My nephew is an inventor. Quite a brilliant one. His inventions have revolutionized the film industry and won awards in Hollywood. He is Banjo Man’s nephew, so unfortunately I don’t share any of his Genetic Inventor Code.
I’ve spent the last two weeks–on and off–trying to come up with a way to hang quilted curtains snug against the window frames and save tons of money on our propane bill. These energy-saving curtains were for my office, the coldest room in the house. The idea was to cover the windows properly and therefore be able to turn on the electric baseboard heat once in a while. You know, on those really cold winter days like today. When the wind is blowing.
And yes, I do own approximately two dozen pairs of vintage drapes in assorted fabrics and colors, but drapes would cover the baseboards and catch on fire (Banjo Man is constantly warning me of this). Blinds break and aren’t that insulating. So I dug out some old upholstery material and stitched up some quilted covers.
Note: if you are measuring and cutting large amounts of fabric, do not listen to the Band Chick music lessons on the computer. You may start singing and cut the fabric in the wrong place and have to sew things back together in order to cover your windows.
I devised a complicated system of magnets, rods and hot glue. It didn’t work. I revised it a number of times. I even took pictures, in case this clever strategy worked well enough to blog about.
In the end I was left with a huge mess of dried glue chunks, sore fingers, cold windows, dirty magnets and a strong desire to move to Florida. This afternoon I gave up and settled for a typical rod, which hangs weirdly and needs another nail. And I still have the other side to sew.
Yuk.
I took a break and fled to the kitchen, where a happier project/invention/creation awaited after I fried pork chops.
Orange-cinnamon liqueur. Two weeks ago I asked Banjo Man to save his orange peels (he religiously wolfs down two oranges a day) and I made a batch of candied orange peels out of them.
If you have any idea what I can do with candied orange peels, feel free to let me know. I didn’t think that far ahead.
The orange peels kept a-comin’ so I had another bright idea: cover them with vodka. After conducting exhaustive internet research, I learned the basic idea is to drown the peels in vodka, refrigerate for a month (be sure to shake the jar each day) and then do something with simple syrup and cheesecloth (I’ll have to find that website again in February).
Once again, any and all advice will be appreciated.
Many moons ago Dancing Mandolin Player and I made raspberry and cherry liqueurs. I think we used vodka. Maybe. Sometimes the past is a bit blurry, but I do remember how pretty the jars looked and how very good they tasted. Did we add sugar? Did we strain it? Did we drink it?
Of course we did. I think I remember that part.
is there any more pie? 
1. You probably already tried this–a sheet of plastic to cover the entire window area? You know the kind you put on with a hair dryer. Do they still make that?
2. You could revert back to medieval times and hang a lovely tapestry over both windows, starting with hooks and screws well above the frame so no cold air will get in.
3. Cut out styrofoam/sheet of acrylic in the shape of the window and duct tape it in the frame.
4. Sit back and enjoy the orange liquor and call your nephew.
1. They still make it, though it’s pricey. I’m not sure I want that “weatherproofed shack” look, but it’s still a possibility. I read a lot of pros and cons about it–guess there is trouble with the tape adhering?
2. I’ve done the tapestry thing in the living room, but there are still gaps I haven’t fixed yet.
3. I wonder if I could cut that hard pink styrofoam stuff to fit the windows tightly enough so I wouldn’t need duct tape??? There has to be an air pocket between the glass and the insulation so condensation doesn’t build up, though. I see a trip to Home Depot in my future. Great idea.
4. Uh-oh. He has caller ID.
We had a bumper crop of raspberries this year and yes, I made liqueur. I have a couple of gallon jars and fill them gently to the top with freshly picked berries, then fill it to the top with vodka. I put it in the cellar and it sits there for 3 months. When ready to bottle I pour off the vodka, it is a ravishing red. The best part ot this day is that you make a sugar water mixture( 1 3/4c. sugar to 1 c. water) add it to the juice. You can add as much sugar/water mixture as you want to, your tasting. It is a happy day in the kitchen!! In the old days I would use a strainer and mashed the remaining berries, then put that in a cheesecloth but I now throw away those raspberries drenched with vodka. Actually, I think I should freeze those berries and bring them out in the summer for a summer drink!!
If you were here, “more pie”, we could share a taste of Hope….mmmmm…sure is good !!! DMP
I think it’s against the law to throw away vodka-soaked raspberries.
Would the expandable curtain rods work there? They’re pretty handy. I make raspberry liqueur too, but always add the sugar with the vodka, also delicious–thanks for sharing yours this year Ellie.
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