The Polytunnel!

Here is what we were up to this weekend--putting up our polytunnel.

First we put the frame together

Then we moved it into position, and anchored it using ground spikes.  Then we dug a trench around the outside.

Next we put the cover on, and buried the ends of the cover in the trench.  We filled the trench back in with the soil and sod, then covered over with cement slabs and heavy rocks.  We live on top of a very windy hill and are hoping this will help keep it from becoming airborne!

Here's the inside--ready to get dug up and planted!

Easy Brioche

I've been struggling lately with food for the girls.  They are currently incredibly picky about what they eat.  I can't help but feel I did something wrong and it is my fault.  Deep down I know it is just a phase, about them controlling things, and this too shall pass.  They are like me however, and demand variety in their diet.  The other day I made brioche in my bread machine for breakfast, and it was pretty much a universal hit.  I for one, loved it.  Here is the recipe I used.  Brioche with chocolate chips

The modifications I made to the recipe:

 I used my bread machine for the dough.  I used 1/2 plain flour and 1/2 bread flour.  I added everything but the chocolate chips into the bread pan and set it on the white dough cycle. My machine doesn't have a sweet bread cycle, but some do and you could use that.  After it had gone through the first bit of kneading I added the chocolate chips.  They didn't melt, and it worked well this way.

After the cycle was done I took the dough out and divided it into 12 portions.  I put these in a muffin tin (I used a silicone tray and didn't need oil).  Then I allowed them to rise for another 1/2 hour while the oven heated and I got on with other things.  Right before baking I brushed the dough with egg white and sprinkled with demerara sugar.  I baked at 180C for 20 minutes.  Viola!

7 Days (in pictures)

In the spirit of the Barefoot Crofter, here is a peek at my last 7 days.

We got some snow again, not too much, and soon melted.

 Enough that after quite a bit of begging we took the girls to the hill for some sledding.  Their first sledding ever!!  It was great fun, even in not much snow.

Then the girls and I stayed in PJ's all day, and made this!

7 Days (in pictures)

In the spirit of the Barefoot Crofter, here are my 7 days.

Washing Machine Wars

There are many things that describe us around here--frugal, creative, stubborn.  Yeah, mainly stubborn.  I may only be in my mid 30's, but I can remember a time when things were supposed to last longer than 5 years.  I'm talking white goods, cars, jeans.  You name it, and things lasted longer. 

A few months ago my washing machine (age: approximately 5 years) stopped spinning.  It came at a really bad time when we didn't have much money to spend on a new machine.  However then we thought--WHY should we have to buy a new machine?  It is only 5 years old.  Yet everyone I talked to said the same thing--"It isn't worth paying a repairman, it will cost almost as much as a new machine."  "They only last about 5 years, that's just how it is."  What?  5 years?

My husband and I weren't prepared to accept that.  So I hopped on the internet to try to figure out what was wrong with it, and he hopped behind the machine and started taking it apart.  I will pause here to say that I'm lucky Dave's handy.  He is quite willing to tear things apart and try to fix them.  I know not everyone is like that.

Here's what we learned: it was most likely the carbon brushes.  Before you ask, no, I had no idea what they were, what they did, or what they looked like.  I'm still only mildly aware, but I'm sure my husband could write a page or two about them if he weren't so busy.

Here's what he did:

Remove the motor from the back of the machine---please, unplug first, and only do this if you know your way around a motor (or find a really good step by step online, they are out there, including a video I found!). 

Locate carbon brushes on either side of the motor.

 Here's what ours looked like.  I'm sure they are all different.  Ours were worn down so that they weren't pressing against the round metal part of the motor, seen below.

Dave was able to pull the carbon brushes out a bit, and that bought us about another month.  Then the machine stopped spinning again.  So he did it again, and we went ahead and ordered new carbon brushes from a shop online.  We spent £33 including the extra money for next day shipping.  Well worth it.  And hopefully, that should buy us another 5 years.

For the love of the nog

I've just been reading on the Internet, trying to find out this burning question: If egg nog originated in the United Kingdom and moved to the USA with the colonies, why I can't find it in the shops here in Scotland?  I grew up on the West Coast of the United States, and egg nog was a staple in our house at Christmas.  Since I've been in Scotland I've not once see it in the shops.  

Never mind, better to make these things yourself anyway.  Especially when your chickens are still laying 5 a day and you need to use up some eggs.

I'll not lie to you, I've been feeling very festive this year.  

Christmas Cake ✔

Lebkuchen  ✔

Christmas pudding ✔

Egg nog--better get to work!!

I used a recipe from Allrecipes.com.  This is a fabulous site, in case you've never been there.  Here is what I did:

Amazingly Good Eggnog

• 1-1/3 cups milk
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1-1/3 cups light cream
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

Directions

1) Combine milk, cloves, 1/8 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil. 

 

 

2) In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. 
3) Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.
 

4) Stir in cream, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving. 

 

I changed the recipe only slightly.  I omitted the rum because I want to share it with the kids.  I'll add a wee dash of something from the cupboard after they've gone to bed. 

7 Days (in pictures)

In the spirit of the The Barefoot Crofter, here are my seven days.