Monday, September 12, 2016


Filter.




After nearly a decade of going the 
name-brand fillable water pitcher filtration route (I'm guessing you know which one I'm eluding to) I decided our family needed a change. To something a little more sustainable and a little less etched, cloudy, probably leaching toxins, plastic.

Never mind the whole buying new inserts, recycling the old inserts thing.

(Thankfully, though, we do have a place to recycle them in our city.)

So when I came across the above, couldn't be simpler, method I was sold.

I ordered the Japanese binchotan charcoal sticks on Amazon. (Is there anything Amazon doesn't sell? I mean, really? Is there?) And the glass 1 gallon Mason jar with spigot from Macy's.

The rest is purely science. Or maybe magic. Or perhaps sheer delusion on my part?

I mean, I know, it's a stick. In water.

But our water does taste better. We don't have to fill a pitcher 5+ times a day. Those other plastic insert filters are filled with the same charcoal, essentially. (It's just ground up. And contained.) And after about 
2-3 months, when this stick has served it's purpose, I can toss it into our compost and start over.

Very much worth it in my mind.

There is a tiny bit of maintenance, of course. Beside sanitizing the jar, first thing, and cleaning it regularly. 

Before it's first use you are supposed to brush the charcoal stick clean under cold running water and then boil it for 10 minutes to activate it. And you continue to do the boiling for 10 minutes thing every 2 weeks or so. To refresh the charcoal, as the instructions, that come included, say.

But that's it.

Not bad. And not plastic.

(P.S. They do sell specifically designed glass jars, for the charcoal sticks, on Amazon. I just wanted something that didn't require pouring. So my suddenly very interested in drinking more water, because there's a cool, black, stick in it, 8 year old could just help herself.)


Friday, September 9, 2016


Spice.




Just in time for Fall and the "Pumpkin spice" everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) season is this lovely little syrup. Full of the warm, deep flavors and aromas that conjure up images of turning leaves, waning daylight hours and that certain, welcome nip in the air it's the perfect addition to your morning coffee, your afternoon latte or your evening cup of warm milk.

It is, however, sans pumpkin.

Because.

Sometimes enough is enough.


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Monday, September 5, 2016



Vintage.




Some new to me treasures from the neighborhood consignment store.

Small wood Mandolin slicer. Because my plastic one gave out ages ago. And was a NIGHTMARE to clean.

Pinking shears. Because everything looks neater with zigzag edges. Seems backwards, I know. But it's true.

Linen napkins. Set of 6. Because it was time for my polyester ones to go.

Glass storage jar. Because my vanilla beans came in this very cool test tube thing. But you can't actually stand it up. And it tends to try and roll out of my cupboard if I'm not careful.

Second glass storage jar. Because I acquired even more mother of pearl buttons from my grandma's old button box. And now they all have a home.

Thermos. Because it is quite possibly the cutest thing ever. And I have plans to use it this fall. And it was still in it's original packaging. With paper label and seal and everything.

Thursday, September 1, 2016


Board balm.



Otherwise known as TLC for parched cutting boards and lackluster wooden spoons.

1 part organic beeswax
3 parts unrefined coconut oil

Melt together in a double boiler. Stir gently and pour carefully into a sterilized container. 

Use as necessary and desired, smearing a finger dab or two or three onto your wooden surface of choice. And buffing in with a well worn rag.

Let sit several hours or overnight. Then add more. Or rebuff. Or simply call it good.

A satisfying little task to undertake when your hands are feeling neglected. And you have some serious thinking to do.