Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Water Not Included! - DIY Rain Barrel

Spring in Chicago has been slow to surface this year.  The weather does seem to have moved away from the really chilly temperatures and more into the rainy April weather that is pretty typical this time of year.  I have been breathing a big sigh of relief after last summer's scorching high temperatures and drought-like conditions left my yard and garden in a pretty sad state.  All of this glorious rain means my yard will be ready to "spring" into action after we get just a few sunny, warm days.  My hearts go out to everyone who is dealing with flooding and damage in the area though; certainly that is a very bad result of this deluge and we can only hope that the worst of it is behind us.

After spending all of last summer filling countless watering cans, running sprinklers and paying our inflated water bill, I committed to find a more cost-effective solution to watering our flowerbeds, pots and veggies.  One of my good friends has always been environmentally conscience and she tried to get me to install a rain barrel years ago, but I never had the motivation to actually do it.  So, thanks to that crazy high water bill and that fabulous little addition to our lives called Pinterist, I set out on my newly inspired mission and found no shortage of DIY pages on how to build and install a rain barrel.  Who knew there were so many ways to build a can that holds water!  :)

Spigot secured into the side of the can;
you can see the black gasket ring sealed
up the opening.
All of the items you need for this project can be purchased at a local hardware store.  I did some price comparisons on the pre-assembled barrels and I'm happy to report that by "DIY'ing it" I saved approximately $45-$100 depending on which brand or type of barrel you purchase.  So while the DIY version isn't the most attractive addition to the landscape, I was able to find a garbage can that matches my siding color almost exactly.  And, I managed to tuck it in an inconspicuous space where the greenery should fill in quite nicely.  [As an aside:  The ones you can purchase mostly look like faux brown barrels anyway and unless you want to spend big bucks on the "hipster looking" retro, reclaimed wood versions, (which are gorgeous!) you are likely going to be left with few options anyway!

You will see two washers but we ended
up only using one of them
I followed a few different websites/directions when I completed my project which allowed me to customize it.  The first thing you need is a sturdy garbage can with a tight fitting lid.  Don't skimp and get a cheap one because you need it to hold up well when it is filled with water.  This is the most expensive purchase you will need for the project.


Drill a hole towards the bottom of the garbage can just a little bit smaller than the hole in the spigot you purchased.  You want it to be pretty far down so you can get at the water that is in the can.  Thread the plumbers tape around the threads, put one of the gasket rings onto the neck of the spigot (so it will sit flush up against the side of the garbage can) and push/screw it into the opening in the can.  You want it to be snug and tight so it will take some muscle!

Take the large washer and fit it around the female bib (fancy name for the piece that you are going to screw to the back side of the spigot to hold it in place) and then use the second rubber gasket to ensure it seals up nice and tight.  Doing this should ensure you don't get any leaks around the gasket and will hold the spigot tightly against the side to ensure it has some stability.  You will have to climb inside the garbage can to get this part fitted in place so it is most helpful if you have someone to hold onto the gasket to keep it in place and hold the can itself.

The next step is to cut a hole in the lid of the can.  You will want to cut it to fit best with the shape of the downspout you will be using.  I used a utility knife/blade to cut the hole.  It takes some strength but the cover is pretty pliable so if you are patient you can get a nice neat hole.

Close up of the overflow hose
I found a great adaptable plastic piece that fit over our existing downspout and also allowed me to bend it into place perfectly so I didn't need to be very exact with the hole I cut.  Before you fit the lid into place, if you are going to create an overflow tube, you should drill that hole and fit the hose and secure it now toward the very top of the can.  This is necessary because you won't be able to access the inside of the garbage can from this point forward.  We drilled ours on the opposite side as the gasket and directed it away from the can.  It will serve as a great way to water the flower bed (double duty!).

Black landscaping mesh covering
the hole will keep the debris and
insects out of the water source.
Now it is finally time to seal up the can!  To ensure that bugs and debris don't get into the water it is necessary that you cover the barrel with mesh or screen.  I had a partial roll left over from last summer and it was easy to cut it to shape.  Be sure it covers the top so the lid can fit tightly over it.  You can go around and cut off the excess if you prefer.  I used some extra twine we had and wrapped that around the can lid just to clean up the excess material and secure it even more, although it is an extra step you don't need to take if you don't want to.

Before you set the can in place, you will want to arrange the bricks to make a level platform for the can.  Once it is filled with water the rain barrel will be very heavy so its important that it is level and gives the barrel a sturdy place to rest.  You also want to think carefully and pick a location for the water barrel that works best for your yard and gardening situation.  It will have to be a location that you can tie in the downspout from an existing gutter - - the collection source for the water!

Another reason you want to elevate the can with the brick platform is so you can fill up a watering can. My suggestion is that you do a 'dry run' (no pun intended!) to measure the height of the platform along with the can and your favorite watering can.  A little pre-planning can make all the difference in a project like this.   Get all the materials together and then walk through each step of the process - - what you will do first, second, etc.  That will allow you to predict any potential problems or assemble issues you might have with your particular location.


Finished project installed and ready for the rain! You can see how the
spigot is elevated enough to fit the watering can underneath.
Set the empty barrel on top of the bricks and turn the spigot to where you want it (and can fill your watering can), arrange the run off hose and set up the downspout so that it flows directly into the hole you cut into the cover.  From there, all that is left to do is wait for the rain to fill up the can.

Just one day after we got ours into place we got about 7" of rain in the course of about a week so that run off/overflow proved to be important for us.  I almost wish I had set up two of the barrels to capture all that valuable water!!

As DIY/home improvement projects go, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to complete. Most of my friends will attest to the fact that I am usually the type of person who over thinks things, and tries to get too "fancy" with projects; it doesn't get much simpler than this.

If you have flowers or plants you need to water this year and want to save some money while making a positive impact on the environment, I encourage you to install one of these yourself.  So there you go....one beautiful DIY rain barrel just waiting to gather precious rain water to help make my garden grow.

May Flowers Here We Come!

Materials:
Garbage Can and Lid
Hose bib (spigot) and matching female bib
1 Large Washer
2 Rubber Gasket rings
White plumbers tape
Landscape Mesh or Screen
Downspout Adapter or elbows (as needed)
Overflow hose (optional) and female connecter
Landscaping bricks or blocks 

Tools:
Drill and bit
Exacto knife
Screwdriver
 

Sunday, April 14, 2013

argyle APPETITE is Open For Business!

I'm thrilled to be able to announce the launch of my new business, 
argyle APPETITE!  

I've spent a long time dreaming and formulating the idea of starting my own business.  It just seemed like a natural progression for me considering how much I enjoy cooking, gardening and entertaining. An opportunity to share that passion with others while getting to spend time doing things that truly make me happy was an easy choice.  And while the blog is great, and I will continue to post entries and share my culinary experiences, I just felt like there might be a greater opportunity for me to explore.

Don't get me wrong, there were many obstacles and moments of doubt when I would stare at my lists of to dos and ideas and think it was just not possible. But each time I would talk to someone about my idea for argyle APPETITE, test out a recipe, or come home after work and find complete peace and solace working in my kitchen, I would get a renewed sense of drive to make it a reality.  And to think, here I am officially launching the business! 

So, what is argyle APPETITE all about?  
By approaching classic techniques with a touch of the modern and practical, I will strive to bring the essence of food and entertaining to life with a focus on the nostalgic things we know and love.  Because after all, that is what I love most about cooking.  That feeling you get when you have people gathered around your table -- talking and laughing - - spending their rare down time just enjoying each others company.

A speciality food and entertaining business, argyle APPETITE will offer a variety of cooking and entertaining services - - everything from in-home cooking instruction and menu preparation to event planning.  There will also be a la carte ordering options for speciality food and gardening products and services.  Everything you need to start taking those rare moments, and making them into memories.


What does argyle have to do with food?

The idea behind the unusual name, because I'm sure you are wondering, is actually two-fold.  First, I love all things argyle.  It has become a sort of signature fashion statement for me as I almost never leave the house without at least argyle socks on!  Second, and more relatedly, an argyle pattern is the overlapping of motifs, with a sense of three-dimensionality, movement and texture.  The layering of flavors, seasonings and contrasting textures in cooking is very much like the argyle pattern itself; all of these things take food from simply good to amazing!  So in this way, I thought the name argyle APPETITE was fun, memorable and also very personal to me.  

Huge Thanks! 
I have to take this opportunity to thank my husband Andrew.  I could never have gotten this far without his continued support and encouragement.  And, of course, for all the time he spent taste testing my recipes and listening to me run through the lists and lists and lists of ideas I had.  Each time I started doubting myself he was there to lift me back up and keep me moving forward.  Thank you so much for believing in me, and making me see that it was ok to follow my dreams!


To learn about upcoming argyle APPETITE events or opportunities, please follow me on Facebook and Twitter @argyleAppetite  You will also find a link on my blog that has my Menu of Services.  For any specific questions or inquiries, you can email me at framework1005@gmail.com


So, off I go on this new adventure, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with each of you...Let's get our argyle on! 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Just In Thyme - Springtime Skin Care!

The weather is starting to warm and you can start to smell Spring in the air.  Along with planting my gardening and grilling out, the warmer weather also brings with it the opportunity to bare our feet in sandals, and show off our shoulders to the Sun Gods.   But if you are anything like me, you've been hibernating all winter in knee high socks, warm fleeces and moisture sapping hot showers.  All of those things combined with the dry winter air end up leaving our skin pretty lackluster and dreary by the time April rolls around.

My solution to this dilemma is to whip that dull winter exterior into shape with some scrumptious sugar and salt scrubs you can make at home with just a few ingredients.  The salt scrub is going to be a little more abrasive, while the sugar results in a gentler exfoliator.  And as an added bonus, they make awesome hostess gifts for summer BBQ parties or festivities.  While other people bring a boring bag of Tostitos, you can steal the show by bestowing upon your host with a homemade body scrub.  Consider yourself invited back often!

Brown Sugar Vanilla Scrub
To make the Brown Sugar Vanilla scrub, I started by gathering together all the ingredients I needed and picking out a container to hold the finished product.  I use these jars for everything from pickling to pestos to infused oils; they make pretty gifts and are reusable so I think they are worth the investment.

Both sugars in the jar before mixing
I chose to use two different types of sugar to add both a textural component but also a color variation that I think makes the scrub look even more luxurious and expensive.  The pure cane sugar has a pale creamy color that is the perfect contrast to the organic dark brown sugar.  Rather than using an expensive Extra Virgin Olive Oil which has a stronger scent, I chose to use Grapeseed oil.  This is a much more neutral oil and allows the other scents you choose to incorporate to take center stage.  Grapeseed oil can be found just about anywhere but if you can find it in bulk it is usually pretty reasonably priced.  The oil is rich in linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid that's beneficial for skin and cell membranes.  It moisturizes the skin beautifully.  Use any extra oil for sautéing and roasting vegetables or even grilling.  Because it has a higher smoking point than olive oil it should fit nicely into your summer cooking repertoire.

Close up of the sugars mixed  
together (before oil)

Pulling the scrub itself together is so fast and easy you will find yourself wondering why you ever shelled out all that money for expensive store bought versions.  Simply place the sugars into your container and mix until combined.   If you are just using one kind you can skip the mixing and just be sure to break up any larger clumps of sugar.  Then, add your oil slowly.  It will gather at the top of the container so start by just adding a little and use a skewer or spoon to mix the oil in with the sugars.  The oil will slowly work itself down to the bottom.  Continue to add the oil until it reaches about 1/4 inch above the sugar and is at the top of your container.  Feel free to add more sugar or oil until you get the consistency you like.   There is no exact measuring here!
The paste contains the vanilla
bean seeds which leads to a
more intense scent than just extract

Instead of using essential oils (which again can be pretty expensive) I used Nielsen-Massey, Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste.  I have it in my cabinet already for baking (it's also amazing in crepes, pancakes and french toast) and has the most intense vanilla scent that makes it a great addition to the body scrub.  If you don't have the paste you can substitute vanilla extract.  Add it to the mixture and stir until well combined.  I used about a 1/2 Tablespoon of the paste but it depends on the potency of the extract you are using so experiment until you get the combination you prefer.  It will get stronger as it sits in the jar so give it some time and you can always add more if you want a stronger scent.  Consider yourself warned that your significant other will start to wonder why you smell so good...You can thank me later!







Finished Brown Sugar Vanilla Scrub!

















Lemon Thyme Sea Salt Scrub
To make the salt scrub it is the exact same process, but you switch out your main ingredient.  I chose to use a Sea Salt which has a much finer texture and makes for a more soothing and less abrasive final product.  Don't get me wrong, I want to show those dead skin cells who's boss but I want it to be somewhat relaxing in the process.
Sea Salt, Grapeseed Oil, Lemon and Fresh
Thyme standing by!


One of the ways I particularly like to use this Salt Scrub is having it right by the sink (indoor or outdoor) for after you work in the garden, or if want to rinse that garlic scent from your hands after cooking. Its such a refreshing citrus scent and the light exfoliation leaves your hands so silky that using it really does feel like a special treat.

Of course, it works beautifully in the shower as well, but if you are like me you will end up making two batches just so you can have it at the ready.  And what a great gift idea for that gardener or neighbor who shares their bounty with you over the summer months as a thank you?!

Chopped up zest and herbs ready to be added  
The first step is to zest the lemon and pull the leaves from the fresh Thyme.  If you hold onto one of the stems of the herb and run your fingers against the grain of the leaves they come off quite easily.  Chop them up a little to release the oils and fragrance and to help make the pieces smaller.  Reserve the whole lemon off to the side because you will use the juice in just a little bit.

Place the salt in the container you are using to hold the scrub and place the herbs and lemon zest on top.  Just like before you want to add the oil slowly and let it seep down into the container.  I found using a wooden skewer to get it started was great, but a regular spoon let me really mix the add-ins so it was a consistent color and all the salt was mixed in.  You want to see the zest and the Thyme throughout the scrub.   


Oil pools at the top until you work it
in with the skewer and spoon
Cut the reserved lemon in half and squeeze the juice from half of the lemon into the scrub mixture.  The lemon juice will actually serve to work as a natural toner and bleaching agent to help lighten dark spots on the skin. Right about now, between the smell of the fresh thyme and the freshly zested lemon, you should be imagining yourself decked out poolside enjoying a margarita.  This stuff smells so heavenly! 

Both of the scrubs will last up to a few months if you use a container that has a good airtight seal. I leave mine in the shower or on the counter and they have lasted quite beautifully without any issues.  

Look out warm weather, here we come!

Finished Lemon Thyme Sea Salt Scrub





Finished scrubs in their pretty jars; they look almost
good enough to eat!