Living By The Scientific Method

It's funny, the things that happen in your life that have an impact.  I try my darnedest to remember some things and can't retrieve them from my memory bank no matter how hard I try.  Then there are other things that I remember for no good reason at all.  Don't laugh now, but I remember learning the scientific method in seventh grade.  Without realizing it, I use it often.  In fact, I used it today.

I think I missed my calling in life.  I should have opened a business called "Barb's Small Appliance Repair".  Yes, I just saved another small appliance from the dump.  This time it was a small inexpensive humidifier.  As winter approaches in Wisconsin, we switch from dehumidifying the humid summer air to adding humidity when the furnace dries out the winter air.  It was time to run a humidifier in our bedroom.  I retrieved it from the basement and set it up.  It ran all night, but when I got up in the morning, I stepped on wet carpet.  The darn thing was leaking.  This is where the scientific method comes into place.  That is a better approach to saying "What the H...".

1.   Ask a question:

 Why was our wet carpet?

2.   Do background research:

Ask husband if this had happened before.  Look to see if the wet carpet could have come from another source.

3.  Construct a hypothesis:

First I looked for possible causes of the problem.  Since we don't have a pet to pee on the floor and the carpet was wet under the humidifier,  I hypothesized that either the unit was leaking or the mist was condensing on the floor.

4.  Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment:

I split the humidifier into two sections.  The first was the water tank itself.  I added water and set it on the counter.  A half hour later I checked for leakage.  No water had leaked out of the tank.  Next I put water in the base unit and followed the same procedure.  Walla, a large puddle of water appeared on the counter.

5.  Analyze your data and draw a conclusion:

Since the water leaked out of the base unit, I concluded that is where the problem was.

 6.  Report your results.  Was your conclusion correct?

Since I knew the source of the problem, I looked for a way to examine the unit.  I saw six screws were holding the plastic lower section to the upper section of the base.  I got a screwdriver and removed those screws.  The bottom came off easily.  Inside the unit I could see there was only one place where water could be leaking through.  It was covered by another plate secured with three screws.  I removed those screws and saw a small disk surrounded by a gasket.  I loosened the gasket and cleaned some lime deposits and grit from it.  I reassembled everything.  I figured I hadn't dried the unit out completely when I put it away last Spring.  The water had evaporated and left the residue.  I tested the humidifier again.  I filled it with water, and I turned it on.  Everything looked good, but just to be safe I put it on a rubber mat.  The kind you put wet winter boots on.  In case it leaked, the carpet would remain dry.  I ran a whole gallon of water and everything is fine. 

Who would think that lessons I learned in seventh grade would help me in life.  Without realizing it, every problem can be solved this way.  It eliminates knee jerk reactions and second guessing.  In most things the process is quick but for more difficult things it is a logical approach to decisions.  At least it works for me.  Some people thrive on drama and the excitement of the unknown.  The jump in with both feet approach works for some, but not for me and I have a $30 humidifier that didn't get thrown into the land fill.

What Is A "Real" Tree?

When my daughters were young we always put up a "real" Christmas tree.  Sometimes we would go to the woods and cut one down or go to the Christmas tree lot for the perfect tree.  Then my youngest daughter started to develop allergies to the tree.  It was probably the dust and pollen that remained on the needles as opposed to the pine or fir itself.  We decided we needed to buy an artificial tree.  I didn't like doing it at first.  All my life we had fresh Christmas Trees.  Then I realized it was a "real" tree because of what it symbolized.  I imagine the harmful chemicals emitted by the plastic tree was probably more harmful than the pollen, but the immediate effects were gone.  Also gone was the stress of getting the tree (which was always way too large) into a stand.  I wanted it straight even if the main branch was more crooked than a dog's hind leg.  The third reason was that it didn't need watering, so the left over needles on the floor and the fire hazard were eliminated.  So forevermore we have had artificial Christmas trees.  They have come a long way with how they look and the ease of putting them together.  In the past, each branch had to be inserted into the proper slot.  If you did it wrong the shape would be out of wack. They were color coded but that wore off so each branch had to be marked for the next year.  Now they just snap into place and look almost alive.  The only gripe I have is they smell like nothing as opposed to a nice fresh spruce smell.   Recently I was able to somewhat solve that problem.

Hidden away on my tree are some decorations I made.  I put the gingerbread man front and center so you can see it.  I have some other smaller stars and trees made the same way.

This is what I did.  First I purchased this product.  It is air dry clay by Crayola.  This one comes in the terracotta color similar to gingerbread.  It also comes in white and probably other colors.  There are also other brands at the craft store, but this was the least expensive.

I found some cookie cutters that were open on each end.  I tried the regular type cutter, and I couldn't get the clay out.  I needed to push the clay through.  It is quite sticky.  It also needs to be rolled out like sugar cookie dough but quite thick or it will break.  I would roll them to at least 3/8 inch thick.

Use this type of cookie cutter.

Not this type.  The clay sticks in the grooves.

After the clay is cut out, some type of indentations need to be put in the shape.  These indentations hold the essential oil which is put on after the ornaments are dry although the porousness of the ornament will also absorb the oil.

It takes about three days for the clay to dry.  Don't move it too soon.  I did with the star and the tip broke off.  I wet it a little and pushed it back together.  I didn't touch it again until it was completely dry.  So far so good, but there are no guarantees.  Also make a hole in the top when the clay is wet.  You can use the hole to put a hanger through for hanging on the tree.  A downside is clean up.  The terracotta color stains so cut out and dry on parchment or freezer paper.  Wash the cookie cutters right away or you will have to scrub.  A dishwasher comes in handy for this.  Then cleaning is not a problem.

When the ornaments are completely dry,  put some drops of essential oil in the grooves or anywhere on the ornament.  I used evergreen oil on the first two.  It smelled a little musty using it straight.  I have been playing with other woodsy oils.  I added some eucalyptus which helped a little but I'm not there yet.  Maybe a little peppermint will work.  It is all personal preference.  One container of clay will make many ornaments, plus I am sure they will last from year to year.  Next Christmas you can just refresh the oil and your work is all done.

I even put a little essential oil on the pine cones and the trees in my villages.

Long Ago Christmas Memories

I haven't posted anything for quite some time.  My wildlife stories have become repetitive.  My holiday decorations are so similar, I can't tell the years apart. If you are curious and a new reader, just type Christmas in the search box or any other topic you are interested in from my world like knitting or recipes.  A list of some of my older blogs will appear.  I have written over six hundred, so maybe there is something of interest to see.

Since I have written so much about recent times, I decided to post a few pictures of Christmas's when I was a child.  It is no secret I am sixty eight years old.  Most of my Christmas photos are from the 1950's.  It is so much fun to see how different things looked back then.

The first year's picture is from the late forties.  My sister wasn't born yet, so I was the queen bee. I was my grandparents oldest grandchild.  That all changed rather quickly, but for a few months it was all about me.  It looks like I got a dolly bed, doll buggy and a doll.  Of course I don't remember any of these Christmas's, so I am so happy I found a box of old photos and recognized myself.

The Cabin Countess at age 2 in about 1949.

Then I found this beautiful colored picture.  It says May 1952 on the back, but it is clearly Christmas so I assume it was from the previous Christmas of 1951.  Those were the days when the cameras had to use film and then a completed roll of film had to be developed.  Then the date it was developed was usually stamped on the photo, not the date it was taken.  Who would have guessed about digital photography of today?

This is left to right, Carol (my dad's cousin), Mark (my cousin), Me, sister Janice 1 year old and Jeff (dad's brother).

The next one I found didn't have a date on it, but it looks about the same year as the one above.   It looks like I am about 4 years old.  I probably liked the coveralls I had on more than the dress.  Notice the old phone on the table.  This is in the house my parents lived in for much of their retirement years.  They lived there from 1998 until they had to move due to ill health in 2011.  This house was in the family for a long time.  My parents and my grandparents took turns owning this house for as long as I remember.

I believe this is the Christmas of 1951 when grandma and grandpa lived there.

We lived in Neillsville, Wisconsin where I was born for a few years, then we moved to Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, back to Neillsville, then Black River Falls, back to Neillsville again, and then sometime in the fall of 1954 my family moved back to Black River Falls Wisconsin.  This was the first Christmas in the new house on Pine St.  We thought it was a beautiful house but driving past it later in life, it was a very small house.  That is true with most of my childhood homes.  Things seem so much bigger from a child's eyes.

We always had Christmas on Christmas morning.  We always had to wait for Santa Claus to come.  Unlike kids now, we didn't get something everytime we went to a store.  I don't even remember going to that many stores.  This was before there were malls or shopping centers.  Mom saved everything we needed to be wrapped up for Christmas.  We got underwear, socks, pajamas, winter coats, and then a couple toys.  Christmas morning was always so exciting.   The stockings we are holding were made by my mom's very best friend.  When I became an adult, I copied the pattern and made several over the years.   Even the Christmas stockings were smaller back in the day.

My sister and I are holding our empty stockings.

The old stocking is on the left, new on right.

It looks like baby dolls were the main gift that year.

The next Christmas was in the same house.  It looks like we had a very abundant Christmas in 1955.  It is so much fun seeing the toys.

Here we are in our pj's again, only this time we have our hair set for church.

Notice how everything revolves around domestic activities.  Taking care of babies, ironing, and washing clothes.  This was way before the woman's liberation movement and back then the girls received "women's work" gifts.  I do see a sled for a little recreation.

Dolls, a buggy, toy washing machine,  an ironing board and a sled.  Wow!

I think the next photo was the Christmas of 1957.  Our family had moved to Stoughton, Wisconsin the previous February.  We first lived in an upper apartment. Then we moved to the lower unit.  Although the curtains are the same, the floor and walls are different so I believe this is either the upper or lower apartment in Stoughton.  There is no date on this photo either.  We were sad about moving again, so it looks like Santa bought bikes for us.  Either that year or the next we also got ice skates.  My dad flooded the backyard so we could go skating every day after school. 

New bikes this year and I don't even remember getting them. 

Within a couple years my parents built a house, and we moved from the two flat.  I think this was the first Christmas in the new house.  We lived there until I was a junior in high school. We had a lot of snow that year.

Although the houses are different, unfortunately our hair styles remained the same.

It's fun to look back and see how much times have changed.  It was a quieter and a more naive time.  We can never go back for real, but somehow these Christmas photos helped relive happy times that have passed.

Dairy Free Hamburger Buns

I haven't posted a Tuesday recipe for a long time.  I used to post recipes every week, but Facebook has become so full of delicious recipes, it seemed everyone was flooded with new things to make.  However, today I thought I could share a hamburger bun recipe I made.  In October we had some friends visit.  She is very lactose intolerant so it was important not to feed her anything with dairy.  Her allergy includes butter so that made it even more interesting to come up with something.  I had made bread for a family friend who had thyroid surgery and for a couple weeks couldn't eat anything that contained iodine.  I came up with a recipe for bread she could eat using only water, oil, flour, yeast and non-iodized salt.  I thought I could convert that recipe into hamburger buns.  It worked out well.  So well, in fact, that I made the recipe into dinner rolls for Thanksgiving.  Easy, fast and no unusual ingredients or additives.

Loaf of bread made without dairy or iodized salt.

Hamburger Buns or Dinner Rolls

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour

I used the kitchen aid mixer first using the flat beater.

In the mixing bowl combine warm water (not too hot), yeast, sugar, oil, salt and 2 cups of the flour.  Start mixing gradually adding another cup of flour.  At this point, I change to the dough hook and mix in another cup of flour.  I set the timer and let the mixer with the dough hook knead the dough for 5 minutes.  If the dough is a little sticky you can add a little more flour until the dough doesn't stick to the side of the bowl.  Then cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rise for about an hour or more until it has doubled in size.

I then punched down the dough and poured it out on a slightly greased surface.  I flattened out the dough and cut into equal pieces.  Each piece gets rolled into a ball and placed on a greased baking sheet.  I actually got out the food scale and weighed the rolled ball so each was the same size.  For the hamburger buns I made them 3 oz. and dinner rolls I made them 1 oz.

Cover the dough and let them rise again on the baking sheet.  The picture shows them all on one sheet, but I actually raised them on two baking sheets.  It takes another hour until they get to the size you want.  Bake in a preheated oven (400 degrees) for 14 minutes.

The Thanksgiving dinner rolls.  The batch made 30 rolls.

Do You Always Get What You Pay For?

Many people believe you get what you pay for.  In many ways this is true.  A million dollar house is going to have more amenities than a one hundred thousand dollar home.  A Mercedes-Benz will probably have more features and power than a Ford Fiesta.  I don't know that for sure because I have never owned either.  I do know my MacBook Pro is still going strong after having it for nine years and my husbands Asus computer only lasted two years plus he had to pay for anti virus protection which I haven't had to do.  My Dyson vacuum cleaner has by far outlasted any Hoover I have ever owned.  That being said there are several things you don't have to waste your money on.  I can't think of anything at the moment, but I am sure there are several.  Oh wait, I can think of something.  Recently I organized all of our old photos.  I had inherited photos from many family members.  As sad as it is, there were many old photos of people I couldn't recognize.  It is very important to label photos of people so future generations can identify them.  As I was going through photos, I found some other paperwork.  One thing I found was a warranty certificate.  As I was reading it, I realized it was for a casket.  My dad had an aunt who died in 1971,  Either her husband or the funeral home thought it was a good idea to buy this insurance.  It claimed that the casket was made according to the highest standards.  It was supposed to be resistant to air and water.  Then at any time within 25 years, the casket would be replaced if it failed to be waterproof, airtight or if the seal failed.  My question is how would anyone know?  It is six feet underground and unless you're a grave robber, you wouldn't be digging it up to see if the seal is holding.  I know on rare occasion, a body needs to be exhumed.  This doesn't happen too often.  I know from experience that the medical examiner has to determine if someone died under strange circumstances.  If there is doubt, they look into the matter before burial.  It just seems like a scam to me.  Go to a cemetery sometime and let me know if someone is buried in a fancy expensive casket that is under warranty or if the person is in a pine box.  Betcha can't tell.

More than 25 years have passed, so we can breath easy.

Let's Make A Pair Of Mittens

As most of you know, I am a knitter.  I taught myself to knit from a Learn To Knit book when I was in sixth grade.

I did need some help learning to purl from my long time friend's mom.  Wendy, I still remember the light bulb moment when she showed me.  It took thirty seconds, but made everything click for me.  My first project was mittens on four double pointed needles.  I remember they were blue, and I was very proud.  Now I am seeing on Facebook and through other knitting sites they offer instructional videos for $39.99.  I find it hard to believe people will pay that much for something I could learn by myself as a child.

There are two schools of thought for knitters.  One type I call knitting purists.  They will only use super valuable yarn, buy designer patterns and spend tons of money on a project.  I guess they think their time is worth so much more than I do.  I agree that money can be invested in a classic sweater that will remain in style and last a lifetime.  I also believe if you are a hard to fit person, perhaps making an item that is custom fit is necessary.  For the most part, I belong to the other school.  I believe knitting is therapeutic and fun.  It should be made for the least amount of money possible.  I buy yarn on sale,  at thrift stores and garage sales from people who buy expensive yarn and then donate it when the project doesn't work out.  Why make a pair of kids mittens (which will most likely get lost) for $12 when you can buy a pair for 99 cents or make them for 50 cents.

For those who don't want to spend $40 on a video on how to make mittens, I am posting this little tutorial for free.  I hope you can follow my instructions.  Any type of knitting worsted weight yarn will work.  Recently at Joann fabrics I found a bag of mill end yarn.  Some of the colors were  NFL football team colors.  I found some orange and black self striping yarn which happens to be our grandson's school colors.  It did cost $7.98 but with some store discounts, I did get a couple dollars off.  There is 14 oz. in the bag which is quite a lot of yardage.   I have made two pair of mittens and a hat and only used half the yarn.

This is the packaging for the yarn and the 9" circular needles
 plus the double pointed needles I used. 

Classic Knitted Mittens for a Child

These mittens will fit a child about 8 to 10 years old.  Adjustments can be made for other sizes using the same general instructions.  There are a lot of patterns on the web.  For this pattern I used a size 3 and a size 5 needle.  I like using 9 inch stainless steel circular needles but using double pointed needles will also work.  In fact, you will need double pointed needles for the thumb and finishing off the top of the mitten.

I cast on with the larger needle (size 5) and then knit the stitches for the cuff with the smaller needle (size 3).  This gives the cast on some stretch and the cuff made with a smaller needle makes a snug fit around the wrist.

Begin by casting on 36 stitches.  Place a stitch marker and begin knitting Knit 2, Purl 2 around the row.  Continue placing the knit stitches over the knits and purl stitches over the purls.  This will make the ribbed cuff.  Knit in this manner for three inches or longer if you want the cuff to come up higher on the wrist so it fits under the coat cuff.

This is the knit 2, purl 2 ribbing, but knit 1, purl 1 would also work.

Switch to the larger needle (size 5 in this case) and begin knitting every stitch around.  Transfer marker on each row.  Knit even for three rows.  On row 4, slip the marker and increase on the first stitch of the row, then knit 1 stitch and increase in the next stitch.  Place another marker and finish knitting the row.  The stitches between the markers will be your thumb stitches.  Knit even around for rows 5 and 6.  On row 7, slip marker and increase on the first stitch of the row, then knit 3 and increase in the stitch before the next marker.  Continue in this manner of knitting two rows even and increasing every third row until you have 11 stitches between the markers.  Knit two more rows even.  You will have 44 stitches on your needle.

The thumb gore with the 11 stitches between the markers.

At this point the stitches between the markers are put on a holder to be worked later.  I use a piece of yarn because it's flexible.  A small safety pin or stitch holder would work but I like using the yarn.

Yellow yarn serving as a stitch holder.

Now place a marker, cast on two stitches and begin knitting around again on 35 stitches until the measurement from the top of cuff is 5 inches plus 3 inches for the cuff for a total of 8 inches.   The size of the mitten can be adjusted at this point.

Completed hand ready to be decreased and finished.

When the length of the hand is where you want it, it's time to decrease for the top of the mitten.  At this point I change to double pointed needles to accommodate the lesser number of stitches.

Finish using double pointed needles.

Row 1 of decrease:  (Knit 2 together, knit 2), knit 2 together, knit 2  repeat around.
Row 2 of decrease:  (Knit 2 together, knit 1), knit 2 together, knit 1 repeat around.
Row 3 of decrease:  Knit 2 together in succession around row.

Break off yarn and draw through remaining 9 stitches.  I usually run the yarn through two times and fasten off to the inside.

All that is left is finishing the thumb by using the double pointed needles again.  Tie on a new piece of yarn and put the stitches onto your double pointed needles that are being held on the yarn (11 stitches) plus 2 to 4 stitches from the area where you cast on stitches for the hand.  You may have a small hole which can be closed by pulling the yarn tighter or worse case sew it closed when finished.  I usually manage to knit those extra stitches tight enough to avoid a hole but either way works fine.

11 stitches on needle plus the picked up stitches.

Knit around the thumb until it is 1 1/2 inches long.  Rather than deal with knitting stitches on three needles, I just put them on two needles and knit around with the third.

To finish the mitten, decrease the stitches on the thumb by knitting 2 stitches together, knit 1, around the row.  Next knit 2 together in succession ending with 3 to 5 stitches.  Cut the yarn and draw through the stitches in the same manner as the top of the mitten.  Secure the yarn and fasten off.

Finishing the thumb

Weave all the loose ends and you have a mitten.  Now do it all again to make a pair.  There isn't a right or left.  Both mittens are made the same.  I have a suggestion for the striping yarn.  Try to start your cast on at the same color point in the yarn.  That way both mittens will somewhat match.  If you don't mind that your stripes don't match, then start the cast on anywhere.   Good Luck.

High School Musical "My Fair Lady"

Who would think my two oldest grandchildren had such a flair for musical drama?  Both of them have the acting bug.  I blogged about Dylan playing Oliver a couple years ago.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/03/oliver-twist.html

Last weekend it was Melissa's turn.  She was part of the Berlin High School performance of "My Fair Lady".  Tryouts for the play were near the beginning of the school year which is a little overwhelming for a freshman in high school.  She tried out and had a few lines.  She was actually on stage quite a lot.  She loved the whole process and made a lot of new friends.  The talent these young people have is amazing.  I have been attending high school plays for many years in many different schools.  It is always the same.  Fantastic!

Melissa and her friend who played the lead role of Eliza.

Melissa with her proud mom.

It was a great weekend for all.  I have been humming, whistling or singing the songs ever since.  I can't wait for the next one.

Papa Has A Brand New Toy

By the title of this blog you would think we got a big new truck or a gigantic television.  No, but we did get a very useful yard gadget.  For those who know our property, we live on top of a hill that connects with a steep incline into a marsh area.  The hill gets overgrown with berry bushes, buckthorn, locusts and grapevines.  Although I like the natural look, it get very unsightly and blocks our view especially from the lower level living area.  So, a couple weeks ago my husband saw a gadget for sale on our local Buy, Sell and Give Away site.  He thought we could make good use of it, so we made an offer that was accepted.  It was a Black and Decker Alligator Garden Lopper.  It is a chain saw with jaws. You open the contraption like a scissors.  The jaws grab the branches up to 4 inches thick and then when you pull the trigger the chainsaw saws the branch.

The same day we got it, we started clearing the hill.  It was fun at first.  We took turns and started working our way across and down the hill. 

Then an hour or so passed, and we could hardly see any progress.  We slipped and slid on the soft dirt and my arms and legs were getting tired.  At my age, I don't like to be uncomfortable.  

We saw no end to the berry bushes and brush.

I was getting all scratched up.

Pretty soon I was ready to call it a day.  It didn't take very much convincing to have my husband agree.  He used to be able to work outside for hours on end, but this job looked like it would take a year.  I always quit when the going gets tough so it was a no brainer for me.  That night I went back to the Buy and Sell site.  I found a local guy who was advertising to do odd jobs.  The next morning my husband called and the man came over to give us an estimate.  It was reasonable and we hired him.  Later that week he came, used our little Alligator Loppers and finished the job in six hours.  Lesson learned from this was that sometimes, especially as a person gets older, it is smarter to hire someone else to do the job.  It wasn't brain surgery and all it took was a younger body with good balance, strong arms and gumption.  Something we lack at our age.  It was a very good decision.  The hill looks great, and our bodies are still somewhat intact.