American Heirlooms - December 2021

American Heirlooms - December 2021

302-653-2411

DECEMBER 2021

A RECAP OF THE 2021 GARDENING SEASON

Bethany has always had what some may call a “green thumb.” When she was a teenager, she became known among family and friends for growing great strawberry crops each year, and she continues that today. Her enthusiasm for the garden seems to rub off on the children, too, who happily help her till, plant, weed, and harvest crops of all varieties. I’m certainly happy to see their excitement for the garden. There’s something satisfying about digging in the dirt with your bare hands. It’s a down-to-earth connection to survival because you’re not dependent on a

distance between food and table, nor is there much reliance on anyone else but yourself, your skills, and your understanding of nature. I’m grateful to Bethany for the skills and values she’s teaching our children through her gardening, and during the winter, we all enjoy the fruits of her labor in many of our meals. If you were to walk into my family’s home on any given summer or fall day, you may smell the sweet, fresh aroma of produce being prepared for the canning process. This year’s garden produced a bountiful harvest, which Bethany prepared and canned. To offer a sampling, we harvested corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, peas, beans, and strawberries, with a few other fruits and vegetables mixed in, too. (We also have a small basil crop just off the back door. It’s a nice addition to pizza.) Just recently, Bethany concocted and canned a batch of snack peppers and also applesauce — with fresh apples she sourced from friends with orchards. The tangy scent of the peppers later

intermingled with the sweet, juicy scent of the apples. As these smells filled our house, it became difficult not to dig in immediately! It’s easy to appreciate the work that went into each meal as we enjoy our freshly canned produce each winter. In addition to planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting, and preparing, we are mindful of the pests and rodents that try to steal some of our fresh produce for their own nests. This year, we had to fend off two groundhogs, five opossums, and three skunks! We managed to take care of the pests without damaging our crop, but that didn’t come without its own set of challenges. As we head into the winter, I’m grateful for all the work Bethany and our children have done canning and gardening. There’s something to be said for enjoying a farm-to-table meal, especially when the garden is your own. Somehow, the food just tastes better.

grocery store and their supply chain to produce your food. It’s you and God's creation: the seed, sun, rain, and dirt. Perhaps more convincing of a garden’s value is that what’s grown there tastes better, too. Going out to eat is a convenience, but you can’t beat the quality of home-grown and prepared food. There isn’t much

If you’re a fellow gardener, I hope you are also enjoying a bountiful harvest.

–Ethan Zimmerman

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It's easy to forget that the air quality in our home isn't just magically clean! Dust, contaminants, and allergens can easily circulate in your home. Your furnace filter is your first line of defense — but it won’t clean your home’s air if you don’t replace it often. A dirty filter can even cause expensive utility bills and damage your HVAC equipment. Understand the truth about furnace filters. Furnace filters are designed to trap airborne contaminants to prevent them from entering your heating and cooling system! So, when you forget to change your filter, the delicate components of your heating and cooling equipment suffer. For example, imagine your filter is dirty and clogged. Your HVAC system might continue to run, but air won’t circulate properly. Your system has to expend more energy to operate, and you’ll probably turn up the heat because it’s not working as efficiently. Your equipment is working twice as hard for half the result. Many other problems can occur when furnace filters aren’t changed, including “short-cycling” your HVAC equipment. Dust-heavy filters can cause your equipment to run at a higher

temperature, and it might overheat and shut off. Even though it might cool down and start up again, the cycle will continue in the same short bursts, thus “short-cycling.”

Change the filter regularly. This varies from home to home. With more people living in the house, especially those with allergies, and a few furry friends, you may want to consider replacing your filter more often. However, a great way to determine how often to change it is to look at what type of filter you have, categorized by thickness: For 1–2-inch filters , replace them every 1–3 months. For 3–4-inch filters , replace them every 6–9 months. For 5–6-inch filters , replace them every 9–12 months. If you need more help, try calling your local HVAC professional and get their opinion! They may even give you further information and insights about keeping your home’s air quality healthy.

We often think of Niagara Falls for its beauty and impressive creation. After all, every minute, 6 million cubic feet of water gushes over the impressive cliff face of the falls, which creates a majestic view unlike anything else between the U.S. and Canada. As a result, the falls welcome millions of tourists every year, but some are a little more adventurous than others. While many people see the majesty and beauty of the falls, others have looked at Niagara Falls and wondered, “Can I ride down Niagara Falls — in a barrel ?” According to our friends at Thomas Insights, 16 people have asked that very question and taken the 170-foot plunge in a barrel. Each one has withstood more than 600,000 thousand gallons of water pressure and landed on the jagged, coarse rocks at the bottom.

The chance of survival is very low. While some have tried to mitigate these obstacles with specialty barrels, others relied on the built-in ingenuity of a normal barrel and careened toward the bottom. The most famous of these brave plungers — and someone who used home-grown engineering in her barrel — is Annie Edson Taylor, a 63-year-old retired school teacher. In 1901, Taylor turned a pickle barrel into a device for floating over and down the falls. Taylor, who claimed to be 43 years old at the time, compressed the air in the barrel with a bike tire air pump and filled the barrel with pillows and an anvil. Taylor then strapped herself — and her cat — into the barrel and plunged off the falls.

on her forehead. Her success earned her the name “The Heroine of Niagara Falls,” and others have tried to follow her journey, some plunging as recently as 2012. However, this journey isn’t without its dangers. Just 10 barrel riders have survived the course down Niagara Falls. It’s painfully obvious that the structure and water of the falls were not meant for humans in a barrel. While the history is quirky, it’s not one we recommend adding your name to.

Taylor’s journey ended pleasantly. She only sustained a concussion and a cut

2 • THE SWISS CRAFTSMAN

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There are few sounds more peaceful than a crackling fire in a woodstove or fireplace. However, as useful and calming as woodstoves and fireplaces are, these devices can be destructive when not properly prepared for the winter. As temperatures continue to drop and snowfall is imminent, clean and prepare your heat source now for a warm, safe, and peaceful home.

flammable deposits that are often the source of chimney fires . If you do not feel confident in your understanding of chimney health, consider seeking professional guidance for cleaning and repair. (Some experts recommend relying on professionals if your chimney buildup is greater than 1/8-inch deep.) However, if you have the patience and know- how, chimney cleaning can be done on your own. While the cleaning process will depend on each chimney, there are a few basics. For starters, clean out the ashes from the firebox and remove the grate. Then, open a door or window for proper ventilation as you clean. Messes can also be minimized by covering the front opening of your fireplace or woodstove with plastic and using a shop vac. For the actual cleaning process, utilize hard bristled brushes shaped and sized for your chimney.

Let’s start with your woodpile. While it’s too late to bolster this

Take caution around the flames. You should always have a metal or glass door in front of the fire opening, and never set flammable or items that could melt near the woodstove or fireplace. Furthermore, teach children to be careful around the heat source. As you look to a woodstove or fireplace for heat and comfort this winter, seek guidance from your stove or fireplace manufacturer for proper care and cleaning tips.

season’s pile, you can get started on next year’s stack. Wood should season — dry — for at least 6–8 months or until it reaches 20% moisture content to avoid heavy soot deposits. Inspect and clean your chimney prior to frequent winter use. Soot can accumulate on the inside of the chimney wall, causing easily

INGREDIENTS • 2 quarts water • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp cardamom

• 2 peppermint tea bags • 1 cinnamon stick, smashed with side of knife

DIRECTIONS

1. Add water to medium pot. 2. Bring to a boil. 3. Add rest of ingredients.

4. Boil for 1 minute. 5. Strain and serve.

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Brought to you by KCS Builders of American Heirlooms and Penns Creek Furniture 291 Blackiston Rd. • Clayton, DE 19938 Phone: (302) 653-2411 • Email: [email protected] The Swiss Craftsman

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Inside this Issue

Why I’m Grateful for Bethany’s ‘Green Thumb’ Page 1

Why You Need to Replace Your Furnace Filter

You Can Go Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel — But Don’t Page 2

Mind Woodstove and Fireplace Safety This Winter

Cardamom Tea Page 3

Decorate Your Gingerbread House Like a Pro Page 4

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE LIKE A PRO

One of the most popular holiday traditions has become making and decorating gingerbread houses. The tradition began in Germany in the early 1800s and originated from Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel." Some shy away from the idea of making their own gingerbread house, but have no fear — if the Germans did it in the early 1800s, so can you! To simplify things, many gingerbread houses come with baked pieces and a full decorating kit. This helps you have more time for the best part: the actual decorating! Each kit usually comes with fun candy and icing, so you can make something really awesome for the holidays! Icing will be your best friend. Think of it as the yummy glue that holds everything together while also acting

as a colorful trim for your gingerbread house. However, because it’ll keep the house from falling, be sure to use a lot! Spice drops also make for a great trim and “roofing.” Just use icing to hold them in place. Alternate between colors or use a variety to make your house really pop. M&Ms are certainly a must-have for anyone decorating their gingerbread house. Not only are they delicious, but they also make cute little accents all over the house and yard. Mini cookies of your choice may also make a deliciously good-looking roof. Try layering them up for a dimensional look! And, for extra pizazz, strategically place mini candy canes throughout the yard and on either side of the front doors and windows.

If you want to get really detailed, try using actual candy bars as fire logs in the fireplace. Just be sure to store your gingerbread house in a cool area so nothing will melt! Whether you prefer a simple gingerbread house or a flashy one, any and ALL candy can be used! Get decorating and be sure to have a bite of candy along the way!

4 • THE SWISS CRAFTSMAN

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