So many peaches

On June 18, 2022 By CarynIn Life Hack

Freshly washed Parker County Peaches (about 1/4 of my whole haul)

I recently went to the local Farmer’s Market in town and loaded up on local peaches. I think I had nearly 10 pounds! At home, I put them in a large paper bag to finish ripening. We did eat some right away, and some the next day, and the next, but we still weren’t able to get through them all when they hit peak ripeness. So I decided to freeze them. Ripe peaches are fiddly things to cut! I tried several methods, but found these steps listed below worked well for me.

First two longitudinal cuts allow one section to be removed

Cut one slice at a time and use a slight twisting motion to release the slice from the pit

Skins remove easily by sliding the knife between the flesh and skin

My slices aren’t beautiful, but they froze well and go great in smoothies. The skins I popped into the food processor, then froze as a block to give to the chickens later. (It is rather hot here, frozen treats are favorite.)

Keeping out the rain

On June 4, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, Life Hack

Izzy the cat’s favorite litter box is the one in the catio. I’ll admit, we didn’t discover this for years; poor kitty had to do her business inside until we finally placed a box outside. Then the rain came. Scoopable litter is really gross when it gets soaked in rainwater. Even though there is a cover on the box, the lid design is not good for outdoor use. As this is the biggest litter box I’ve found, I decided to fortify it to keep the rain out. On other blogs, they will show you cute little huts they built with coordinating paint and curtains. Here, you get the duct tape version. With an old baking sheet.

Outside litter box protected from rain with an old baking sheet

If you don’t want it to move, use duct tape. This is not an elegant looking solution, but it did the job. During our biggest rain storm this year, the litter stayed dry (at least from the rain).

Organizing and protecting

On April 14, 2022 By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack

So now that I’m back to posting things for sale on Etsy, I needed a way to organize and protect my inventory. In the past I would tuck boxes into a cupboard, but then have to rummage through the boxes when something sold. This time I bought a file box with hanging folders, and am tucking the cards and wood work into the folders and labeling.

Labeled hanging folders to organize Etsy stock

This should keep my inventory safe and dry (rather than on a table or counter where anything could happen), and I know where everything is!

Cat blanket transfer

On March 13, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, Life Hack

I have been trained well. I put the fuzzy blanket back on my chair (excuse me, the cat’s seat) when I get up so she can get comfortable. The problem comes when I come back. She allows me to pick her up with the blanket and settle her back on my lap, but then unfolding the blanket is awkward and she leaves. I have found a solution.

Step 1: Blanket placed on the chair with the edge accessible

If I place the blanket folded roughly in half, with the edge forward, I can slide my arms under the first layer, pick up the cat, sit back down on my chair, get the blanket spread on my legs and the cat settled on my lap with minimal fuss.

Step 3: Cat transferred to lap and legs covered with the blanket

Yes, I am a good cat minion.

Simple blank journal

On March 10, 2022March 8, 2022 By CarynIn art, Craft, Life Hack

I spend a chunk of money on sketch books, both for me and my kids. I want them to practice their art skills, and they enjoy it, so it is a worthwhile sacrifice of paper. But purchased journals are usually heavy as well as expensive. To help lighten up my youngest’s backpack, I made some simple blank journals from printer paper, card stock, and upholstery thread.