Author Archives: randy

Noodles And Squash

Cubed and cooked the squash in a little coconut oil along with thyme, oregano, garlic, onion powder and black pepper. Mixed it with whole wheat spaghetti noodles, baby spinach, vinegar & oil and red pepper flakes.

Independence Day 2017

The family was over for snacks and fireworks.

Spaghetti Pie

We both thought it was pretty good.
I used the Thug Kitchen recipe found here.

Father’s Day

The family got together for a taco bar lunch at our house. I made jackfruit, potatoes, cauliflower and tofu for taco fillings.

Our Garden Spring 2017

: Signs.

: Moss Rose.

: Potted Plants.

: Hand Pump and Stock Tank.

: Spike.

: Solar Chandelier.

: Daylilly.

: Mums.

: Balloon flower.

: Redbud Tree.

: Achillea.

: Purple Coneflower.

: Summer Sun Heliopsis.

: Delphinium.

: Clematis.

: Purple Loosestrife.

: Daisy.

: Yellow Coneflower.

: Butterfly Bush.

Minnow Bucket Patio Table Light

Many years ago I converted this old minnow bucket I purchased at an antique store into a light to hang over the table on our deck.

Materials used…
Inner portion of a minnow bucket.
Outdoor light socket.
Extension cord.
Plumbing strap.
Eye bolt.
Washers – 2.
Wire nuts.
Fish stringer.
Electrical tape.
Light bulb.

The light socket is made of rubber suited for outdoor use.

I drilled 2 holes in the bottom of the bucket. One for an eye bolt to hang the bucket by and the other to run the cord through.

I made an L bracket from plumbing strap and attached it inside using the eye bolt. I then used zip ties to attach the socket to the L bracket. To wire it I cut off the female end of an extension cord, ran it through the hole I drilled and then wire nutted it to the socket. I wrapped electrical tape around the cord where it goes through the hole. I’ve had no problems with this but it might be better to use an electrical box cable clamp. The light is hung by a fish stringer which also helps to hide the cord.

The cord runs to an electrical outlet on our deck which we just plug in to turn the light on.

Solar Chandelier

Well over a year ago while on a bike ride I found this light fixture dumped on the side of the road. I couldn’t resist bringing it home even though I had no plans for it. When Nova seen it she suggested we put solar lights on it and hang it outside.

I finally got around to doing it. I removed the wiring and flipped the light fixtures upside down. Was lucky that the solar lights we picked pressed right in to the fixture. Even though it’s currently hanging from a tree it does receive enough sun to charge the lights.

Our Friends Garden

I quickly snapped a few pics while at a friends house the other day. They have such a beautiful and fun yard (and house). I hope to get better photos some day.

Garden Gate

I recently placed these bicycle sprockets above the backyard gate. They are from the schedule sign I’d made for the Midwest Bicycle Fest that we used to put on. They are welded together. The Welcome sign is a painted and distressed 2×8.