Physicists tell us that disorder is constantly increasing in the universe – except for in perfectly ideal processes in which the amount of disorder can remain unchanged. I doubt the physicists were thinking of my house when they came up with this idea, but if someone isn’t actively putting order to the house, it just … Continue reading Clean as you go; a note for cooks (especially husbands)
Monster Muff Purse with Vinyl View Screen

Muff: a fuzzy warm tube to warm your hands I started this project wanting to incorporate a clear vinyl view screen into a muff so that the user could send text messages or otherwise use their smartphone/device while keeping their hands warm. I had seen some thing like this at a sporting goods store over … Continue reading Monster Muff Purse with Vinyl View Screen
Stop Changing Batteries – Use a Power Supply

DC power supplies can be used to run your battery powered devices. In this video I'll show you how I upgraded a small planetarium and share some principles you can apply to any device. Always practice safety when dealing with electricity.
Easy access facial tissue

It’s a good idea, right? Hanging the facial tissue on the fridge? It’s easy access for the little ones, but impossible to reach (sans chair/toy/box/sibling) for the littlest. (The best part is the box doesn’t come flying at you when you quickly pull a tissue out; the box stays put! ) For your viewing pleasure, … Continue reading Easy access facial tissue
Cleaning the “uncleanable” toilet

(If you'd rather not read, you can check out the toilet video here on YouTube. It's amazing how easy it was to clean using the correct tool) My wife and I recently moved into a home that had been sitting on the market for the better part of a year. Needless to say, the place needed … Continue reading Cleaning the “uncleanable” toilet
Easy no-sew burlap tree skirt

It’s almost here! That magical time of year where everything changes – we bring trees in the house, put lights outside and move our budget to the red. Christmas time! Add some rustic flair to your home this year and keep your budget black with a super simple, no-sew burlap and duck-cloth tree skirt. I … Continue reading Easy no-sew burlap tree skirt
FPS Bubbles

Sometimes we let our baby sit in the sandbox with the bubble machine on – it seems to make him happy. On one such a summers day, we were toddler-sitting for a friend of ours while the bubbles rained down on the sandbox. Our young friend was less interested in getting sandy but was taken … Continue reading FPS Bubbles
My favorite crème brûlée

Crème brûlée, the fancy way of saying ‘burnt cream’, is a delicious dessert and surprisingly simple to make. (See my video here) Growing up I didn’t expand my dessert horizons much past chocolate chip cookies and brownies. My introduction to crème brûlée was while on my honeymoon when a friend of my brother-in-law hooked my wife and … Continue reading My favorite crème brûlée
Leather bracelet – brass ring and hitch

My dad’s aunt’s father (I’m not sure what to call him) was a shoemaker in Mattighofen, Austria. In the 1970’s my Aunt made a visit to Austria and she brought back some of her dad’s leather. Basically sitting in the basement since then, the leather is nearly 50 years old but still in great condition! … Continue reading Leather bracelet – brass ring and hitch
Guar gum bubbles + wand

I love bubbles, they are relaxing, mesmerizing even, to watch. They are swirling rainbow orbs that just float where the wind takes them. Even as a kid, I was fascinated by bubbles and I remember how excited I was at our ‘bubble-ology’ class in grade school. However, pretty much the first thing I learned about … Continue reading Guar gum bubbles + wand