Dryer Balls

  Earlier in the year, my sister sent me two dryer balls she swears by.  They are white felted wool with a face drawn on each one.  The idea is you throw them in the dryer with a load and voila you get soft clothing.  They are supposed to replace dryer sheets.

Some of the big reasons, I've seen for using dryer balls is that they are more economical to use, cut down on the amount of chemicals you and your family are being exposed to, and are ecologically sound if you buy the wool ones.

Apparently, dryer balls move through your laundry, separating pieces so they dry faster and more evening due to being exposed to the hot air.  In addition, they fluff your laundry, reduce the number of wrinkles, and bash it to make it softer. However, they should only be used in small and medium loads because they need space to move in.  A large load does not have as much space available so the dryer balls do not work as well. 

Dryer balls are made out of several types of materials but the wool ones are supposed to be the best because they are made out of 100% wool and are completely natural.  The nice thing about wool dryer balls is that you can add a few drops of essential oils them so they release the scent when drying.  Be sure to let the balls set for 10 to 20 minutes after putting the essential oils on so they are absorbed into the ball.

One claim is that dryer balls also cut down on the amount of static cling after being dried.  I honestly don't know if that claim is true because I haven't owned mine long enough to check that out.  I have to wait till spring before my static cling season arrives.

If you are into making things yourself, all you need to do is get a skein of 100% wool yarn.  Just make sure its not super wash or machine washable because those will not felt.  Make a ball out of the yarn by creating a core and going around and around and around, much like you do when you take a skein and turn it into a wrapped ball for knitting.

When the ball gets to the size you want be it tennis ball, baseball, or softball, tuck the end of the yarn in the ball with a crochet hook.  Place the ball in a nylon stocking (Use those ones with runs), tie it securely inside with a couple pieces of yarn and throw into the laundry with a load on hot wash and cold rinse.  When done, place the whole thing in the dryer on the highest heat setting. At the end, you should have a dryer ball ready to use.

I'd love to hear your experiences with dryer balls.  Have a great day.

Travel Around Christmas.

  Living in Alaska can present some interesting issues when trying to travel out of state at Thanksgiving or Christmas time. This year has been horrendous weather wise for travel from the village due to fog, snow, wind, and a few other things.

So this year, I ended up putting a three day layover in Anchorage before I leave the state because if I don't leave the village on time, I could miss my connecting flight out of the local hub.  There are only three flights a day to Anchorage.  If I miss that, I could miss my connecting flight out of state and that is the biggie because it can be difficult to rebook on the next flight. 

Most people do not have those issues.  If they have connectivity issues, its usually because a big storm has shut down the whole eastern seaport or the middle states around Chicago.  Other than those issues, have you wondered what days are the best or worst for traveling around Christmas?  I began wondering just the other day.

The definition for best and worst days in air travel have to do with cost and number of people who are predicted to fly on those days.  The worst days usually cost more and have more people scheduled while best means the cost is less with fewer people traveling.

The worst days to travel at Christmas time this year are Friday December 22, Saturday December 23, and Sunday December 24th.  I'm scheduled to travel the 23rd because I had a couple upgrades and that was the day where I found some first class available without going through Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.   It also gives me a few days incase I cannot get out of the village due to weather.

For New Years, try to avoid December 29th and January 2nd since Christmas and New Year's are both on a Monday.  By taking a few vacation days, people end up with a full 10 day holiday. 

Its often hard to determine which dates have the best fares and which the worst because the prices are set according to a complex formula which takes into account competition, demand, seasonality, etc so the prices often change from day to day.  Often though the flights on Christmas and New Years are cheaper.  I've traveled on New Years day and it was wonderful as far as not being as crazy as usual.

Its recommended you get your tickets several months out because that is when you are most likely to get the best fares as the fares tend to rise the closer you get to the major holiday.  The best time to buy tickets for a Christmas trip is the beginning of October when most prices are at their lowest.  It is also suggested that if you find a good deal, buy it as soon as you see it because it may be gone the next time you look.

If you have some flexibility in your travel plans, check a few days before you want to leave, and a few days after you want to return to see if there are any lower fares.  I've noticed even during the summer, one or two days either side of my preferred dates can save me between $50 and $100 each way. 

Although it is November, it is still possible to get a good deal by watching fairs and checking different airlines.  If you are going to Hawaii or Florida, check out package deals that include hotel and airfare as they can provide a great deal.

Let me know what you think.  Have a great day.

When Did Turkey Become A Part of Christmas?

  We just finished Thanksgiving, complete with turkey and all its trimmings.  I know why I have turkey at Thanksgiving since it has to do with pilgrims and what was available but what about Christmas.  When did it become popular to eat turkey for Christmas dinner.

It actually become popular at Christmas time, much earlier than I would have guessed. I've come across two different stories on how the turkey came to Europe.

One story says a trader, William Strickland, brought several turkeys with him to England when he returned  from the New World in 1526 while another states the Spanish brought turkey's from the New World.  The use of turkeys or "Indian Chicken" spread across Europe.  There is a cookbook from Frankfort in 1581 with 20 recipes that use this bird.

Prior to this time, people would eat geese, peacocks, or boars heads for the Christmas meals but turkeys were great for the Christmas meals because farmers did not have to kill their cows or chickens as they provided milk and eggs which could be sold off.  In addition, turkeys were something different, providing a change. 

Although King Henry the Eighth introduced the idea of having turkey on Christmas day, it was not until the 20th century when King Edward VII make it popular that it over took the traditional goose in England.  In America, its a different story.

Turkey's born in the spring could eat enough bugs and other things to grow to a size large enough to feed a family and as stated earlier they could be slaughtered without loosing money.  In addition, they were cheaper than geese or chickens and thus were more economical. 

It is thought the traditional Christmas dinner of turkey with gravy and stuffing, and plum pudding became more popular when Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol in 1843. When Scrooge gave the turkey to the Cratchit family, it cemented having turkey at Christmas for the middle and upper classes.  This story was quite popular in both the United Kingdom and in America.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthy always planned to have either game or beef because turkey became associated with the poor since they often received turkey's from various charities.


When I was growing up my parents would buy the biggest turkey they could afford for Thanksgiving and then a second one for Christmas.  We lived off of the left overs for probably 6 weeks because my mother would use it all including the bones, skin, etc to make soup.  Turkey noodle soup was the last thing on the list.

We had turkey for the big meal, then left overs in the form of hot turkey sandwiches followed by a turkey shepherds pie (great use for the left over mashed potatoes),  mashed candied yams with mashed potatoes for part of a meal, and finally soup made with the neck, bones, skin, giblets, and anything else she could use. 

I suspect everyone has their own traditions like this.  Let me know what you think.  Have a great day.

Making Their Own Entertainment.

  All the snow we got last month melted slowly over a two week period.  The lake thawed and the river stayed open enough for people to go out boating and fishing.  In fact, there was enough moisture that came down to turn the ground into a muddy, sloggy, mess.

About a week ago, the temperatures dropped and the mud froze enough to walk on without getting stuck.  Then it hit.  It rained and the temperature dropped so the water became a layer of glare ice on the roads, the boardwalks, even the ground. 

Going anywhere in the village was taking your life in your hands.  People who took out their four wheelers (ATV) complained that they slid off the roads due to the smoothness of the ice.  It was just too dangerous to venture out.  I only went from home to work and back again.

Tuesday was just a bit better in that a small layer of snow fell over the ice so it was just a bit safer but still treacherous.  Several of us managed to borrow one of the school vehicles to go to the post office.  I wish I'd brought my camera for the trip but I didn't even have my cell phone so all I can do is describe my view.

All the roads in town are gravel covered dirt that may or may not survive all the four wheelers using it when wet.  However, on the Tuesday in question, the road was a sheet of flare ice which slowed down traffic and opened up play possibilities for children. 

As we parked by the Post Office, we saw two children, each on a small sled, coming down the iced over board walk from the Catholic Church, past the head start building, down to the bottom of the hill before using a hand to cause the sleds to make a sharp right turn on the road so they continued along the road before friction slowed them down by the old head start building.  Last seen, the two children were heading back up the hill to make another run.

On the road back to school, after a brief stop at the store for some last minute Thanksgiving supplies, we had to slow down because three young ladies used the breeze to push them along the iced road.  The smooth ice allowed them to slide along with little resistance.  Occasionally they fell but not at the same time.  Our driver had so watch them carefully as she maneuvered her way through the group.

After passing the girls, we had a wonderful view of several students out on the partially frozen ice.  They had fun opening their coats to capture the wind and used it to move them across the lake.  A few managed to go quite a distance before falling over.

The one thing I noticed for all the children out on the ice, is that they were persistent.  Every time they fell, they got up and continued on their merry way.  It was wonderful.  I wish I had the fearlessness to do something like that but I've reached an age where I know what could happen if I fell wrong so I refuse to take a chance.  On the other hand, I can laugh with them and enjoy their trips.

Let me know what you think.  Oh and we now have enough snow on the ground to cover the ice but its the powder snow so I'm still wearing my ice cleats when I go out.  Have a great day.

Playtime 2

Playtime 1.

Canstruction

de.wikipedia.org

The other day while reading up on Thanksgiving math activities, I came across a group called Canstruction.  This group using art competitions across the nation to gather cans of food for food banks in a unique and entertaining way.

 

Canstruction was inspired in 1992 by a group of New York architects and engineers.  It began small but has grown to encompass the country with four different competitions from Citywide, junior, university, to custom.

Citywide is where a city chapter organizes a competition for adults to create a piece of art.  The team is encouraged to find a member from the building industry to help with the structure.  They are also responsible for purchasing all the cans of food used in the structure. At the end, there is judging and the winners get to participate in an international competition.

The junior division is for students aged 10 to 18 but the people who run it may choose whether it is competitive or noncompetitive.  Students get a chance to learn so much while creating the final structure. They are expected to fund raise enough money to purchase all the cans needed and they are encouraged to find an advisor to help them. One who knows about physics, math, architecture, or construction.

The youth event for university students can also choose if its competitive or noncompetitive.  Again they must raise money to purchase cans and look for an advisor but if they cannot, there is a basic kit with a template and instructions on making a structure.  Both the junior division and youth division require a deposit.  At the end, all canned food must be donated to a local hunger relief organization. The last is custom structures designed to promote a local business. 

 

Since its inception, the group has raised over 50 million pounds of food for donation. If you do a search, you can find all sorts of creations from Bugs Bunny to a can of Spam, to a mostly eaten apple, to one of the Despicable.  

I was impressed with the engineering and creativity involved in each sculpture.  Check them out and enjoy their creations.  Let me know what you think.