Scarlet Pumpernickel?

How about Brown Pumpernickel Bread in a Bread Machine?



First, a couple of warnings:

Firstly, I have worn out a bread machine in the past because I use one every day at least once a day sometimes twice.

When you go to buy one, check out the warranty and whether or not it can cope with a decent usage rate. You get what you pay for.

Secondly, most of my recipes use 3 cups of flour or solids to 400mls fluid and 475mls to 4 cups of flour.

Check the ratios for your machine.

Add the ingredients in the order that your machine recommends.

Pumpernickel
475mls Water
2 tbspn Olive Oil
2 tbspn Molasses
1-2 tsp Coffee
2 tsp Caraway Seeds
1 cup Rye Meal Flour (Bakers Rye Mix)
1 cup Wholemeal Flour (Bakers Wholemeal Mix)
2 cups White Flour (Bakers White Flour Mix)
2 tsp Yeast

Put into your bread machine in the order specified by the manufacturer.

Either set the machine for a dough cycle and make yourself some rolls (delicious) baked @ 200*c for 30 minutes or if your machine can cope with a 4 cup recipe set it to bake a large loaf.

Sit back and wait.

Serve with anything you want: sliced meats, cubed tofu, cheese etc etc

This really is a delicious bread and the rolls are great for a picnic.

Hope you like.

Regards, Doc

The Beatles...

..."Strawberry Fields Forever"

Scarecrow grew and picked some of the strawberries

Well, not on the same day, but you know what I mean

What goes really goodly with strawberries?

How about some of the most delicious, creamy, rich home made ice cream

Easy Vanilla Ice Cream
Beat 2 eggs and ½ cup sugar until light
Add 1½ cups whipping cream, 1½ cups milk
1½ teaspoons vanilla
Combine well and churn in your ice cream machine for 20-30 minutes
Add ½ cup of your favourite pureed fruit for added flavour
It makes about a litre and I put it away in small serves.

To make strawberries and cream

Step 1
Get some strawberries. Who'd have thought?




Step 2 Get some ice cream. You keeping up so far?




Step 3 Bung them together on a plate




Step 4 With one hand holding Scarecrow back try to get some piccies

Step 5 Upload the pictures to your server and return to find an empty plate because you just were not quick enough! ...

...but live with the knowledge that your lover thoroughly enjoyed them

Regards, Doc

Workaround Workshop

Hi everybody

Long time between drinks, as they say, but I have been busy giving my daughter away in marriage

I could have sold her on e-bay but she declined

Anyhoo, thought I would just share a few simple, cheap (read frugal) ideas with you.

If you are a regular here...thank you. Be aware that I started this blog to share all sorts of stuff. Not rocket science but the sort of stuff I like people sharing with me.

If you are new here...welcome and feel free to look around. All sorts of stuff here in the form of hints, tips, toys, crafts, recipes, workshop stuff, how to's etc etc.

Today is a quick buzz around my workshop just to show how you can reuse just about any old stuff.


Firstly, a shelf for storage made from scrap ply and 4 x 2. Useful


Next, a rickety old cupboard becomes, erm, a rickety old cupboard with my stuff in



The inside of old fridges are used to store all sorts of useful stuff in the workshop.



Even old fridge doors can be used with rub-off pens for important messages

Note the old pencil sharpener thingy mounted near the top right hand corner.

I do not have pictures of them but the fridges have all been used as cupboards. Seem to have rescued many fridges from the local tip and from friends.


This old freezer has a piece of customwood attached and makes a great workbench. The tabletop workmate is attached to a base that folds up when not in use. Saves space


Never underestimate the use of the framework in your shed/workshop. Here I store some of my clamps.


Who doesn't have a set of drawers with all their nails and screws in?


An old filing cupboard stores my power tools inside and my dremel attachments are attached to the door. Fridge magnets keep track of vital information on projects and the like


Finally, stuck onto a recycled door to my storage area are 2 charts. One is a conversion chart, the other is a blade chart listing the various sizes and order details for my scrollsaw blades.

Well, that's it for now. See you again soon

Regards, Doc