Author Archives: randy

It’s A Conspiracy

Not sure who the guilty party is here, Ben or Jerry or maybe both but they are trying to add inches to my waistline. This makes me think that Levis Strauss may also be involved. I showed them.

Painted Poker Table


For a year or so our “poker room” was used as a bedroom while we had family living with us. We’re just now getting around to changing it back. Our original card table was made by a friend and myself and served us well over the years but was in need of some tlc. It’s also really too big for the little room so we thought we’d retire it and look for something smaller.
We found the above table at a Goodwill store. After sanding the table I applied a primer and then a base coat color of “Frivolous” blue and then sanded down to the primer and wood on some of the table to and leg edges. I then applied a chocolate glaze.

Amy’s Veggie Burgers

Our 2nd time having these. We both think these are pretty good. Made with organic vegetables and quinoa. Handy to keep in the freezer when you don’t have time or energy to prepare something from scratch. I served them with home-made baked potato chips. Downside is they are a little pricey compared to some other faux burgers.

Vintage Serving Dishes


I recently acquired these vintage serving dishes. They’re marked Maddux Of California on the bottoms. Googling the Maddux name I found this site and page and what appears to be the same dishes in a 1966 catalog but in a different color. Looks like It originally had more little dishes and a wooden lazy susan with the set.

Cauliflower & Potato Soup

Notes: I’m not big on soup and Nova’s not big on cauliflower but we both thought this was great. I didn’t mash the vegetables and left them chunky. Serves 3 to 4.

Ingredients:
4 cups chopped onion
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 1/2 cups water, divided
3 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 large carrots, diced
1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
2 cups vegetable broth
2 Tbsp cashew or peanut butter
2 Tbsp low-sodium tamari
sea salt and cracked pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat onion, salt, and 1/2 cup water, then simmer on low for approximately 20 minutes, or until the onions cook down to a nice mush. Check to make sure the water is sufficient, and then add 1/4 cup water as needed, so the onions don’t burn on the bottom of the pot.

Add the potatoes, celery, carrots, and cauliflower along with 2 cups of water and the vegetable broth. Simmer until all of the vegetables are soft–about 20 minutes. Add the cashew or peanut butter and tamari.

Mash with a potato masher (or an immersion blender) until the soup is mostly smooth, with some chunks. Season with cracked pepper and sea salt to taste.

Variations:
Add one bunch of freshly chopped kale, mustard greens, or collard greens 5 to 8 minutes before serving.

Source: Not A Crazy Vegan.

Homemade Granola Bars

Notes: I follow the Old World Garden Farms blog where they recently posted this recipe. We made these today and both thought these were really good. We made ours using chocolate rice cereal. Next time we may try different dried fruit and maybe some .
Edit: We’ve since been making these with chocolate chips and have also tried craisins and carob chips.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup puffed or crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup chopped or slivered nuts (I used almond slivers)
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup or agave nectar to make it vegan friendly)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons peanut butter (or any nut butter freshly ground)

Instructions:
1. Heat the oven to 325°F. Line the baking pan with parchment, leaving extra parchment to hang over 2 of the sides. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Mix the oats, cereal, nuts, and raisins together in a mixing bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix the honey, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and peanut butter.
4. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until the ingredients are completely coated and start to stick together in clumps.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Use an extra piece of parchment paper to firmly press the mixture into the pan.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes for chewy granola bars or 25-30 minutes for crunchy bars. As soon as you remove the bars from the oven, press them again with the back of a lightly oiled spatula for well compacted granola bars.

Source: Old World Garden Farms

Family Furniture


Pictured are furniture that I was recently given that belonged to a family member. The NightStand and Book Shelf were made in High School shop class nearly 60 years ago by an Uncle. The folding table “tv tray” I believe was made by a family friend. In the photo I have the drawer removed from the night stand and have already started removing the finish.


I decided to give the night stand a distressed painted finish. Some how we acquired several containers of Sherwin Williams sample paint. I picked one (Privilege Green) and gave the nightstand a couple coats with it. I then sanded through the paint to bare wood in some places. I hit the bare spots with a Minwax oak stain. I then gave everything a coat of Minwax water based clear.


The piece is currently in our basement “poker room”.