With windchills in negative territory, it’s a day for staying in. While Dwight planned rehanging pictures, I went downstairs for a workout. On the way back up, I shared the elevator with a family laden with groceries. Their little girl announced that the drinking straw she was waving was a magic wand. When I asked her about it, she declared it could turn a person into a fairy.
Category: Home Living
Rolling Green, Smart Scenes
Built a project box for wirelessly controlling lights on our mobile green wall via our Zigbee mesh network and Hubitat hub. Now, these lights seamlessly join lighting scenes controlled by voice, app, or household events.
Empty Boxes
Realized storing empty electronics boxes was no longer serving us. We’ve been storing the elaborate boxes in our “basement”—a storage cage two floors down. Since we hold onto electronics long past their prime resale value, keeping the boxes serves little practical purpose.
I’m Married to a Cactus Whisperer
Over the years, our stash of dental freebies from hygienist appointments has grown. Today, Dwight announced he’s found a new use for them: cleaning between the spines of cacti at the greenhouse where he volunteers. I couldn’t resist speculating if he’d be talking to the cacti during his prickly procedures.
Our Pharmacy Museum
We’ve only just learned that health insurance covers $50 each per quarter for over-the-counter medications, toothpaste, floss, etc. I thought we couldn’t possibly spend that much, then I checked our medicine drawer. Everything in this photo has expired with dates going back to 2013. Some things get better with age, not medicine drawers.
The Annual Replacement of the Spices
Replaced spices older than (arbitrarily) 15 months for a total of about $8. Freshness is optimized by buying whole spices in small quantities.
Keeping Christmas Local
Tree designed and crafted in Minneapolis from Minnesota deadfall cherrywood. Four-season lamp (winter side showing, stained glass) designed and made by a colleague as a retirement gift for Dwight. LEGO snow village designed and built by Dwight, destined to be torn down and rebuilt next year. The snow is rescued polyester fiber packaging.
The Jingle That Won’t Die
Another day, another labyrinth dedicated to consumption: Menards, where I traversed acres of aisles hunting for components for a lighting system for our vertical garden. In the process, I acquired an earworm: “Save big money, save big money, when you shop Menards.”
Sunday Roast: Toad in the Hole
The bacon sausages are from a farm near Minneapolis. I improvised gravy with a base of chicken broth from the freezer and some heavy cream. The veg was slow-braised cabbage to which I added several umami boosters including fish sauce and tomato paste. Somewhat monochromatic, but good on a cold, windy night.
Smoke-Roasted Salmon on Cedar Plank
Salmon smoking on a smoldering cedar plank for dinner tonight. This is probably the last time we use the barbecue until spring.