master kit (not affiliated).
Note: Three Doweling Guide Sizes for the Jessem Doweling Jig Read More »
What Is a Jessem Doweling Jig? A Jessem doweling jig (not affiliated) is used by woodworkers to easily and systematically create dowel joinery for woodworking. It is a premium tool that I would consider a lifetime tool because it is heavy-duty, well built out of anodized aluminum, laser engraved, and precise. The Jessem doweling jig
The holes in a homemade olla made from clay pots can be small. It can be hard to fill them. I have found it easiest to use a funnel with a tip small enough to fit in the hole. As shown in the picture above. Funnels are cheap and work quite well. Especially if you
I recently purchased a rain poncho and rain pants for my get home bag/go bag. I thought it would be helpful to make a list of alternative uses for a rain poncho or rain pants if someone finds themselves in a emergency survival situation.
Note: What Are Alternative Uses for a Rain Poncho in a Survival Situation? Read More »
Before I purchased my terracotta watering spikes I did read a few comments about algae growing inside clear bottles. I have found this to be true when the bottle is exposed to the sunlight outside. Below is an example: Although the algae could be considered unsightly, so far it has not affected how the watering
Note: Example of Algae Inside Clear Bottles – Terracotta Watering Spikes Read More »
The ideal sizes of grow bags for a variety of common fruits, vegetables, and herbs are listed in the charts below. Please note that the grow bag sizes listed below are measured in gallons which can make it difficult to determine how much soil it takes to fill it. I have also found that the
Note: Grow Bag Size Charts for a Variety of Common Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs. Read More »
I was getting ready to come up with a new recipe for homemade lip balm and a question popped into my head:
Note: Can I Make Homemade Lip Balm Just With Coconut Oil? Read More »
Terracotta self-watering spikes are an easy and effective way to keep your plants watered over a period of time without having to manually water them regularly. They can be use for garden irrigation (depending on your soil type) but they work best for container gardening in loose loamy soils. Terracotta watering spikes are quite simple
Note: How Do You Use Terracotta Self-Watering Spikes? Read More »
What are the primary ingredients for homemade lip balm? Unless you apply straight moisturizing oil or an oil butter to your lips, homemade lip balm can be made with as few as two ingredients whereas advanced recipes will feature three or more.
There are several benefits of using terracotta self-watering spikes for container or garden irrigation. Here is a list of a few of them:
Note: What Are the Benefits of Using Terracotta Self-Watering Spikes for Plants? Read More »
I was inspecting my homemade ollas today and I noticed dirt, stains, and mineral deposits towards the top of them. This is caused by sunlight exposure, weathering, and water evaporation.
Note: How To Clean Dirt, Stains, and Mineral Deposits From Ollas Read More »
This year I have decided to give terracotta self-watering spikes a try. I am trying them because they are simple and they work similarly to the DIY ollas I have been using quite successfully for garden irrigation and especially container gardening for years. How do terracotta self-watering spikes work? Terracotta watering spikes work because the
Note: How Do Terracotta Self-Watering Spikes Work? Read More »
Summary: Using a spray bottle and a washable microfiber mop as an alternative to purchasing a spray mop, Swiffer Wet Jet, cleaner, and pads.
Note: A Spray Bottle and a Washable Microfiber Mop: A Poor Man’s Swiffer Wet Jet Read More »
This is an easy no rinse homemade floor cleaner that is both inexpensive and effective. You can put it in a bucket, refill a spray mop, or refill a Swiffer Wet Jet bottle. You can also use it as a poor man’s spray mop by pouring it in a spray bottle, spray the floor, and
Cooking thawed chicken wings in an instant pot is a great time saver and the chicken comes out flavorful and juicy. Make sure you have a cup of liquid in the bottom of your instant pot. You can use water, broth, juice, etc. Place your trivet in your instant pot and place your thawed chicken
Note: How Long Do You Cook Thawed Chicken Wings In An Instant Pot? Read More »
Cooking frozen chicken wings in an instant pot is a great time saver and the chicken comes out flavorful and juicy. Make sure you have a cup of liquid in the bottom of your instant pot. You can use water, broth, juice, etc. Place your trivet in your instant pot and place your separated frozen
Note: How Long Do You Cook Frozen Chicken Wings In An Instant Pot? Read More »
So good so easy all you need is potatoes and some cooking oil for these oven potatoes. Wash your potatoes and slice them in half length wise. Pat them dry with a paper towel Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Pour some oil onto a corner of the cookie sheet, roughly an 1/8 of a
