Corned Beef Recipe, Corned Beef Hash

Hi Everyone,

In this video I show you how to use a pressure cooker to prepare a corned beef recipe  in very short time!

We purchased this meat specifically to make a big batch of corned beef hash which is a family favorite, so I have included that footage also!

Check it out:

Pressure cooking is an amazing thing. Please also refer back to my How To Prepare Dried Beans episode for more pressure cooking magic!

I am also getting geared up to pressure can a good portion of this! So watch a that soon!

If you would like a pressure cooker, here is the one I have (it is awesome), pick it up here –> Presto Pressure Cooker

Cheers!,

Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

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How to Patch an Inner Tube

Hi everyone!

In this video I show you how to patch an inner tube. This is the same process for any tire which uses a tube (bicycle, garden cart, stroller, tractor)

Check It out!

You want to make sure to:

1) Locate all of the holes! That is why submerging in water is a great idea!

2) Let the cement dry! I know this seems weird but trust me.

3) Check the tire itself for ‘pokies’

4) Use Talcum powder if you can, it really helps the tube move where it needs to go and not snag your patch job.

I hope this is helpful! Drop me a comment if I can answer any questions!

Cheers!
Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

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Fresnel lens give away!

Hi Everyone!

I received so much feedback on my post about the Fresnel lens that I have decided to do a give away (yes I want more subscribers! :))!

On April 1st 2012 I will randomly choose 10 of my site subscribers (red box to the right) and send them the same Fresnel lens featured in my past video: Fresnel Lens

Here is the video again:

If you want to be in the give away, simply register to receive updates from my site (top right hand side, ya cannot miss it!).

On the morning April 1st 2012 (I promise this is not an ‘April Fools’ thing)  I will randomize all of my subscribers, choose 10,  and send a personal e-mail to each winner asking for their address so I can send them their lens!

BTW, I do not share e-mail addresses with anyone, by subscribing to my site you will get updates about my content PERIOD!

Cheers!
Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

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Check and Correct Vehicle Tire Pressure

Hi Everyone!

I am actually pretty happy as I am writing this post. I have enough interest at this point that people are starting to ask to see certain things, and I am here to oblige!

In this episode I show you how to:

1) Figure out what your tire pressure should be.

2) Use a common pressure gauge to check your tire pressure.

3) Use a compressor or pump to get where you need to be.

Check it out:

As I mention in the video, a lot of people look at a bicycle pump and think “there is no way it will work for a car tire”. Wrong! It will work just fine, but may take a while :)!

If you are new to my site and like this video, you may also enjoy my episode on checking your car’s fluids. I hope this helps some folks out there!

Cheers!

Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!

Make Bread from Scratch, Without a Bread Maker

Hi Everyone!

In this video I show you how to make two beautiful loaves of bread, from scratch, without a bread machine!

I admit, I do have one and think bread machines are pretty cool. However, I don’t like the limitations you have with them.

Limitations:

1) Makes most people buy mix kits (you can make bread from scratch, most folks don’t) = Expensive
2) Very limited settings; our ‘maker’ worked great in Pueblo, Colorado (4980 ft altitude), absolutely sucks where we are now (9000 ft). The machines are necessarily built to serve the average person, so your bread will probably never be as good as it could be.
3) You need electricity. I can make my recipe and bake it easily using a sun oven if I want. The difference is we let the bread form here and gently brown it, where most recipes today are trying to leaven and brown to perfection at the same time.

Check it out!

As I mention in the video, patience is key! Perfect bread is not hard to make, but you cannot do it quickly.

Serve warm! There is nothing like a fresh slice of homemade bread!

My family has not purchased store brand ‘sliced’ bread for a long time now. The two loaves you see here will be wrapped in foil and frozen. It stays sooo fresh!

Cheers!
Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!

Easy Room Darkening Window Coverings

Hi Everyone!

In our house we have several windows which get almost annoying during certain times of the day because of the amount of sunlight they let in.

The biggest culprits are the ‘outside’ doors with built in windows.  Traditional curtains are not really an option because where would you install them?

Well here is a pretty simple and elegant solution!

Check it out:

The ability to roll these up when you want the light is awesome!  There is also a level of cozy added.  Even though we live in the ‘boonies’ there is something comforting in knowing you can’t be seen at times.

This also works well for rooms that you want dark constantly (like the pantry).   Just choose your fabric wisely, it is amazing what the sun will shine through!

Cheers!

Willie

 
PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!

Homemade Popsicle (Popsicle for Sore Throat)

Hi Everyone!

I started writing this post based on the fact that I have two sick girls in the house.  However, this is a really cool skill that can make you a hero in a lot of situations, not only a household sore-throat epidemic.

The last few weeks I have been faced with all sorts of sick people!  I have not made it completely ‘scott-free’ this year, but, to my delight, there is a real nasty bug going around that I have not had the privilege of harboring yet (I will probably get sick tonight :))

What prompted this episode was my daughter Lexi!

I said, ” There are so many things I want to film, but I have to take care of you an mom!”  She said, “I know what you should do!  Let’s show people how to make a ‘popsicle for sore throat’ !”

It helps a sore throat, tastes good, and is easy to do even if you feel crappy.  Here is how you do it:

 

I gave an OJ popsicle to both girls and it was a good thing.   They are both out, so I am writing this post.

I have never personally liked the lozenge thing.  I tried that with Lexi and got huge frowny face with “I can’t feel my tongue” comments.

Lexi is a ham!  Please leave her a comment if you have time!

This is a simple thing but gets results.

Thanks for the video idea Lex.

Cheers!
Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!

Fresnel Lens Demonstration

Hi Everyone!

In this post I show you how to use a Fresnel lens to start a piece of wood on fire.

I think most of us have memories about messing around with a magnifying glass as kids. Sure you could start a fire or burn a hole in a piece of paper with those,  but check this out – these bring it to a whole different level!

Pretty cool huh?

I will definitely be adding one of these to my 72 hour bag as well as our general camping gear.

To  get one for yourself click here-> Fresnel Lens

Be careful!  As you can see from the video it is actually very easy to start a fire with these.  Keep them stored in a dark area or in some sort of opaque sleeve.

I think my next experiment will be to try boiling some water in one of my solar cooking vessels with this.  Stay tuned,  and if you like please subscribe to get updates on new videos.

Cheers!

Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!

Check Your Cars Fluid Levels

Hi Everyone!

So I have received a lot of requests on some basic automotive maintenance skills videos.  We recently purchased a used Subaru Outback to replace our mini van and it was time to check the fluids, so here it is!

Just like a human, your car needs fluids to survive. If they get low, your vehicle will quickly find its demise.   It can be a minor inconvenience, or a huge pain in the ass and a major expense.

Maintaining proper fluid levels is an essential and easy maintenance task.

Even armchair mechanics can perform this one.  It’s fun, quick, and can add thousands of miles to the life of your car.

Check it out:

This procedure is particularly important if you’re planning on a long road trip and want to travel safely and efficiently.

I hope you enjoy this post. There are certainly appropriate follow up videos; oil change, coolant flush/change etc.  They have already been added to my list of ‘to-do’s’.  If you have a passion for me to make one in particular let me know!

Cheers!

Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!

How to Make a Fire using a Firesteel

Hi Everyone!

In this video I show you how to easily start a fire using a firesteel.  I posted a video a few days ago on how to make a simple but very effective firestarter out of cotton balls and petroleum jelly, and that is what I use here.

The firesteel I use in the vid is from a company called GobSpark.  I love it!  I’ll drop a link below if your interested in having your own.

Check it out:

How to make the tinder –> Cotton Ball and Petroleum Jelly Fire Starter

Gobspark Firesteel details:

1. A BIGGER FireSteel than comparable products – it is much thicker and it is longer. 3/8ths inch in diameter by 3-inches long
2. The firesteel is a genuine FireSteel.com FireSteel with a special formula that gives far greater sparks than any others you may have used.
3. A BETTER innoviative handle for easy use with or without gloved hands.
4. FireSteel.com super scraper made of extrememly hard high carbon steel – optimized to produce the biggest sparks on your FireSteel.
5. A lanyard made from 26-inches of 7-strand parachute cord.

Get your own –> GobSpark  Firesteel

Drop me a note if you have any questions.

Cheers!

Willie

 

PS.

It may seem at times like you have ‘done it all’ but there are many new crafts and lost skills out there for all of us! This is my mission!

Subscribe to get updates! They happen several times a week!

Live and Learn, Learn and Thrive!