How To: Raise Hams

Posted on November 16th, 2009 by Jean

“Come on, Tom. It’ll be fun!”, I pleaded. “It’s just you and me. I’ll set up my camera, and you grab your meat, all nine pounds of it.”

Fits of laughter.

“Ok, I’ll take my big cannon and show you who’s boss.” Tom cajoled.

More laughter and innuendo.

The buzz of the evening wore off, but the playful conversation lingered in my head. Was he ready for his close up? Yes, actually he was. While I set up the tripod, he cleared the counter and set up an array of spices and secret ingredients for we were making an instructional video. Not the type Carrie Prejean would record but an honest to goodness How To video for making jerky.

I should call him One Take Tom for he could expound on the subject without missing a beat. It was hard to decide what should fall to the cutting room floor, or be deleted via iMovie. He’s my husband, and I felt a bit guilty omitting recorded episodes of meat grinding, salt sprinkling, and the tearing open of hot pepper packets. But cut I did, and replaced with photos overlaid with text. Even with all the snips, the video runs nearly seven minutes long. I’ll post the YouTube link below for those interested in jerking their meat.

With Mommy and Daddy making videos, it seemed natural when my seven year old asked to record her recipe for a soda drink. She wrote down her ingredients, sending Tom to the store for more Diet Coke. She had plenty of Pepsis which are on hand for guests. Her little sister was her lovely assistant, nodding her head and chiming in at just the right moment. I think my girls had a lot of presence for seven and four. Who else but a child would combine the two powerhouses of cola?

• Coke or Pepsi?
• Carrie Prejean, Donald Trump, or Perez Hilton?
• Behind the camera or in front of it?

Tom’s YouTube debut! How To: Make Elk Jerky

Homemade Lip Balm

Posted on September 14th, 2009 by Jean

As the holidays approach, I thought it would be fun to create homemade gifts. The kids and I decided on lip balm.

Google led us to The Ponte Vedra Soap Shoppe, Inc. for the whole shebang: recipes, ingredients and containers. We chose Vegan Lip Balm flavored with Lemongrass essential oil.

Round labels were purchased at OnlineLabels.com.

Total cost was $4.74 per gift (16 gifts total). You may be able to cut costs by shopping locally.

This craft project was total teamwork! I melted the wax while the kids mostly sniffed the products. I helped them measure, and they carefully added ingredients to the pot. I poured the balm into the tins, and they sealed and labeled them.

These tins come with shrink-wrap bands that seal around the product when blow-dryer heat is applied. What a nice touch!

Warning: If you’re like me, you might ruin your measuring cup, wooden spoon, and cooking pot. I set mine aside for future waxy projects.

• Will you create homemade holiday gifts?
• Where do you find the best price for craft supplies?
• How do you clean up after creating a waxy gift?

Blogging Notes 6

Posted on April 26th, 2008 by Jean

This weekend marks the 26th Annual Laughlin River Run, an event which draws an estimated 60,000 motorcyclists to our area.
 

 
We haven’t ventured over to partake because Pearl has an earache & fever, plus the winds have been howling.
 
Speaking of motorcycles, I once had my driver’s license picture taken while sporting helmet hair.
 

 
Yep, husband 2, that bastard, had the bright idea we should take his motorcycle to the DMV.
 



 
My Mom’s home remedy for earaches was melted butter.
 

 
Melt the butter in a saucepan (we didn’t have microwaves back in my day), and pour directly in the ear canal. Cap with a cotton ball.
 
I googled this, and sure enough, it is an old remedy! Right along side blowing cigar smoke in one’s ear, or heating a brick and resting your head on it.
 
Do you have any home remedies to pass down?
 


 
I once lived on San Pablo Dam Road.
 

 
When I called my credit card company to tell them I lived on the Dam Road, they didn’t believe me.
 

 
Surprisingly my statement arrived although addressed to San Pablo Road.
 


 
When you google the phrase Oh No She Didn’t, you get this…
 

 
Apparently, yes she did!
 


 
My daughter, Natalie, loves to google images! In fact, she’s the one who taught me.
 
Natalie-ism:
 
Natalie: Mom, spell Barbie.
 
Me: B-A-R-B-I-E
 
Natalie: Mom, spell games.
 
Me: G-A-M-E-S
 
Natalie: Mom, spell balls.
 

 
Houston, we have a problem!

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