Update On Making Malt Vinegar

On June 29, 2009 we wrote a post on an experiment we decided to try, making malt vinegar. Here is an update.

Between June and September we looked at and smelled the "vinegar" every few weeks, things were looking good.

On September 26th the one with the bread had some mold on it, so we removed it and put the liquid into a clean jar. The other looked fine.

On October 25th we took off more mold and decided to add some apple cider vinegar "mother" to it, hoping that the mother would get the vinegar going.

By November 29th the whole thing was moldy so we threw it away.

The jar that did not have the bread still smelled fine, but just like stale beer. We decided to add some mother to that as well in hopes that it would get the vinegar process started.

Rhubarb Saute

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup garlic scapes (or 2 cloves); sliced
1/2 cup rhubarb; sliced thin
1/2 cup mushrooms; sliced
1 cup pea pods
1/4 cup water
maple syrup; to drizzle
feta cheese; crumbled

Heat butter over medium heat. Add garlic, saute about 1 minute.

Add rhubarb, saute about 2 minutes.

Add mushrooms and cook until they give up their moisture.

Add pea pods, saute 1 - 2 minutes and add 1/4 cup water and saute until water is gone.

Move to serving bowls, drizzle maple syrup over and add crumbled feta cheese on top.

Serves 2

Hot Weather Solar Water Experiment

Have you ever noticed how hot water can get in a garden hose that has been lying in the sun? There have been times when we have almost burned ourselves (or killed innocent plants) from just such a thing. This inspired us to do our hot weather solar water experiment.

Here is the list of our materials:

100’ of 1 ½” black plastic water pipe
4 12’ 2 x 8s painted black
8 90° elbows
2 garden hose adapters
16 pipe clamps
Plumbing strap to hold pipes to 2 x 8s
2 garden hoses
Miscellaneous screws

Our wood shed roof is about 30 feet long, so cutting the 100 feet of plastic into 4 pieces, each 25’ long, worked well for us.

We secured the 2 x 8s to the roof, two of them end to end to give us 24’. We made 2 rows, with about 6” in between the rows.

Next, we cut the pipe into 25’ sections, laid them flat and attached them to the lumber; each board has two rows of pipe. We then attached the elbows and pipe clamps.

The cold water goes into the bottom piece of pipe from a garden hose that is connected to our outside water faucet. The system fills from the bottom up to the top pipe. The other garden hose is connected to the top for the hot water to come out. This hose we have connected to a separate faucet at our kitchen sink.

It takes a little time for the hot water to get to the sink, but has worked out great for doing dishes and cleaning up.

Next summer we will try adding some wooden sides around the pipes to help hold in more heat. We can not enclose the pipes because the pipe will only withstand temperatures of about 160° to 180°

This photo shows where the two garden hoses will be connected.

Sunday Morning Doughnuts

Sunday Morning Doughnuts

2 cups flour
2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 large egg
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup honey

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well (clean hands work great for the job).



Turn onto a floured board and knead for a few minutes. Let rest.



Roll out to about 1/2" thick and cut out with a doughnut cutter.





Heat about 4" oil (vegetable oil works fine, we use lard) to 360°F

Fry 3 or 4 doughnuts at a time, turning when one side is browned - fry until both sides are nicely browned.


Drain on paper towels or on a paper bag. Makes about one dozen doughnuts.

Holiday Decorating, Giving New Life

As the holidays approach we look for creative ways to decorate that don’t cost a lot of money. What better way than to give something in your home new life.

Each year we search the cupboards for items that can serve dual purposes; this year we are using wine glasses as candle holders. Candles add a cozy and festive touch to any meal, and a tea light placed in the glass is all it takes.

The glasses can be plain or fancy, short or tall. Having different heights together can make a lovely arrangement. Place them on a tray; add some greens and you have an instant centerpiece.

Decorative bowls can also be used as candle holders. Add glass beads for a sophisticated look, or polished stones for more of a natural feel.

There are many options, just be creative and start experimenting!

Wood Fired Water Heater

For about 5 years we have had a propane on-demand water heat for all our hot water needs. Last year we had the chance to get a second hand wood fired water heater. It ain’t pretty, but it sure does the job.

We tapped into the hot and cold lines of our on-demand water heater and plumbed in the wood fired one and connected valves so that we can isolate one or the other.

Since there is no way to regulate the temperature of the water, we piped the pressure relief valve into an old copper water heater (which had belonged to my great-grand parents) that we use as a holding tank. This way if the water gets too hot and blows off it goes into the extra tank (instead of all over the wall….this actually happened and was quite a wake up call). We then can drain the copper tank into a bucket, there is a valve at the bottom that we attached a short hose to, and once it has cooled it can be used to water animals or plants.

One thing that I really love about the wood fired water heater is that we can burn sticks and all sorts of small scrap pieces of wood. The tank holds about 5 to 6 gallons of water, plenty for a nice hot shower. In fact, it works so well that we shut off the propane water heater last winter and it hasn’t been on since!



The copper holding tank is situated behind the chimney so I can't show a picture of it. The plumbing goes in behind the chimney.


Picture of water heater with door removed to show the fire box. We have the heater up on a metal stand to make using it easier.

Prepared Horseradish

Horseradish is an easy plant to grow and harvest, simply dig up some roots! We have tried many ways to preserve it, but this recipe has worked well; it is easy and tasty!

Prepared Horseradish

1 cup horseradish root
1/2 cup vinegar

Wash horseradish root and peel.
Chop the roots and put in a blender with the vinegar.
Blend until well chopped. Be careful removing the lid, the horseradish will be quite strong.
You can also grate the root by hand and then add the vinegar, mixing well.
Pack into clean jars and store in the refrigerator.
Prepared horseradish will start to loose its strength after about a month.