Repairing broken pot handles with drawer knobs

Here is an idea!

Drawer knobs.

When your plastic crap handle breaks off your pot lid, as is likely to happen at my place, you don't have to throw the rest of it away due to this weak link. Just go to your hardware store, and purchase any sort of drawer knob (cupboard knob), and screw it on. A washer is good too, to keep the screw from slipping out the hole.

I used drawer knobs as they didn't sell replacement knobs for pots or pans. Since I had broken a few pot handles off, I bought a few wood knobs, and now the handles are solid as a rock and will last for a long time (unlike their original handles). I chose varnished wood, to help protect from steam. But there were many types there, even solid metal teddy bear handles, if this takes your fancy!



The ones that I bought from the hardware store came with screws and washers, so it was really easy.



P.S. If you don't already have a good screwdriver, get one - they are useful. 

Note from a later date:  USE STAINLESS STEEL SCREWS

Stillwater this week

How to make Jones Caramel Popcorn

The simple, sustainable lifestyle isn't about being boring and good. The Jones family (my family) used to make everything, and it was awesome! It's all a part of it.

To make caramel popcorn, first, make a huge bowl of popcorn -- either with a few batches on the stovetop or with a popcorn maker. Then boil the caramel candy mixture on the stovetop (directions below) and pour the hot caramel mixture all over it and stir well. It will very quickly set up - so separate into balls if you are not eating it right away!

To make the caramel candy part, throw the following 3 ingredients together into a saucepan on the stovetop, and melt on med-high heat while stirring (this is the Jones-size recipe halved, feeds a regular sized family):

half a block of butter (or 1 cup, or 1/2 lb, or 227 g)
1 1/3 cup white or brown sugar (brown sugar tastes richer, but I prefer just using white sugar as it's pretty rich anyways)
1/2 cup golden syrup

When it begins to boil, turn it down and boil softly, stirring.


Boil until you either reach "soft-ball" stage on a candy thermometer, or just dip a spoon into the mixture, and then drop some into cold water and see if it forms a ball. A candy thermometer is not needed! You can sense how it is and decide when you want to take it off that way. The longer you boil the mixture, the harder your popcorn balls will be.

Knitting Rhythms

There is something about knitting which is relaxing. If you follow a natural groove, just doing it, then there is a rhythm that you are following. Isn't it interesting how many of these old arts are being taken up by people again?

You see, the thing is, they bring natural rhythm back into people's lives. I can picture the many activities in people's lives, that modern living has taken out - activities to do with harvesting food from the garden work, sewing, quilting. Now that we don't have to do these things all the time, we can see the peace that they brought into our lives.

Another company turns plastic back into oil (in Ohio, USA)

Photo: banner from Vaddx website.

Looks like another company has invented a technique/machine for turning plastic rubbish back into oil: Vaddx Energy. They are based in Akron, Ohio. This is water on my soul.

I had already heard about a Japanese company called Blest, started by Akinori Ito in Japan (earlier post here). There is a great Youtube video showing the machine he has created which converts plastic back into oil. He travelled around third-world countries showing people how plastic rubbish could actually become a resource. Basically his machine heats up the plastic, which is converted to vapour first, then captured as oil. Any type of rubbish can be stuffed into the machine.

But I guess these guys are proposing converting all the waste from a particular area, which is awesome. It's being applied. From their website:

Vadxx Energy (Cleveland, OH) manufactures synthetic crude oil, natural gas and recovers metals using raw material feedstock consisting of petroleum-based wastes. The raw material feedstock includes auto fluff, e-wastes, scrap tires, recyclable and non-recyclable plastics, synthetic fibers, used industrial solvents, waste oil and heavy refinery bottom oil. Vadxx has a license to implement patented technology and is developing additional technology.

The company has a Research and Development Office and a pilot plant in Akron, OH. The first Vadxx commercial-scale synthetic crude oil manufacturing units will be installed at Ohio locations, near Vadxx operations. Vadxx crude oil and natural gas is sold to energy marketing firms. Crude oil customers include petroleum refiners.
(SPOTTED ON: DO THE GREEN THING, WHO SPOTTED IT ON GOOD.IS)

Changing my ways with water in Stillwater!

Turns out that we were using far too much water. I knew it!

Winter has ended, and we have poured the excesses of rain NZ gets in winter all over us, then down the drain! Now I see that summer follows winter - one should to conserve water during winter despite all the rain for use during the following drier months!

BUT there is nothing like having a limit to change your habits. I am actually enjoying the inspiration of the low water in the tank, as for the first time I am actually trying to see how little water can be used for everything. If I wash out two bowls, I pour the water in the first one to use on the second one. It feels great to be less wasteful - more humble.

I think human nature just requires a limit before we can change our habits. When I had unlimited water city water at my house, I never would have conserved water like that.

I think the biggest reason we waste water here is because we can. There is a direct relationship between using resources and our own expended energy - of course! If we use tonne of water, use the dishwasher or drier rampantly, or throw clothes in the washer if they get one spot, just being lazy and really resource-reliant. People can use far less resources when they use them with skill - and apply more of their own energy. Such as washing dishes by hand carefully with less water, hanging clothes - there are so many ways one can use skill in life to use resources well - e.g. repairing instead of just throwing something away.

The weird thing is we think we are better and smarter now because we have dishwashers and don't do things ourselves anymore. Weird. The skill emphasis is now in the production-design stage - we can just be deskilled people.

Buller Coal's attempt to mine on conserved land on West Coast of South Island, NZ

Mt. Rochfort, Denniston Plateau
(Photo credit: Craig Potton)

I just wrote to Kate Wilkinson (Minister of Conservation in NZ) about the Buller Coal mine proposed on the West Coast of the South Island on the Denniston Plateau, opposing it obviously on grounds of climate pollution, and habitat destruction (and beauty destruction). Her email is kate.wilkinson@national.org.nz if anyone else is interested in voicing their opinion. Forest and Bird also have a great page with info on it, and the beautiful area there. Also, here are a few news articles about it.

ONE News article, "Environmentalists to fight Buller mine decision" at
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/environmentalists-fight-buller-mine-decision-4368525

Radio NZ article: "West Coast leaders back proposed Buller mine" at
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/83740/west-coast-leaders-back-proposed-buller-mine

TVNZ article: "Debate rages over Buller mine plan" at
http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/debate-rages-over-buller-mine-plan-4251542

Residents and environmental groups are of course opposed, it will temporarily create a few jobs but help to DESTROY THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE....hmmm. Coal mines? New coal mines? Not clever. And NZers pride themselves on being innovative.

From Forest and Bird's website:

Coal: The planet's dirtiest fuel
“Coal is the single greatest threat to civilisation and all life on our planet,” NASA Climate Change scientist, James Hansen, who gave evidence via video at the resource consent hearing. At a time when it is crucial we rein in our carbon emissions, our government is actively looking to mine one of the planet’s dirtiest fuels: coal. If this mine goes ahead, it will increase our exports by 63% a year. - Forest and Bird NZ


Here is my letter:

"Dear Kate Wilkinson,

"I am writing to you as you are the Minister of Conservation in NZ. I am a resident living in the Rodney District area, in Stillwater, near Auckland NZ. I am concerned about Buller Coal's plans to coal mine on the Denniston Plateau in the South Island of NZ. I am greatly opposed to the decision to allow any new coal mines at all, due to the environmental impacts that it would have. But if a coal mine is to be constructed, mining conservation land should not even be considered. These areas are important for what they are, unique places with unique species that haven't already been destroyed.

"I also I think it's stating the obvious that coal is a poor choice at all as an energy given what we now know about the pollution in the atmosphere and the great consequences that further pollution would have. New Zealand could far more easily become a leader in alternative energies than some other larger Western countries such as Canada and the US, as it's smaller, innovative, and with its self-sufficient island culture.

"I settled in NZ seven years ago, after graduating from the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. Living in Canada I saw alot of resource exploitation, and also large, powerful corporations that were usually more powerful than the government. Due to my experience living there (and from my studies) I would urge New Zealanders to use their great ability to make their own choices wisely - that is become a leader in the world, in areas such as alternative energy use, and not creating new coal mines and adding to the world's problem with climate change. NZ has more ease and ability to make changes than many larger countries. I also have a family here now, and 2 Kiwi children whose interests I would like to protect. Please help protect our conservation areas.

"Nonavee Dale"
[Address etc]

For more information about this, go to Forest & Bird's website: http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/campaigns/save-the-denniston-plateauours-not-mine