Tuesday, July 28, 2009

storing apples and pears.

Apples and Pears are easy to store, demanding only a box or shelf to sit on in a cool, dark, slightly damp environment. It is advisable to wrap each apple in newspaper to prevent mold. Make sure you store only the best fruit, removing all dubious-looking specimens which might ruin the healthy ones. It is also important that air can circulate around the fruit as poor ventilation will cause rotting.
Set Of 2 Personalized Apple Wall Hooks

Thursday, June 25, 2009

You Can Build It With Storage Shed Building Plans

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced carpenter, you can build good looking sheds, arbors, porch swings, gazebos and more simply by following the instructions, diagrams and blueprints found in your storage shed building plans. These are complete plans for building an entire outdoor shed, arbors, porch swings, gazebos and more. You can do it yourself and have a fabulous project to look back on.

You may obtain those building plans through searching the internet. The internet is the answer to so many researchers, it has almost all the answers to any question you may have. My google search resulted in a great find: a comprehensive guide which will have you building that shed in no time.

Building an outdoor storage shed can go a long way in helping you solve your home storage problems. Become the envy of the neighborhood by creating remarkable outdoor garden sheds. Whether you are building your first shed or your tenth; this building guide will provide all the plans for building a storage shed that you will ever need.

Pioneer Cedar Shed - 9' W x 9' D

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

How To Build A Gambrel Storage Shed

Author: Dan Lazaj

A gambrel shed, also known as a barn style shed, may be the perfect design for your homes landscape. There are two pitches on each side of the roof, which gives it a barn style look. You can get the most use of space with this type of storage shed.


Gardener Shed 6' x 6'

Building this might look difficult, but it is quite simple. The only difference between a gambrel and a gable shed is the roof. When building this or any other type of shed, take your time building the rafters. Make sure they are all exactly the same. One good way to do this is to build your first set and use it as a template to build the rest. Having them all exactly the same will give you a leveled roof.



Other Types of Sheds to Build



If a gambrel shed is not right for your home landscape, here are some other types you can consider.



Gable storage shed - This is the most common, there are two equal sides to both sides of the roof that meet at the top. This is the most common shed to build because of its simple structure, fits very well into most landscapes.



Lean-to-shed - This type of shed has a roof that slopes from back, and drops down to the front. This type is great if you don't have to much room, great for narrow spaces. You can put this kind of shed against your house or fence.



Salt-box - A saltbox is very similar to a gable except for the roof pith. A salt-box-shed will have an uneven pitch to the roof.



If you have ever wanted to add a shed to your home, there are many choices you can choose from. You can either assemble one using a shed kit, or buy lumber and build your own.



There are wide selections of kits you can buy. A kit will come in many different styles and sizes. Among the material to choose from are wood, vinyl, or metal. Assembling one should be pretty simple. The tools required to assemble a shed kit are very common to most households.



Buying lumber and building your own shed will be the best choice. If you don't want to spend to much, build it yourself. If looks are important, invest in some plans. Having plans will not only make this project easier to build, it will also make it turn out better. You can find many free plans online. You can also buy and download them, it will be a small investment to make.



Getting estimates from local handyman to do it for you might be something you will also want to consider. You won't have to do any of the work. If not having enough time to do it yourself is a factor, consider this choice. Get a couple of estimates and see if it can be done within your budget.



If you have decided you want to build your own, but are unsure how to build a shed yourself, start by looking online at the free plans. If you can't find any free plans that meet your requirements, buy some, they are very affordable. All plans should come with a material list, this will give you a good idea what this project will cost. Sheds are very basic structures which can be built by many homeowners.



As with any project, check with your building department for requirements and permits you might need.

About the Author:
Storage sheds are simple structures many beginner builders can build. Take a look at my site for more information on how to build a shed. I also have a list of sites with shed plans. MyStorageShed.Blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-build-a-gambrel-storage-shed-777302.html

Resin Vertical Tool Shed
A Year of Beer: 260 Seasonal Homebrew Recipes

Make Your Own St Patricks Day Beer

Author: Drew Brown

St Patricks Day is a feast day on witch people from all over the globe traditionally proclaim themselves as "Irish for a day" and usually do that with the consumption of Irish alcoholic beverages like St Patricks Day Beer and by wearing green-colored clothing. You can now create your own St Patricks Day Beer and in this article we will tell you how to start.



Who celebrates St Patricks Day?



Saint Patrick's Day or St. Paddy's Day is a feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick who was the patron saints of Ireland. St Patricks Day is generally celebrated on March 17 and is a feast that is widely celebrated all over the world and not just in Ireland, countries like Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and United States also celebrate this day.



What is good St Patricks Day Beer?



People usually drink Irish Stout or Guinness as a traditionally St Patricks Day Beer. The key ingredient of Irish beer is Roasted Barley like in the classic Irish Stout. This gives the St Patricks Day Beer a dry coffee like taste, a very dark color but still a white foam. You also see some green beer in the pups but this is usually not very nice to drink for people who like a good quality beer.



Make your own St Patricks Day Beer



Making your own beer is not difficult at all and with Irish beer this is no different. A lot of people received a beer brewing kit for Christmas or as a special Valentine's day beer gift and are now testing a lot of different recipes. Beer brewing kits are a great way to make your own beer, it's a nice hobby and the end result is a batch of the best beer you have ever tasted. You can drink it with your family or with your friends. If you are interested to buy beer brewing kits you can look at the website at the end of this article. But if you already own such great equipment you can now start brewing your own St Patricks Day Beer and have it ready in time, although Irish stout can be appreciated not just at St Patricks day only. It is a great beer all year round.



Ingredients



The best thing you can do is buy a Complete Irish Stout Package, this contains all the ingredients you need to make a tasty beer. The package contains an Irish Stout beer kit, 500 gm Light Dry Malt Extract, Dextrose and Carbonation drops. Follow the enclosed instructions and we are sure you can brew a great St Patricks day beer.



Celebrate in style



Do you know a better way to celebrate this feast day, almost the beginning of spring, all the people wearing green, everybody is happy and you are surrounded by your family and friends who are enjoying your own home brewed beer. Is there anything more rewarding than brewing your own St Patricks day beer? A Irish stout dark brew displaying coffee, chocolate and licorice aromatics, roasty bitter notes with a dry finish. Mmmm, I can't wait until the batch in my garage is ready to drink.

About the Author:
Drew Brown has one hobby, home made beer brewing and he loves to share it with the world. On his website he tells you all about Irish Beer and a great Valentines day beer gift.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/make-your-own-st-patricks-day-beer-777128.html

Homemade Root Beer, Soda, & Pop

Sunday, February 15, 2009

How to Make Citronella Tiki Torches

Author: Dawie Bester

Having a Tiki Party and need Tiki torches that can repel those irritating mosquito's and unwanted flies?


Orchos Miniature Torches Set of 4

Why not make your own citronella Tiki torches? Besides being great fun, you can spend the money you save by making your own torches on other Tiki decorations or ingredients for your Tiki drinks.



These candles are made slightly differently to ordinary candles in that they have a protruding stick through the centre of the candle to enable them to be planted in the ground and strips of brown paper are used in addition to the wick to produce bigger flames that should withstand almost any breeze.



The following instructions are for candles of approximately 20" but the basics would apply whether you are making 8" table top torches or 2' giant torches.



For this project you'll need:



- General purpose basic paraffin wax - approximately 5 lbs

- Brown paper cut into strips of approximately 1" wide

- Any wick that is suitable for 2" pillar candles - recommended : #1 square braid

- Wooden dowel approximately 3/8" in diameter and 20" in length.

- 1 ½ oz Citronella per pound of wax

- Dipping can

- Wax dye for colouring



Preparing the Sticks



Starting at one end of the stick, tape a strip of the 1" brown paper to the top end of the stick at a 45 degree angle with a piece of masking tape. Now wrap the strip of paper tightly around the stick going down the length of the stick until about half of the stick is covered. If the strip is too short add another piece so that you cover half of the stick with the brown paper.



Dipping the Sticks



Melt the wax and heat to about 180 degrees then add citronella and stir well for at least 2 minutes.



Set up the dipping can (any waterproof can or pitcher can substitute as a mold if you do not have a tall pillar mold) Fill to approximately 1" from the top and dip the prepared sticks, one by one, into the wax. The sticks should be dipped long enough to be fully coated but must not be left to stand in the wax. Once the sticks have been removed lean them upright against a piece of waxed paper. Top up the dipping can with more of the melted wax when necessary.


Yard & Garden Torches-Smooth Medium 60

Once the wax has hardened on the sticks the process must be repeated. Wax that is too hot, leaving the sticks in the dipping can for too long or not allowing the wax to harden before the next dipping will prevent the candles forming and you will notice that they are not getting any bigger. Wax that is too cold will result in a lumpy or streaky finish to the candle. Reheat the wax by placing the dipping can in a double boiler and heating.



Repeat the dipping process until the candle has reached about three quarters of the desired thickness. The wick must now be wrapped around the candle. The wick should be double the length of the dipped section of the candle. Leave at least 1" wick protruding at the top of the candle and using masking tape affix the wick onto the top end of the candle. Coil the wick around the entire length of the dipped section of the candle and then tape the wick to the bottom of the candle.



Once the wick is in place the dipping process must be repeated until the sides of the candle are smooth and the ridge formed by the wick is no longer visible.



Add wax dye to the reminder of the dipping wax and repeat the dipping process using the colored wax. To get a good solid color this process will need to be repeated several times.



Allow the candles to cool in an upright position leaning onto a piece of waxed paper.



The candles must now be left for at least 24 hours, but preferably 48 hours to allow the wax and citronella to bind.



When you need to use the Tiki torches plant them directly into the ground or in large flower pots unless you have made smaller table top Tiki torches in which case they can be placed in smaller table top flower pots.


Olympia Propane Patio Torches

These Tiki torches add to the island atmosphere at your next Tiki party but can be also used whenever you plan an outdoor meal as they are effective as mosquito and fly- repellents and are decorative and add a personal touch.

About the Author:
The author likes to give people advice on how to build a tiki bar. To learn how you can build a tiki bar yourself, visit tikibaradvice.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/how-to-make-citronella-tiki-torches-771668.html

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts

Author: Kathy Kafka

Alfalfa has been grown for many civilizations for over five thousand years. Alfalfa was planted in hot, dry regions of Mesopotamia before recored history. Alfalfa is grown throughout the world under extremely varied climatic conditions. Alfalfa seeds are in the legume family. The name "alfalfa" means "father of all foods. Alfalfa sprouts are full of nutrition. Research shows that sprouts are loaded with antioxidants, and are full of protein, chlorophyll, vitamins and amino acids. Sprouts contain enzymes which digest themselves. Alfalfa is the most famous sprout in the United States. It has a mild flavor, an abundant amout of nutrition, and easy to grow.


Nutritional information - vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. Also calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, carotene, chlorophyll, amino acids. Protein - 35%.


Sprouting Instructions: Yields approximately 2 cups of sprouts. Add 2 tablespoons of seeds to a mason jar with strainer lid. Rinse thoroughly with 60-70 degree water. First day, fill half way with water overnight to soak. Set out of direct sunlight and at room temperature, 70 degrees is optimal. The kitchen counter is fine. Rinse and drain twice a day. At the end of day 5 or the start of day 6 your sprouts will be ready to eat. Refrigerate your sprouts 8-12 hours after the final rinse and drain. Enjoy your sprouts in salads, sandwiches, or as a topping to any dish.


Seed to sprout: 5 to 6 days Yield: 7 to 1 Seed to shelf life at 70 degrees: 3 to 4 years Sprout shelf life: 2 to 6 weeks

About the Author:

Kathy Kafka is the owner of Complete Natural Blends, a company that offers natural products for natural health.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/alfalfa-sprouts-758366.html

Friday, January 16, 2009

Picture Framing is a Great Do it yourself Project

Picture Framing is a Great Do it yourself Project

Author: Susan Slobac

If you are an artist, or simply someone who enjoys displaying artwork around your home or office, you are going to need to frame your fine prints. Although you could have the art framed professionally, it is quite easy to do picture framing yourself.



With a few simple materials, you can be well on your way to displaying the paintings and photos that you enjoy. You will need to measure your picture first, so that you can obtain the proper sized materials for picture framing. After that, you will need to get an appropriately sized frame with glazing, mount board, mat board, some way to adhere the art to the mountboard, and a hanging mechanism in order to hang your picture if desired. picture frames come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, including metal and wood.



Usually paintings are framed in wood, while photographs use metal frames, but you can use either according to your picture framing taste and where the artwork will be displayed. Ready made picture frames are less expensive than custom frames, but if you have an unusually sized piece of artwork, custom frames could be your only option for picture framing. Ready made picture frames are readily available in many standard sizes. Picture frames will also need some type of glazing, and this can be sold with the frame or separately. Glazing can be glass or acrylic, and each offer specific benefits. Glass is very scratch resistant, but also rather heavy. Acrylic is lightweight but a bit more prone to scratching. However, it can also provide additional protection to your artwork by bringing ultra violet light protection and reduced glare to the framed art.



The picture is placed on the mount board and is adhered to it in some manner. Although adhesive can be used, it can often damage the artwork if you want to change out the picture frames. Photo corners or hinging tape can be used instead, and these often come in acid-free formulas so that no damage will come to the artwork, which can be removed from the corners easily. Alternatively, the mount board can be taped to the mat board using the hinging tape, with the artwork sandwiched in between. A lightweight but sturdy mount board will help to preserve your artwork. Using acid-free foam core mount board offers a great way to protect your artwork from damaging acids that can discolor its surface. The mat board is an important consideration for several reasons. Aesthetically, mats can be layered to highlight certain colors within the picture. In terms of conservation, mats also help to provide space between the artwork's surface and the glazing, and help to prevent moisture buildup that can damage the art. Utilizing all of these pieces, you can easily practice picture framing your artwork. Ready made picture frames can be used inexpensively, and picture frames can be chosen according to what you like and what works with your decor.

About the Author:

Susan Slobac is an avid photographer.Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it's a safeguard for something you love. In this article Susan talks about

picture framing.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/picture-framing-is-a-great-do-it-yourself-project-722397.html

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Building Your Own Brick Walkway

Many of the tools that you will need to make your own brick or paved pathway are familiar to any home repair project. If you have a yard, then you might already have a water hose, rake, shovel, and trowel. It's important for you to have safety goggles and hardwearing gloves for this, and a broom, hammer or mallet, measuring tape, and scissors are also needed. You will need string and poles, along with whatever you want to use for edging (brick, metal, wood, or plastic restraints), 2x4 or pipe sections to use for leveling the levels, and if using wood for edging, a drill and suitable bit. A wheelbarrow may be useful to haul supplies to the elected point. You should be able to rent a plate compacting machine and brick cutter from where you buy the key materials: bricks, gravel, and sand.
Be sure that you use materials specially meant for sidewalk or patio use. Gravel or crushed stone mixtures are an easier choice to a concrete base layer. Do not use everyday bricks, such as the kind found in fireplaces, for this; paving bricks do not have the holes found in everyday bricks, and thus are stronger and safer to be used for ground implementation.

To start, ensure that the area you desire for the brick is safe. Check for any utility lines that may be hidden underground, and tree roots that may be disturbed. Also make sure that there is some sort of slant or decline for run-off water, so that your yard or worse, your house, is not hurt from rain or snow that has nowhere to run off. To estimate the quantity of sand, gravel, and bricks you will need, figure out the square footage of the design. Sand and gravel are usually referred to in cubic yards and one cubic yard is equal to approximately 27 cubic feet or 324 square feet, at one inch depths of coverage. Between four and five 4x8 inch bricks are needed per square foot, depending on the size of the brick and the shape of the design. It's always better to have too much than too little, so get an extra five to ten percent of the full amount of bricks, to allocate for mess-ups, edging, or even practice cuts.

Jump in! Outline the area with yarn and posts, or a hose its if a circular design. Use a flat shovel to remove the dirt, (a trowel for any hard to reach areas), and then start layering the gravel. Use the compactor in between layering to ensure a smooth foundation. Once you start adding sand, use your leveling board materials to check for even levels by laying a couple of segments on the sand and running another piece over. Once smooth, eradicate the pieces and start applying the bricks and edging materials. Only pack down the bricks once you are sure of the layout. Fill in any gaps between the bricks with sand, and rake or brush through to settle it down. Repeat brushing for the first few times after rain, to further strengthen the inlay.

Give yourself a pat on the back! Clay-based paving bricks come in many tones of brown, cream, green, orange, pink, red, and glistening with metallic touches. You can have the traditional rectangular shaped brick or custom cuts, all of which are slip resistant, which is calming when walking in wet weather or barefoot. Common patio or walkway patterns include basket weave, herringbone, running bond, stacking bond, and all modification. Will you use a uniform or alternate model? Whatever you decide on, make your walkway a reflection of your personal taste.

If you are looking for an inexpensive home, be sure to view the San Diego affordable homes for sale or the San Carlos affordable homes for sale or maybe even the Sabre Springs condos for sale. These homes are inexpensive and they are beautiful.

April Walters writes articles on the ins and outs of real estate and home-ownership for her clients. Her real estate SEO sites win her client after client.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

How to Handmill Lye Soap

Handmilling is a fun way to vamp up your soap. Handmilling involves grating and melting down some week-old handmade lye soap in a microwave, doubleboiler, crockpot, or in a double-bagged ziploc dropped directly in gently boiling water. Whichever method you choose, the goal is to melt down your soap until it is runny or mushy. Be sure that after you grate your soap (use a cheese grater) that you add a little liquid to help it melt and avoid drying out. You can add water, milk, oil, an herbal infusion, fruit juice, or anything of that nature. Handmilling is far less "precise" practice than cold processing. As with cooking, in handmilling you just add a punch of this or that until the mixture looks about right. For one pound of shredded soap, I usually add about one cup of liquid. If you aren't sure, just add a little liquid as you go until it has the consistency that seems right to you.
Microwaving, while convenient, is probably the worst way to melt down your cold process soap because it doesn't thoroughly and uniformly heat the soap. For example, some parts of the soap can get dry and crusty while other parts are just starting to melt. However, some soapmakers swear by the microwave method. Be sure to microwave your soap in short bursts to avoid overcooking it. It doesn't take much for the soap to expand and spill out of the container.
Making Transparent Soap

Melting down your soap shreds in a crockpot slowly over the course of a few hours is supposed to produce the finest quality handmilled soap. The double boiler method involves boiling water in a large stock pot with your soap shreds sitting in a bowl on top of the pot. The steam heats and melts the soap in about 30-60 minutes. Don't let the pot boil dry. Probably the most popular and relatively simple way to handmill your soap is with double-bagged ziplocs in boiling water. With this method, place your soap shreds and liquid in a ziploc and place that into another ziploc. Place this in a pot of gently boiling water for about 30 minutes until it is soft or liquidy. The ziplocs will feel like they're getting thin in the hot water, but they will survive the extreme temperature just fine. The bags may also fill with steam as they boil—this is normal.

After you've melted your soap, mix in your additives (colorants, scents, dried herbs, etc) and mix well. How much scent or colorant should you add? Whatever looks right to you. Be sure to sniff the soap and make sure it smells a bit on the strong side as the scent will fade when the soap cures. If you are using the popular ziploc bag method, put your additives directly into the bag, seal it, and knead the bag. After mixing in your additives, cut a bottom corner off the ziploc and squeeze the handmilled soap out of the cut into the mold. Tap the mold several times on your countertop to help pack it down and remove air bubbles. Cover your molds with saran wrap and cure as usual.
The Natural Soap Book: Making Herbal & Vegetable-Based Soaps

For more information on this and other soapmaking topics, go to How2MakeSoap.Net. This website also offers free soapmaking video tutorials, pictures of the soapmaking process, free beginner soap recipes, and a 50-page soap “how to” ebook for $12.99. The ebook includes 39 one-pound soap recipes, 60 soapmaking pictures, and details on how to make your own soap recipes.

Monday, January 5, 2009

How to fillet a flounder

Let me tell you how I clean my flounder gigging catch. If you listen and do what I say your flounder should keep in the freezer for months and still taste fresh like the day you caught them. It is best to start keeping your flounder fresh the very minute you put them in the cooler. I put a couple of two liter plastic bottles filled with frozen water in the bottom of my ice box. Then make sure I cover my flounder with plenty of ice and always clean them the next day as soon as I can. To get started cleaning your flounder you need a fish scaler a six inch fillet knife that is sharp and a bowl that is large enough to hold your fillets. Rinse one of the two liter plastic bottles from the bottom of the ice box and place them in the bowl filled one half full of water. Now you have somewhere to put your flounder fillets so they will stay cold and will not dry out.( This keeps the flies and knats from getting on your flounder fillets also.) The first thing you need to do is scrap the scales from both sides of the flounder and rinse. Lay the flounder flat with the white side toward you so you can see a line running from the center of his tail up towards his gills. Using this line as a guide make a straight cut from the tail up to the gills. Now cut under the gills to the outside edges of the flounder making a tee. Make another tee at the tail.Carefully cut under the fillet from one end of the first cut to the other While using only the tip of the knife at an angle.Let the knife follow right against the bone while lifting the meat with your fingers. Repeat this process until you reach the edge of the flounder and cut the fillet from the bones. Check the fillet and trim out any small bones you may have missed. Now you are ready to put this fillet in the bowl of cold water and do the other half of this side using the same procedure. Now flip the flounder over and use the same process for the thick dark side. It may take a little practice to start with but keep practicing you will be a pro in no time. Now that you have your flounder fillets in a bowl I have one more thing that will help keep your flounder tasting fresh. Put enough fillets in a freezer bag for one meal. Now fill the bag with water until the flounder fillets are covered and squeeze all the air out as you seal the bag. Now you should have a bag with fillets and water and no air inside, ready to place in the freezer and enjoy eating later.

How to Test the pH Level of Hand-Made Soap

Soap: Making It, Enjoying It

There are a number of ways to test your soap. The old, at-home method is to simply touch the tip of your tongue to a bar of soap. If it tastes like soap, then everything is in order. If, however, your tongue gets a sting, this means your soap is lye-heavy and should be thrown out. After you touch your tongue to the soap, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. You can also buy litmus test strips to test your soap. The pH scale ranges from 1-14, with bases (alkalis) like lye on the low end and acids like vinegar at the high end. Your soap should be neutral on the pH scale—somewhere between 6 and 10. To test your soap, put a few drops of water on the surface of your soap and rub the test trip on it. Follow the instructions on the package of test strips. You can also buy drops of a solution called phenolphthalein online or at pool supply stores. You will put a few drops of the substance on your soap, and the color it turns will tell you the relative pH. Again, follow the directions of the bottle of phenolphthalein as each brand is different. Soap is notorious for being hard to measure the pH because the surface of the soap often yields completely different results than the center. Measuring the center accurately requires high-tech equipment. If you want to invest in an electronic pH meter, knock yourself out. However, in my opinion, it is easy to see if your soap is safe based on observing its appearance, smell, and taste.
325+ "No Stress" Soap Crafts and Recipes: Beginner to Advanced