ACORN SPREAD

 It definitely feels like fall, with the acorns falling from my big oak tree. I read where a mature oak tree can produce up to 10,000 acorns in a season. One day I was looking at them covering my back yard, and thinking there is surely a use for them, other than fall decorations. I went to Google and found recipes for this plentiful nut. I didn't want to go to the trouble of making them into flour, but I did find I could make a spread. I was intrigued, I must try it.

The process is length, but I gathered some acorns and went to work. They must be boiled, changing the water three or four times, to remove the tannin. Once this was done, I simmered in apple juice for 20 minutes. Acorns have very little oil, so I added vegetable oil and sugar. I tasted it... it needs something. A dollop of peanut butter and a squirt of chocolate syrup, then processed until it resembled something that was spreadable.

My brother, sister-in-law and mother were my taste testers. They didn't make a face when they tasted it. That's a good sign. It has a slight hazelnut taste. It's one of those foods that you have to acquire a taste for. My brother said he wanted a small container of it, and I have about a cup of the spread. I will have this on my toast for breakfast, but I doubt I will make more. 

Does anyone have a recipe they like for acorns? Let me know.

MY SEWING ROOM

I have always wanted a room designated for sewing. My dream has come true. My table is finished, and I've already put it to use. My brother wanted a cover for his patio chairs. I had enough WeatherMax to make his cover. It is two-toned, but it gets the job done. 

The top is 8'x8', with a hole for my sewing machine and a cut out for me to sit behind the machine.  The sewing cabinet with my smaller machine fits in a cut out at the far corner. The shelf underneath is 4'x8' and easily stores bolts of goods.

I love my table!

Capt. Eric Kellen

 

In December 2007, I first stepped onto Capt. Eric Kellen's sailboat, s/v Escapades, and fell in love with sailing. I started sailing on his Irwin 41 ketch, with instruction from Eric. He was a very patient instructor. Dale and I crewed for him for about three years. There were many overnight trips and several three and four day weekend trips. They were so much fun. Those are some of my favorite memories.

Eric & I have kept in touch over the years, and I invited him to come sail on my boat, s/v Gdnuff. We went out to a small lake on the north side of Lubbock, and launched her. There wasn't a lot of wind and sometimes shaded by trees. But with a strong gust, she was up on plane a time or two. She's in a different class than Eric's Irwin, but he had a great time. 

Capt. Eric always had good sailing stories. One day, he was telling us of a writer that overheard he and his friends talking about sailing, and she came over and joined in, asking questions, as she was doing research for her book. They were going out again the next day, so they invited her along. To pay Eric for his generosity, she said she would name one of the characters after him... and so she did. Of course I bought a copy, and have read it. While he was here, I asked him to sign my copy. 

Thank you Eric for many, many wonderful memories.

Gdnuff Got Wet

 FINALLY! I splashed Gdnuff. She was built on the back porch of my mother's house, which sits next to a park with water. They call it a "lake", but really it's a big pond. Anyway, I splashed the boat there so my mother could see her sailing. The wind was about 13 mph this morning, but shadowed by the houses and trees nearby. Once I got out in the open, the wind was better. She was scooting right along, I was pleased with her. I do feel like I will be in the drink, if I don't pay close attention. My next outing will be a capsize test. 

PROGRESS

When I received the plans for the boat, I didn't pay much attention to the sail. And when it was time to build the sail, I just sent the sail page to Sailrite and they made a kit for me. This sail has a sleeve for the mast, and a zipper in the sleeve. I didn't pay must attention to that... until I had already sewn the sail. Not a problem, I ordered the 10 foot zipper and installed it.

NOW the sail is finished, complete with battens and telltales. And of course, the sail needs a proper bag!

I moved Gdnuff out from under the patio so I could step the mast. The mast is 16', and looks really tall, but it is light and I had no trouble holding it upright and sliding into the mast partner and down to the step. The boom has all the hardware attached now, and I attached it to the mast. The wind was too high to add the sail today.