Sunday, November 04, 2012

Did It Myself

Why blog about big exciting things like cruises and holidays and...well, that's it...but why blog about those thing when you can blog about small crafty things you accomplished?  The answer is this: it's a lot faster to talk about crafts than a big trip.  Hold tight, cruise, I'll get to you one of these days.  

Anyway, the last few weeks I have been trying to make some things that we generally buy.  I'm not clear on my motivation, but I think sometimes I see these how-to things as a challenge from no one the universe.  I just like putting my fist in the air and saying, "I can make that!"  One day I will make my own flag to wave in these moments. 

Thing the First: Freezer Jam


I am daunted by the canning process.  I don't actually know what that process is, but I know it involves a lot of pots and a lot of jar boiling.  So, you can see the appeal of freezer jam for me, which involves no pots or jars or stoves.  I used the recipe that came with the pectin but it is essentially this: mash the fruits up, add some pectin and sugar and put it in the un-boiled container.

Thing the Second: Ranch dressing


I re-stumbled upon this recipe and, since we were out of ranch anyway, I decided to give it a whirl.  I have never been huge on ranch, but the Mister would happily use it on anything so we go through bottles regularly.  And while he would gladly eat any kind of ranch, I think this is already my favorite kind!  It's closer to the Cafe Rio ranch than, say, Hidden Valley, but...the Cafe Rio kind is better than Hidden Valley anyway.  

Thing the Third: Glass cleaner


Lately I have been intrigued by homemade cleaning supplies, and this was my first foray (I used the winning recipe found here).  I tried it out in the bathroom, and it cleaned up nice.  No, it wasn't the most amazing glass cleaner in the world and it does run, but since our bathroom is small and windowless, I appreciated the lack of ammonia fumes.  
Plus it works pretty well for general cleanup, as you can see from how I cleaned off the windowsill before taking the picture.  

Now all I have to do is not get it mixed up with this bottle of water for Drew's haircuts: 

   
You know what else I can make myself?  A sandwich press. 

4 comments:

  1. Aren't big events so daunting when it comes to blogging?!

    Fun dyi-ing over there! Freezer jam is so delicious. Maybe even better than canned. But I run out of freezer space.

    Once you go to homemade ranch, you'll never want go back.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I need to get myself one of those sandwich presses! Ha ha! Way to be home-ec-erific!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That sandwich press is amazing. And if you're interested in more preserving of various foodstuffs, I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Jam-It-Pickle-Cure-Projects/dp/1580089585

    GOOD STUFF IN THERE.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I approve of all of these things! I think the jam is just as good as other kinds, if not better. And yes, I do love any kind of Ranch dressing, but I also agree that I already think yours is the best. It's a little bit Cafe Rio, and a little big Brick Oven, and everyone around here knows those two places have the best Ranch dressing.

    As for the haircutting bottle... As long as there aren't chemicals in the new glass cleaner, it couldn't be the worst thing ever to use that by accident, would it? Nevertheless, let's be sure to double-check before my next cut, ha.

    I love that grilled cheese press, ha ha ha.

    ReplyDelete