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Never too busy to make bread

By Ilene Duffy Issue #114 • November/December, 2008 Summer vacation came to an abrupt end. Sons are back in school. My "soccer mom" folding chair is in the trunk of the car. The daytimer is getting...

With commonsense planning, you can survive hard times

By Jackie Clay Issue #55 • January/February, 1999 Today, many people are afraid that hard times are about to descend upon us because of the Y2K computer date problem, also known as the Millennium Bug. Others...

Chocolate — Food for the Gods

By Richard Blunt Issue #56 • March/April, 1999 My mother loved chocolate. She knew and understood it just as a wine master knows and understands wine. When she made some of her old world style bittersweet...

Build a holz hausen to dry firewood

By Doug Fluckiger Issue #132 • November/December, 2011 My secret passion is tall, dark, and handsome. I may find her lying luxuriantly among a dark grove of firs. She may be standing proudly on a sunny...

Eye-catching signs with mirrors

By David Lee Issue #144 • November/December, 2013 The reflected image in the mirrored letters give a "see-through" illusion to the sign and the tree. Stained glass nuggets add flashes of color. Need a sign? Do you want...

Zucchini custard pie

Sandra L. Toney Ingredients 1 cup shredded zucchini 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 1/2 Tbsp. flour 1 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 cup evaporated milk 1 9-inch unbaked pastry or pie shell cinnamon nutmeg Method Preheat oven to 450°. Mix zucchini (and any...

Man vs. the machine

By John Silveira Issue #71 • September/October, 2001 About 10 years ago, I was living in southern California and I was summoned for jury duty. I was glad to be called. I've always liked the concept...

Grilled Steak with Olive-Blue Cheese Sauce

Recipe of the Week Grilled Steak with Olive-Blue Cheese Sauce Courtesy of Gail Chen Ingredients 4 6-ounce beef tenderloin steaks, cut 1-1/4-inches thick 1 cup canned beef broth 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots (or chopped onion) 1/2 cup sliced black...

Picking your pressure canner — All American or Presto?

By James Kash Issue #143 • September/October, 2013 The garden is in full swing and you have baskets of vegetables piling up; what do you do? You can them, of course. Your mother's old granite-ware canner...

Installing your own small, remote off-grid solar system

By Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM Issue #116 • March/April, 2008 A typical residential-size solar system installation will involve properly sized and installed AC and DC electrical wiring to reduce the risk of electrical fire, a proper...

Maple Spiced Broiled Salmon

Recipe of the Week Maple Spiced Broiled Salmon Courtesy of Barbara Sabek Ingredients 4 salmon fillets (6 to 8 ounces each) 1/3 cup real maple syrup (NOT pancake syrup!) 1/2 cup water 4 teaspoons peeled, grated ginger root 2 cloves garlic minced fine 1/4...