German Waters

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

One thing that I had not even factored into my upcoming move, and my trip to Germany was a change in the taste of water. Our water in Eugene at Baker Boulevard is simply the best. It might be the copper pipes, but it taste fresh.

So I decided to test out two German waters and compare it with the Evian water.

The Evian water tastes mineral-infused, rather than fresh-glacial. The one on the left, in the glass bottle, has the strongest mineral taste. Mostly I bought it for the glass bottle over the plastics, but it is also not to my tastes.

Staining the deck

Posted on August 24, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

A few years ago I stained a deck and I got a Shur-line wide applicator. It only came with one tray which was a pain. I can’t find where to get more trays. If anyone has a pointer let me know!

Also this tool looks awesome. Also by Shur-line.

Screened

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

Some of our screens needed repair. And so I did it.

Vodka to vanilla extract

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

In 2008, on the occasion of my wedding, my brother Jeremiah gave me a bottle of grey goose. There is a deeper story about why he gave me grey goose, but in 2024 Becky and I turned it into vanilla extract. The extract is flavorful and I used it in cooking and possibly a jam as well.

Empty Gray Goose bottle. Full vanilla bottle.

Baseboard install

Posted on August 11, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

Another day of zero tolerance cutting.

That weird corner is 42.5° on each side. It is greater that 90° but the near corner (convex) is 90°

Finishing the baseboard I never installed.

Strawberry and Riesling 2024

Posted on August 11, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

This is very likely the last jam for a few years.

Earlier this season we got a number of pounds of strawberries and froze them. Tonight we chopped them in the ninja and then cooked them down in a double batch using certo gelatin packs. I also added 1 1/3 cups of Château St. Michelle 2014 ‘harvest select’ Riesling. It was exceptionally golden wine that year and the year before if I recall correctly.

It may not be as golden now 10 years later but it still tasted good.

As I recall there was a significant number of CSM corks that lost their bottom segment when they were opened.

Finished jam in the back and one of three batches this year.

Thanks Becky! 10 years ago we got this wine for this purpose. Mission accomplished.

Doorstops

Posted on August 10, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

Last time we rented out our house… someone left an impression… in the wall. Preventative measures were taken to prevent such atrocities in the future via a section of 2×4 and a piece of carpet which were laying around… today I am happy to introduce to you a new counter measure in the form of a new doorstop acquired from the ReStore for 50¢. (No popping tags).

And since we have the old drywall we’ll put that back too

Swimming

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Hugh Paterson III

Katja, we don’t swim because some coach thinks we have skill, or because some race will be easily won, or because we like some teammate. We swim because the water needs a swimmer like us and deserves the fastest we can give it.