Lunar-Tic

Okay, a warning

This is nothing to do with frugalling but I thought it was a great way to spend a couple of hours

We (me and Scarecrow) spent a couple of hours taking piccies of the recent lunar eclipse.

Okay, not the best quality but what a buzz to witness

Note to self: get out more

Regards, Doc

Pressing matters

A burger press is born

As you know, I like to make my own bread rolls

And I like to make my own burgers (with or without meat)

So what is needed is a burger press to ensure that the burgers fit nicely on the rolls

Well, here 'tis.

Whatjaneed
A can
A knob for a handle

Step 1 Simply cut the top and bottom off of the can.

Attach the knob to the lid and presto: instant burger press.


Yeah, I know, hardly rocket science but then this is a frugal blog after all

Regards, Doc

How Do You Stack Up?

How's this for cheap to keep?

For Scarecrow's recent birthday I asked what the old girl wanted for breakfast.

She said a stack of pancakes with whipped cream and my special non-maple maple syrup

Easy!!!

Pancakes
Whatjaneed
Some self raising flour
Some milk
1 Tablespoon butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 egg
Good frying pan (I use a solid cast iron one)
Non-maple maple syrup
Whipped cream
Strawberries optional
Sugar optional in flour mix

The reason there is no amount for the flour/milk is because the amount of flour/milk is determined by how thick you wish to make your pancakes.

Step 1
Bung it all in a bowl and mix with a mixer until it is of the desired consistency. Runny makes nice thin, roll up crepes (fill with strawberries and whipped cream and arrange on a plate), a thicker mix makes nice fluffy stacks like in the fa$t food restaurants but tastier

Step 2
Heat the fry pan and add a knob of butter. When hot (the pan, not you ) pour/spoon in a small amount.

When the mix stops bubbling, turn over and cook until golden.

Place on a pre-warmed plate.

Continue this process until you have the right amount (whatever that is).

Step 3
Cover the stack with syrup and top with whipped cream and eat or at least try and pinch one before serving to your loved one (hi Scarecrow)


Yummy.

Non-maple maple syrup
Whatjaneed
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
½ cup white sugar
1 tsp butter
½ tsp vanilla

Step 1
Combine the brown sugar and water and bring to boil.

Step 2
Caramelise the white sugar by heating it in a frying pan until the sugar melts and turns brown.

Be warned…
you need to constantly stir this during the process and watch for the change because it happens all of a sudden and can catch you unaware.

This is the voice of experience talking

Step 3
Add the brown sugar mix from step 1 (carefully, it splashes and spits ) and simmer until smooth and thick.

Step 4
Pour into a glass container containing the butter and vanilla.

It yields about one cup.

Use with pancakes, waffles, biscuits etc as a substitute for maple syrup.

No maples were harmed in the making of this mock maple syrup.

Enjoy

By the way, if you do step 3 too long, you can add nuts, pour the mix onto a tray to make toffee

Some people do this on purpose

Regards, Doc

Chinese ask Doc for secret

"Oh Honerable one, why do people like your toys but not ours?"

Don't know dudes, maybe it's the taste

With all the high-tech toys recalled, it's time to make some real toys

Some easy non-genetically modified, lead-free, non-Chinese, toys.

Whatjaneed
Some scrap wood from the 'project-in-waiting' box (or lumber for the Americans out there)
Some wood glue
Wheels
Balloons
Dowel both thick 'n' thin
4mm Plastic dripper pipe stolen from Scarecrow when she wasn't looking
Some olive oil or vegie oil for finishing
(or you could use the old lead based paints the Chinese use )

Just for your info
I was working on creating a gourd nativity scene using some of the gourds that Scarecrow grew for me.

All looked like it was going well (these dudes are standing on top of a small matchbox).

Unfortunately, I cut baby Jesus in half and then had a strange bout of bad luck so have decided to make a Noah's ark instead!!!

Balloon Boat
Cut out a boat shape.

Drill a thick piece of dowel through the centre.

Drill a matching hole in the boat.

Stick the dowel into the hole.

Drill a hole for the plastic pipe.

Cut the pipe and stick it in the hole with some really good glue. I use a 2 part Araldite mix.

Get some balloons and wack them on the large dowel.

Blow up via the pipe and drop into the bath and wacko, instant fun balloon boat!!!

Racing Car
Cut out the shape.

Cut out wheels and dowels.

Put it together.

VVVrrrooooom!!!

Drag Racer

Cut some thick dowel to length.

Cut some big and little wheels and dowel.

Drill holes for the dowel axles.

You can make a thingy for holding the dowel whilst you drill.

Put it together.

Sorry Mattel, but kids love these and when they are finished with olive oil they even taste good

'Till next time

Regards, Doc

Pot on, Dudes

Scarecrow requested that I make her a new hothouse so she could pot on her seedling thingies.

There was no hurry as long as it was finished on the weekend

For the guys out there, this is another babe magnet

Here ‘tis.

Whatjaneed
Star Pickets
Ag pipe (2” slips over the pipes but I only had a 200m roll of 1¾” pipe so had to attach them to the post with some wire)
UV Treated Plastic
Self tapping Screws
Washers made from 19mm PVC pipe to prevent the plastic being ripped if there is a breeze
Spirit level, to ensure the posts are in straight (yeah right)
Timber for framework

Step 1
Clear the area, as ordered/requested, cart the good soil to another area of the garden (especially to the furtherest(?) part of the garden because the exercise is good for you I am reliably informed)

Fill this with several millimetres of crusher dust (by-product of making big rocks into small rocks)

Step 2
Using a variety of measuring tools (eyes, hands and fingers) insert your posts into the ground to the size and shape of choice.

Step 3
Attach your pipe.

Step 4
Attach the framework for both stability and to give you something to attach the plastic to.

Step 5
Make a door frame

Step 6
Make a door, cover with shade cloth and attach to the door frame.

Step 7
Using the especially made washers attach the plastic to the framework.

WARNING:
if it even looks like it might get windy, do this another day or have enough red wines for you not to notice, because the slightest breeze makes handling the plastic a real riot, believe me

This is the end product. Not pretty, but practical.

The inside is ready for occupation.



Whilst I was making the door, Scarecrow completed the plumbing from the rainwater tank

The new occupants move in:

Pot on, Dudes

Regards, Doc