Category: Skills

  • Prepping – Making Soap

    Prepping – Making Soap

    One of the big things I worry about if the SHTF is hygiene. When you have less access to good quality running water, keeping clean becomes not just a personal choice, but an absolute necessity. Soap and water are your greatest armor against disease and septic injuries. But if you can’t run down to the…

  • The Weekly Feast – Creamy Basil Chicken

    The Weekly Feast – Creamy Basil Chicken

    I would call this a pesto but it isn’t actually pesto. There’s no Parmesan cheese, and no pine nuts. On the other hand, it’s healthy, and ZOMG so good. I made this two nights in a row, once over gnocchi, and once with chicken and veg, and it was just incredible. This is the chicken…

  • Tools To Make Tools To Make…

    Tools To Make Tools To Make…

    For lack of a nail and all of those things. Never a truer statement was made. I have three workbenches in the shop. One is filled with machining detritus. It always needs to be cleaned up. The second currently is full with a mini-mill and storage containers that are waiting to be placed on the…

  • The Right Tools

    The Right Tools

    My father was a woodworker. He made beautiful furniture. I have a couple of pieces he made. His primary tool was the radial arm saw. He also had a hand drill. Everything else he did by hand. I wish I had learned more from him. I think it was one of his quiet hobbies. Later,…

  • The Weekly Feast – Leftover Turkey Hash

    The Weekly Feast – Leftover Turkey Hash

    I’m not a huge fan of hash, to be honest. However, I am a BIG fan of using up leftovers. The other day when it was hot, I used our Westinghouse to cook up a whole turkey (it was small, only 15 lbs or so). I’ve been using it in sandwiches and salads since last…

  • Changing EDC

    Changing EDC

    Last year, I purchased a Sig P365 XMacro. This is the “large” version of the P365, longer barrel, and a 17 round mag. It turns out that my nephew wanted the same pistol, having looked at mine, he offered to buy it. Being a good uncle, I sold it to him at my cost, plus…

  • Prepping – Gadgets

    Prepping – Gadgets

    So what I do, when I’m out and attending events, is I set up a historically inspired or historically accurate (depending on the event) encampment. I dress the part, I cook meals either inspired by or directly from recipes of the time period. While I’m not perfect, I try to be very aware of what’s…

  • Flat, Straight and Square

    Flat, Straight and Square

    Many years ago, I started to build a laminated wood workbench from hard maple. It was very slow-going. I think I have what I finished up in the rafters of the shop. It is only 9 inches wide. It is not smooth, it is not flat. It is unlikely to be straight, and it is…

  • The Weekly Feast – Salmon a la Allyson

    The Weekly Feast – Salmon a la Allyson

    We love salmon in our home, and I cook it in a variety of different ways. This, however, is my “signature” recipe and it’s the one I get requests for most often. This salmon can be eaten with “the usual suspects” as sides (pasta/potato/rice, salad/steamed veg), or you can shred it after cooking and toss…

  • My Part is Done

    My Part is Done

    I’m sure you all are tired of reading about my vehicle troubles. I’m sure this won’t be the last post about it. Base problem, the truck is 15 years old. It was given a new frame, but it is starting to age out. Major safety issues: Right front wheel bearing is bad Left front wheel…