508-397-5663 p.paulpeters@comcast.net paul-peters.homesweethome.digital
courtesy of: Paul Peters
Dear Homeowners Whether it’s getting together to celebrate with family and friends or having a quiet night in, I hope you’re loving the comfort of home this December. This month, Home Sweet Home includes designer strategies for stylish and functional indoor lighting to brighten up your spaces even if it’s cold outside. If you’re like me and haven’t finished (or started!) your holiday shopping, check out the inspiring article on giving gifts of experience. There are over two dozen creative and unique ideas to give as gifts this year. This issue of Home Sweet Home features our beginner’s guide to the art of fermentation with introductions to sourdough bread and home-brewed beer and kombucha. These homemade treats also make great gifts for the holidays! On a serious note, it’s so important to me that you and your family stay safe in your home this winter. Statistically, our homes are more at risk for fire in the winter months, so please review the Home Fire Prevention Checklist so you can ensure that your home is protected.
Finally, if you’re looking to start the new year in the best shape financially, check out the tips for staying on a budget that aligns with your goals.
I’m wishing you the best December and hope the gift of this magazine inspires you with ways to further enjoy your home sweet home! Paul Peters Keller Williams Boston Metro West
508-397-5663 p.paulpeters@comcast.net paul-peters.homesweethome.digital 161 Worcester Rd. Suite 504 Framingham, Ma. 01701
Giving the Gift of Experiences The gift of an experience can make powerful, lasting memories for both giver and recipient. Here are over two dozen ideas to inspire you! 07 The Ancient Art of Fermentation Home Sweet Home ’s Introduction to Homemade Sourdough, Kombucha & Beer D iscovered by ancient cultures as a method by which to preserve food and drink, fermentation has recently had an artisanal resurgence on the food scene. Chefs, bakers, and brewers are rediscovering and honing this process in many of our favorite foods. In this guide learn how to try your hand at fermenting new tastes in your own kitchen. 09 Table of Contents As the days grow shorter and darkness falls earlier, you may find yourself in need of new lighting options to brighten your living space. We put together some creative ideas for lighting solutions. 04 Lighting Your Home in Winter
Recipes
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Kombucha Pomegranate Fizz
Buttery Beer Bread 16
Home Fire Prevention Checklist As winter cold sets in for many of us, we tend to spend more time indoors and rely on heaters to keep our homes warm. On average, heaters cause 52,050 household fires per year. Even if you aren’t in a cold climate, these fire prevention tips are best practices for keeping our homes and families safe. 17 Whether you’re watching every dollar or you just hope to avoid a balance on the January credit card bill, making a budget—and sticking to it—can make the holiday aftermath as joyous as the December festivities. 20 Holiday Budgeting for a Stress-Free New Year
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Lighting Your Home in Winter
A s the days grow falls earlier, you may find yourself in need of new lighting options to brighten your living space. After all, shorter and darkness most of us spend more time indoors when the temperatures fall. Check out these design ideas to create that feeling of warmth and comfort even on darker days.
Start By Adding Inviting Exterior Lighting Heighten your home’s curb appeal by making sure it is well-lit and welcoming. At the end of a long day, you will appreciate exterior lighting that invites you to make your way into your warm abode where you can relax and recharge after the demands of the day. Don’t forget the stairs and pathways! Flood lamps and path lights are indispensable for making sure you, your family, and your guests make it inside safely, particularly in inclement weather. Pathway lights are available in a variety of styles and finishes so you can choose a design in keeping with your personal aesthetic.
Smart Lighting
Consider using LED smart bulbs throughout your home. You can avoid high electric bills and coming home to a dark house thanks to Internet of Things technology. You can set certain lights to come on at the touch of an app on your Smartphone or by pairing your smart lights with voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
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Interior Lighting: The Importance of Natural Light No matter the season, how you choose to light a room should always be driven by the amount of natural light that is available. On gray winter days, you may find you need to rely on additional light sources. Next, consider the function of the room. A single light source such as a well-placed lamp may be all that’s needed in rooms such as a den or family room that’s primarily used to relax and enjoy time together as a family. Other rooms, such as the kitchen, where tasks are routinely performed, will require more abundant lighting options to ensure you can see properly to complete chores safely and without causing eye strain. Consider adding strip LED lighting under cabinets to increase lighting in areas used for food prep or clean-up to create an efficient kitchen environment. Change Up Your Light Bulbs and Shades for Winter Light bulbs vary in strength and hue, from high temperature and bright light with a blue cast to lower wattage bulbs with a warmer tone. Higher wattage bulbs are excellent for tasks such as reading, writing and household chores, while lower wattage bulbs emit warmer light and are a good choice for setting the mood for cozy relaxation. Don’t stop at changing your bulbs! Seize the opportunity the change in season brings to change up your lampshades as well. Resist the urge to choose dark shades for winter and consider light neutrals in warm tones such as parchment or alabaster that will allow more light to filter through.
Have a Room That’s Perpetually Dark? Do you have a room in your home that is dark even during the brightest part of the day? If so, you’re not alone. Homeowners frequently encounter this problem when their home is located on a heavily wooded lot or if the room has few windows. If you aren’t looking to do major renovations, consider trying one or more of the tips below to brighten up a low-lit room: z Employ a layered lighting strategy. First, install a ceiling light or a fan with a light fixture. Then, add additional sources of light such as floor lamps and wall sconces. Choose sleek fixtures that will imbue the space with a light and airy feel. z Paint the ceiling a crisp, bright shade of white. Doing so will brighten the room while also making it seem larger and more open.
Use mirrors to reflect the natural light. Strategically hanging mirrors opposite windows to reflect the incoming natural light is a great way to brighten any room.
z
z Paint the walls in a shade that reflects the natural light. Go for lighter colors such as a cool white or pastel shades like mint green, butter yellow or lavender for a softer look.
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Lighting Your Home Office If your home office has little access to natural light, consider using a variety of overhead light sources, including recessed lighting or flush mounts. These types of lighting are less apt to produce glare, which means you are at lesser risk of developing eye strain. Avoid harsh fluorescent lighting and lighting placed directly overhead in favor of track lighting placed parallel to your workspace. Scientific studies have revealed that the blue- green light that fluorescent lighting emits can negatively impact humans’ health both physically and mentally, sapping energy levels, disrupting our natural body clocks, and interfering with our sleep and mood. Avoid these risks by opting for softer lighting that lends itself to a healthy work environment.
Lighting Solutions for Looking Your Best When Video Conferencing Virtual meetings via video conferencing have become a crucial part of working remotely from home. To assure the best video quality, you will want to avoid sitting in shadow or under harsh overhead lighting, as either will lead to poor visual quality that others on the call may find distracting. Consider purchasing a tiltable or dimmable desk lamp with a shade and placing it on one side of your desk. These lamps offer flexibility so you can change the bulb’s temperature and color depending on the type of work you are doing. They also give you access to soft, diffused lighting that lends itself to high-quality video. By being open to embracing a variety of lighting solutions that can be used for everything from general use to task-oriented and accent lighting, you can create a home that is both functional and inviting.
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Winery, Distillery, or Brewery Tour Depending on your location, you may have a winery within driving distance, or your area may be known for a niche distillery or locally inspired breweries. An afternoon of tasting flights offers scenic views and usually a bit of an education about the science behind the taste. Offer to be the designated driver or hire a ride. Visit a few wineries clustered near each other or dig deeper by choosing a winery that offers tours of the facility to gather and a better understanding of the process. Also find out if they offer food, or plan to bring a picnic lunch. If wine, beer, or spirits aren’t favored beverages, seek out cider houses, coffee roasteries, or even a tea room instead. Hot Air Balloon Rides In most areas, hot air balloons run seasonally since it’s a fair weather activity. Buy gift certificates and book online, then your recipient can choose a date to redeem the gift. Often you’ll have the option to provide add-ons, such as a meal or a night’s lodging if the location is farther away. Sand Dune Rides For a bit of adrenaline, plan a trip to the dunes. Rent a dune buggy or quad and tear it up. You can rent rides for an hour or a day, or you can hire a driver to guide the adventure. White Water Rafting You probably know someone daring who would love the gift of a white water adventure. From floats that take just a few hours to multi-day itineraries that include meals and camping along the river, white water rafting offers a connection with nature served with a healthy side of excitement and wonder. Tour Your Home City Look into city tour options in your town or one nearby. Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and let someone show you the city from a different perspective. Of course, tours don’t always take place on a bus. Look for boats, walking tours, or even carriage or bicycle options to best fit the interests of your beneficiary.
W e use gifts to express connection to the people in our lives: From kids to parents, inlaws, siblings, friends, and coworkers, deciding on the perfect gift for each person, then shopping, and then wrapping absorb a chunk of time during an already busy season. In the end, we probably remember just a handful of gifts that made a meaningful impact and continue to stay in our memory. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by holiday tasks or just want to set new intentions with your gift giving this year, consider choosing to give the gift of experiences. So what kind of experiences can you give? Any kind, really. The key is to think about your recipient and what kind of feelings and memories you hope to create for them. Here are some suggestions to get the ideas flowing. Performance Tickets Look ahead to upcoming shows at the theater or concerts in your area. Even if the event is several months away, it’ll be something to look forward to— the anticipation can be part of the fun. Plus, you’ll be able to put a hard date on the calendar rather than continuously planning to get together at some point. You can go small or go big here—from community theater to Broadway shows, from a small performance Giving the Gift of Experiences
to a rock concert. Prepaid Golf
Give the golfer on your list a new experience with a prepaid round on a course they've never tried. If you have an indoor driving range in the area, your golf- appreciating friend might enjoy an evening teeing up indoors where they can enjoy cocktails and snacks, too.
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Public Gardens Whether it’s the Japanese gardens with tea service, botanical gardens featuring local flora and fauna, or local estate or farm gardens, spending the day visiting a garden offers a way to connect with culture and the natural world. Zoos and Refuges A trip to the zoo is a great shared experience. Although popular during fair weather months, zoos are typically open year round and offer a variety of seasonal events to keep the public’s interest. So don’t write off a visit in the winter when the lights are on display! Similarly, if you have a wildlife sanctuary in your area, it makes for a memorable outing and a great gift for those who are passionate about animals and their wellbeing. From elk to wolves to crocodiles and turtles, there are countless ways refuges provide to interact with wildlife and help with conservation efforts. Pampering Gifts If you’re looking for a way to help a friend or family member relax, look into a spa certificate or a more targeted gift of massage, nail treatment, hair styling, or mud bath. Your gift will support the service industry and elicit a smile from your friend, too. Museum Memberships From galleries full of art to historical displays and traveling exhibitions, museums are a great way to expand our understanding of and connection to the world around us. A museum membership might be the perfect gift for the history buff, star seeker, art enthusiast, science geek, or entertainment lover. A year’s membership to your local art or science museum typically comes with its own perks, such as member newsletters, events, lectures, and other programming that allow your gift recipient to meet and mingle with others who share similar interests. Classes From wreath-making to cooking to scuba diving, with a little research you’ll find that classes are available for every interest and specialty. Encourage some new hobbies with the gift of learning.
Top Tips for Giving Gifts of Experience When you give an experience, bear in mind that it might take a while for the recipient to book and schedule their activity, but when they do you’ll be rewarded by hearing all about it or even being there to share in the memories (and the photographs). If you love giving a tangible gift and watching the recipient open it, you can still do this with experiences. Think about a small token or symbolic item that might symbolize the larger gift, or print out information about the experience and add it to a holiday card. tokens like luggage tags, passport wallets, travel guidebooks, or airplane pillows as gifts to signify the upcoming vacation. Living on the Edge If you have an adrenaline junkie on your list, look to experiences that involve helicopters, small planes, a closed racetrack with supercars, go-kart racing, bungee jumping, skydiving, or other activities that might be outside your comfort zone and fit well in theirs. Depending on where you live, there may be a local option like jet boats, parasailing, or sand surfing. Grab tickets to an escape room, head to the firing range, try out ax throwing, or hit a suspended obstacle course. Look into community listings for a three-hour class on basket weaving at your local arts collective or pay for a weekend workshop on native plants at the botanical gardens. Your neighborhood parks & recreation department or regional state park might offer courses where you can learn camping, kayaking, wilderness survival, fly fishing, or even mushroom foraging. Art schools, community colleges, and makerspaces offer lessons in ceramics, jewelry making, chocolate making, computer coding, painting, gardening, creative writing, foreign languages, or nearly any other field of interest. Trips Whether a short getaway or a full-fledged vacation, the gift of travel will always be rewarding for both giver and recipient. Book a weekend at the coast, nearby winery, or bed & breakfast, or visit a mountain cabin, historical site, or music festival. For a family or group trip, you might give your recipients small, useful
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In Your Kitchen
The Ancient Art of Fermentation
Introduction to Homemade Sourdough, Kombucha & Beer
D iscovered by ancient cultures as a method by which to preserve food and drink, fermentation has recently had an artisanal resurgence on the food scene, with chefs, bakers, and brewers rediscovering and honing this process in many of our favorite foods, from small-batch pickles to craft beer and more. Fermentation is the metabolic process that occurs when organic matter is converted into energy by enzymes. In the case of food or drink, this process essentially breaks down food substrates into easier-to-digest, healthier forms.
You can make a wide variety of your own fermented products from home—and fairly easily, too, if you learn the fundamentals and give them the time and attention they deserve. Successful fermentation takes some patience and attention to detail, but many home cooks love discovering the science behind the recipes and the sharing of ideas among friends and community. Because so many fermented foods begin with “starters” that have been shared by others, you may even find that venturing into making your own fermented foods has an effervescent way of “bubbling up” into conversations with new friends and building local connections with community members.
Some of the more common fermented products to make from scratch at home are bread, kombucha, beer, cheese, yogurt, and wine. This article will focus on the first three, serving as an introduction to the basics involved for each product’s fermentation process. Read on to decide which, if any, you’d like to experiment with at home and check out the recipes following this article for inspiration on how to serve your homemade fermented food or drink. Of course, you can also jump right into the recipes; just pick up some kombucha from your local market or stop by your local brewery for a growler of your favorite brew.
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Make Your Own Sourdough
The risen dough could be saved and split to share with other bakers in the community; over time, it became the “sourdough starter.” The starter culture adds flavor to the existing dough and has natural bacteria (the good kind!) to help it keep for longer—about five days covered on the counter. Sourdough helps bread hold its shape and it is also easier to digest than traditional bread because the process breaks down some of the gluten in the dough—plus it’s fun to make and experiment with! Today, a sourdough starter is a combination of a flour, water, yeast, and bacteria. Starters need to be happy and healthy to stay alive; for that to happen, they need to be “fed.” Sourdough starters are kept active by feeding the culture more flour and water, which feeds the yeast and bacteria, which, in turn, makes the starter slightly more acidic, prevents mold, and adds that unique flavor. Feeding the starter also allows you to use it in other recipes and split it to share with others as a gift. It’s likely that there are people in your life who would appreciate a sourdough starter as a gift. Keep in mind that while the process is fairly straightforward, it does take time and patience, so don’t expect to have a sourdough starter going right away; it may take a bit of time before you are ready to make a fresh loaf of bread.
Y ou’ve likely heard about sourdough bread, but you might not know much about the process behind making it. Usually you’ll hear the term “starter” in a conversation about sourdough, and many people are curious about what that means and how it works. Here’s your basic introduction to sourdough and starters. Sourdough is one of the oldest forms of grain fermentation. The origin of sourdough starters is not entirely clear; however, many experts believe it originated in ancient Egypt around 1500 BCE, and like many fermentation processes, was probably discovered as a kind of happy accident: When flour mixed with water was left “too long” before baking, people noticed how it began to expand and rise; then, when baked, this dough was lighter, softer, and easier to digest. So people began using sourdough to make a dough that would rise over time. They learned that a bit of the risen-but-not-yet-baked dough from the previous batch could be mixed with the next batch, allowing it to rise more quickly.
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Making your sourdough starter: 1. First, make sure you gather the essentials: a large (at least one quart) non-metal container and a non-metal mixing spoon (metal will alter the flavor of the sourdough); flour (wheat, rye, and spelt are best); water; dry yeast; and a large dish cloth, kitchen towel, or other cover.
2. Mix two cups of your flour of choice with two cups of non-
chlorinated water in the container until you have a smooth paste; add one pack of dry yeast. Note: You might want to experiment later with the flour-to-water ratio, as some people prefer equal volumes of flour and water to make it easier to pour, while others prefer a denser bread using equal weights of flour and water.
3. Loosely cover the container with your cloth; this deters
contaminants. Ensure it’s not airtight, allowing carbon dioxide to escape as the yeast does its job. Leave the covered container in a warm, draft-free area—preferably in the kitchen, but not under direct sunlight.
4. Stir the mixture daily.
5. Freshen the mixture with equal volumes of flour and water once you’ve noticed the sour aroma.
These steps are all you need to create your very own starter, but it takes about a week, so be patient, and don’t rush to bake. Once you have a starter, keep it happy by feeding it (freshening it with flour and water every few days), mixing it daily, and keeping it covered and warm. Feeding it weekly makes sense if you plan to bake bread weekly. Do this by using about half of the starter to bake, and then feeding the other half to save for the next time. Starters also keep quite well in the fridge (one to two weeks) and even the freezer for a few days. Something to note is that it’s possible to overfeed your starter, which can kill it. A good rule of thumb is to feed it only when it’s at its maximum height and full of bubbles; otherwise, you’ll thin out the microorganism population.
Now that you’ve got a starter, you can use it to make your own sourdough bread. If you’re new to baking bread, we recommend the no-knead method, originally pioneered by Jim Lahey, owner of the Sullivan Street Bakery in New York City. This method takes time (at least 24 hours), but includes a simple hack that revolutionized homemade bread: The method uses a dutch oven to create the perfect bread-baking environment within your home oven. Thousands of bakers have tweaked and adapted this method over the last decade; simply search online for “no-knead sourdough” and pick out a recipe that sounds good to you. For holiday gift ideas, you can give someone a freshened sourdough starter (if that person is a DIY-er), or you can use your starter to bake them something delicious.
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Make Your Own Kombucha
M oving on from making your own fermented food, we’ve got fermented beverages, starting with kombucha. Kombucha has been popular for years now, both in stores as well as in the made-from- scratch-at-home department. If you’re not familiar with kombucha, it’s essentially fermented and slightly sweetened tea, a lightly carbonated, cider-like cold drink that often tastes a bit fruity, a bit vinegary, and sometimes slightly alcoholic. It’s nutritious, easy on the digestive system, and known to be good for gut health because of its beneficial, live bacteria, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants.
Safety, cleanliness, and hygiene are essential when making your own kombucha; otherwise, harmful bacteria and mold can set in, ruining the process and forcing you to start over. Always keep hands and surfaces as clean as possible, rinsing with vinegar after. If you notice signs of spoilage—such as fuzzy green, blue, brown, or black mold—discard both the SCOBY that has developed at the top and the kombucha, and thoroughly rewash and dry the vessel before restarting. Here are the basic steps involved in making your own kombucha. Remember, for every single step, wash and rinse your hands. Sanitization is key to your success!
What’s a SCOBY? If you’re familiar with kombucha, you’ve probably heard the term “SCOBY” in relation to DIY kombucha. SCOBY stands for “symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast;” when mature, SCOBY often resembles a flat, jelly-like pancake. To make kombucha, you’ll need a SCOBY, which you can either purchase online or perhaps source from a friend if you know anyone who makes their own kombucha.
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Kombucha at Home: You can use kombucha as more than just a flavorful, healthy drink. First, once you’ve got SCOBYs to spare, it’s time to share. Give friends and family a SCOBY, along with handwritten instructions for them to try making their own kombucha. You can also use SCOBYs to make vegan jerky, candy, or as a substitute for raw fish in sushi. Some use it as a face mask! You can even make crafts with SCOBYs; dried until stiff, yet still flexible, SCOBYs can be used as a leather replacement in craft projects. If you’re entertaining this winter, try out the recipe following this article for a sparkly, festive mocktail. A Kombucha Pomegranate Fizz made with your own homemade kombucha is sure to make an impression as your signature drink!
1. Gather the necessary equipment: z Pot or kettle (for boiling water) z Brewing vessel, safe for fermenting (a large glass jar is the most common) z A finely woven cloth or towel (to cover vessel) z Rubber band (to cover vessel) z Jars or bottles with lids (for finished kombucha) 2. Gather the necessary ingredients (for one gallon of kombucha): z 1 SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast; either from someone’s mature starter or purchased online) z 1-2 cups of kombucha starter liquid (from someone’s previous batch) z 1 cup cane sugar z 1 gallon filtered water z ¼ cup black and/or green tea, or 4-8 tea bags 3. Make a clean, safe space for your kombucha- making environment. 4. Heat the gallon of filtered water. Make tea inside the brewing vessel; steep for 10 minutes. 5. Remove tea leaves or bags and stir in sugar until dissolved; allow freshly sweetened tea to cool to room temperature. 6. Add the SCOBY and starter liquid to the vessel. 7. Cover and seal the vessel (with clean cloth and elastic band) and allow it to ferment at room temperature, anywhere from a week to a month. Record your start date. (The liquid will “acidify” the tea to protect against contamination and ensure a safe pH level; the sugar will feed the bacteria and yeast.) 8. Watch the new SCOBY form on the surface of the liquid. 9. Check the kombucha flavor after about a week. Stop fermenting when you like the flavor. After fermentation, you can add fruit juice or other flavors, such as spices and herbs. 10. Pour the finished kombucha into sterilized and dry bottles. Cap tightly and refrigerate. Keep the SCOBY and a few cups of kombucha in the vessel for your next batch.
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Make Your Own Beer
II. Brewing There are three main components to the actual brewing. Steeping the grains: Fill your brew kettle with 2.5 gallons of water. Heat the water and steep the grains for around 20 minutes or until your water reaches 170 degrees. Safety Note: Sanitization! As you might have noticed, making fermented foods and beverages requires constant cleanliness and regular sanitization. Your success in making anything homemade that requires equipment, whether it’s kombucha or beer, depends on how clean that equipment is. Always wash your hands. And always keep all equipment clean and sterilize regularly throughout the process. I. Preparation Gather together all the equipment: z Beer recipe kit (or ingredients) z 5-gallon brew kettle z Fermenter and air lock z Auto-siphon z Stir spoon z Steri lizer or sanitizer
A nother popular fermented drink is beer, of course. If you’re a beer drinker and purchase it regularly, you might love making your own beer at home. If you’ve got the right equipment, patience, and motivation, making your own home-brewed beer is actually fairly straightforward and simple. There are just five basic steps involved in brewing your own beer: Preparation, Brewing, Fermenting, Bottling, and Storage.
Tip for first-time home-brewers: If this is your first time making beer, consider purchasing a beer-making kit. A beer-making kit can be purchased online, in specialty food or kitchen stores, and sometimes at your local brewery. The kit will have everything you need all together in one package, without having to buy and piece together individual beer-brewing equipment.
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IV. Bottling After the two-week period of fermentation is over, it’s time to bottle the beer. Again, it’s paramount to clean and sanitize everything before bottling. This includes bottles, bottle caps, bottle fillers, bottling buckets, bottle brushes, etc. 1. Boil the priming sugar (from your beer recipe kit) in 16 ounces of water, let it cool, and then add directly to bottling bucket. 2. Siphon the beer out of the fermenter into the bucket using the auto-siphon, leaving in the fermenter as much sediment as you can, meaning you don’t want to take the sediment along with you. 3. Fill the bottles! To fill the bottles with the beer, attach the bottle filler to the hose and the hose the bucket spigot, which you then open and push the filler to the bottom of the bottle. Fill each bottle right to the top, remove the filler, and cap them off with the bottle capper. V. Storage Your beer is not ready to drink just yet! You’ll need to store the capped bottles at room temperature for about two weeks or so. This will give your beer the time it needs to properly carbonate. After that, you’ll have your own beer to drink as well as tasty gifts to give away during the holidays. You can even host a party for your guests to try your home-brewed concoction. Interested in learning more about fermentation? Check out The Art of Fermentation (Chelsea Green, 2012) by New York Times bestselling author and self-proclaimed fermentation revivalist Sandor Ellix Katz. From chocolate to sauerkraut, Katz’s definitive guide to DIY fermentation breaks down the processes and offers scores of recipes to try at home.
Boiling the kettle : Allow the kettle to come to a rolling boil, after which you should remove it from the heat and then add the malt extracts until dissolved, then return to a boil. Now it’s time to add the hops to your kettle, at various intervals, depending on the specific recipe you’re using (please check yours and follow the instructions exactly). Working with your wort: Wort is sugar water, which is what you’ve now created up until this point. Cool your wort quickly. This can be done with a wort chiller, which you can buy on its own or as part of a brewing kit, or simply create an ice bath by putting your kettle into a sink filled with ice water. III. Fermenting Just as a reminder, sanitize everything as you go along, especially now. Here’s what you need to do to ferment your beer: 1. Pour the cooled wort into the fermenter, then add water to bring the level to five gallons. 2. Aerate the wort by splashing it around in the container, which also helps the yeast get the oxygen it needs for fermentation. 3. Add dry yeast into the fermenter. 4. Seal the fermenter with the air lock. 5. Store in a cool, dark place (68 degrees is ideal for ales). Keep the beer stored and fermenting for about two weeks.
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Buttery Beer Bread This delicious beer bread is a favorite quick-dough recipe at Home Sweet Home and the perfect way to feature your home-brewed beer (or favorite local brew). Ingredients z 6 tablespoons melted butter (divide into 3 portions of about 2 tablespoons each) z 3 cups flour z 1/3 cup white sugar z 1 tablespoon baking powder z 1 ½ teaspoons salt z 2 ounces of b eer at room temperature Steps 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 × 5 loaf pan with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 3. Add beer and stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are just combined. 4. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. 5. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of butter over the top of the bread. 6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 7. Brush the top of the bread with the remaining melted butter while the loaf is still warm. 8. Serve warm with soup, salad, or a glass of your home-brewed beer. Enjoy! Recipes from Our Home to Yours
Kombucha Pomegranate Fizz Pomegranates are a favorite winter fruit, but if you can’t find them at your local market this winter, cranberries work just as well in this fizzy mocktail (or cocktail). Try this fun, festive drink to add some sparkle to your next party or a cozy night in! Ingredients z 2 bottles (16 oz.) of cranberry- or pomegranate- flavored kombucha z 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (or fresh cranberries) z Fresh rosemary or mint leaves z 1/3 cup 100% pomegranate juice, chilled (or substitute more cranberry if you can’t find pomegranate) z 1/3 cup 100% cra nberry juice, chilled Steps 1. Divide the fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds (or fresh cranberries) between 4 glasses and muddle using a wooden spoon or mortar and pestle. 2. Add cranberry- or pomegranate-flavored kombucha, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice to a large pitcher and stir to mix well. 3. Fill each glass with crushed ice and pour the juice and kombucha mixture into each glass. 4. (This step is optional) If you’d like to turn your mocktail into a cocktail, you can add a splash of vodka (about 1 ounce). 5. Garnish glasses with a sprig of rosemary or mint, a lime, or fresh cranberries.
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Prevent the 7 Most Common Causes of House Fires Learn some of the most common causes of house fires and steps you can take to protect your family and home. 1. Appliances and Electrical Equipment Any machine that generates heat or tends to get hot after long periods of use can pose a potential fire hazard. In this age of technology, we are constantly using computers and other electronics, increasing the risk of fire. Be sure to keep the area surrounding heaters and large appliances free from debris or clutter. Washing machines and clothes dryers are responsible for 15,970 residential fires each year. Regularly clean out the lint trap in your clothes dryer and check that it is properly venting to the outside. Home Fire Prevention Checklist
A s winter cold sets in for many of us, we tend to spend more time indoors and rely on heaters to keep our homes warm. According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), the frequency of heating fires increases from 17% to 27% in winter. On average, heaters cause 52,050 household fires per year. Even if you aren’t in a cold climate, these fire prevention tips are best practices for keeping our homes and families safe. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reveal that 490,500 residential fires were reported in the United States in 2020. These fires were responsible for the loss of 2,730 lives, resulted in injuries to 13,000 homeowners and caused $12.1 billion in property damage.
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2. Flammable Chemicals A fire can easily occur when devices that rely on natural or propane gas are in use in the home. Check these items on a regular basis to ensure they are in good working order and there is no sign of fuel leaking. It only takes one wayward spark making contact with fuel to put you and your loved ones at risk of fire caused by combustion. Flammable chemicals are responsible for a whopping 12,000 residential fires each year. Be safe and keep kerosene and gas in appropriate containers that are tightly sealed and clearly marked. Propane cylinders should be stored outside, in the shade and out of direct sunlight. Keep away from any source of flame including cigarettes. 3. Candles Many of us love the amb ience created by candles, particularly in winter when we might feature them as holiday decorations or to create a warm, cozy atmosphere within the home. Sadly, 8,200 household fires are caused each year by burning candles. A little common sense can prevent a tragedy; all candles come with three mandatory safety warnings: z Burn within sight. z Keep away from flammables. z Keep away f rom children and pets. If you have lit candles burning and begin to feel sleepy, blow them out at once. Be particularly vigilant on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day as these are the three days of the year when candle fires most often occur. 4. Tree Lights and Other Holiday Decorations Christmas tree lights, Hanukkah lights, and other light-up decorations can easily pose a fire hazard especially when placed on or near live trees or holiday plants that are not watered regularly. This leads to dry trees that are susceptible to burning under the heat of hot lights. 160 residential fires occur each year due to Christmas tree incineration.
If you decorate a live tree or plant with lights, stay on top of watering the plant regularly so that it doesn’t dry out. Consider purchasing an artificial tree, and whenever you are using electric decorations, check all wiring for any wear or tear and promptly replace as needed. 5. Smoking One of the most frequent and preventable causes of fire in the home is falling asleep while smoking. Smokers often drift off to sleep while in bed or sitting on couches and chairs that easily catch fire, often leading to fatalities. Never smoke in bed or light a cigarette or cigar when you are tired and prone to falling asleep. Better yet, kick this unhealthy habit or limit it to outdoors and remove the risk of smoking- related fires within the home altogether. Each year, 18,100 fires are attributed to negligent smoking. 6. Children Children are naturally curious, and fire is a common source of fascination for children of various ages. Educate your children early and often on the danger of playing with matches and lighters, emphasizing how quickly a dangerous fire can spread with serious, even fatal consequences. 7. Indoor Fireplaces Stray embers from indoor fireplaces can land on a carpet or rug and start a fire very quickly. Never leave a fireplace unattended and always use a fireplace screen to keep flying embers from escaping.
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HOME SWEET HOME Magazine
How to Create a Family Fire Escape Plan
z Include all members of your household in the development of your family fire escape plan. Go through the house together, taking note of every exit and all possible escape routes. z Make sure each family member knows the safest escape route and that this area always remains clutter-free for quick and easy passage. z Do a home fire drill twice a year and take it seriously. As family members make their exit, remind them to stay low to the ground as they would in the case of a real fire, since heat rises. z Impress upon family members the need to close doors behind them as they leave the home. Doing so can slow the spread of fire and keep smoke and heat contained, providing valuable time for you to make a safe escape. z Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on each level of your home. Fire alarms make a chirping noise to alert you when the batteries are getting low. Be sure to change the batteries immediately when you receive this warning. z Choose a designated place for everyone to meet once they are outside the home. Any memorable place that is in front of your home at a safe distance away will do. Examples may include a streetlight, street sign, or a neighbor’s home. z Have all family members memorize the emergency number for your local fire department. Those old enough to have cell phones should have the number saved in their contacts.
Have someone call the fire department once you are safely clear of the house in your designated meeting place. z Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street. If the numbers are faded or worn, replace them. If your house number can’t be seen from the street, make sure the numbers on your mailbox are clear and easily identifiable. You may also consider painting your house number on the curb outside your home. z If your household consists of infants or family members with a disability or mobility issues, designate another family member to assist them in making their way out. Have the designated helper assist their assigned family member during drills so if a real fire should occur, they will automatically go to that person’s aid. z Entertaining overnight guests? Share your family’s fire escape plan with your guests, and when you and your family stay overnight in others’ homes, ask for the details of their escape plan. z Remember, once you have made your way safely out of a burning building, do not return for any reason! If anyone is unaccounted for, let the fire department dispatcher know as soon as you make the call. Firefighters have the training and equipment to successfully rescue people in danger. By remaining vigilant and putting these common- sense safety precautions into place, you can keep your family warm and safe this winter.
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December 2022
Make a List Well, actually, make a few lists. This is where any good budget starts. You have to know what you plan to spend money on before you can budget around it. The first list will include all the ways your budget will be stretched this season. Include travel costs, whether that’s hotels, car rentals, airfare, gas, or other expenses. Also factor in the additional grocery budget. If you’re attending someone else’s function, that might mean bringing a bottle of wine. If you’re hosting, it means budgeting for prime rib, a large turkey, or any other favorite holiday dish. Also plan for any last-minute home improvements, extra beds, or rentals for chairs or dishes to accommodate guests in your home, if applicable. In other words, if you’re putting money toward housing guests in the short or long term, write it down. That might mean hiring a house cleaner, having someone wash the windows or hang lights, or incurring costs associated with extra food and utilities.
Holiday Budgeting
for a Stress-Free New Year I t’s that time of year again. The calendar is packed with holiday parties, celebratory feasts, shopping, and travel. It’s a fun time of year to make memories with the ones you love. Nonetheless, the season will be over before you know it, and it’s easy for spending to get a bit out of hand during the flurry of activity. Whether you’re watching every dollar or you just hope to avoid a balance on the January credit card bill, making a budget—and sticking to it—can make the holiday aftermath as joyous as the December festivities. We’ve got some pointers for fully enjoying the season without waking up to a New Year’s spending hangover.
This list will also include the cost of seasonal decorations, new lights, the purchase of serving platters, and gift wrapping supplies such as bags, paper, tape, and bows. Of course, you’ll want to jot down gifts as a line item, too. Also include any entertainment activities for the month, from going to dinner with friends to taking the kids for mini golf. Holiday movie rentals or a trip to the theater, paying for a light show at the zoo or local garden, and hitting the ice skating rink are all part of the budget as well.
Spoiler alert: It’s not really about the money.
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HOME SWEET HOME Magazine
Break it Down Further Once you have your general list of expense categories, break each list into pieces. Supply a line for each individual expense. Yes, it can be time consuming, but with a detailed and accurate list, you’re less likely to overspend or lose track of where the money is going, so some time spent in planning your intentions will save money. For travel costs, run the numbers. If you’ve already paid for tickets, they aren’t included in the budget. However, if you paid for them on the credit card, they aren’t really paid for yet. Rental Car Tips: Rent a car as early as possible, then watch the prices. Using the internet, it’s easy to find rates and make a reservation without a credit card. The earlier you reserve the car, the better the Moving on to the home upgrade budget, you may only have one or two items. On the other hand, if you’re in the middle of remodeling the downstairs, you may have a laundry list of materials to account for before your company arrives. Remember it’s your standards here. Nobody says the space has to be perfect, especially if it tanks the budget to make it happen. Make the space welcoming and thoughtful with small gestures like a welcome note on the guest bed or a vase with fresh winter herbs in the bathroom. Your guests will forgive (and may not even notice) any so-called imperfections. Since food and gifts seem to eat up the majority of most people’s unexpected budget items, we’ll outline some pointers to stay within budget here, too. chances of finding a good rate. You can use an aggregated site to see pricing from a variety of vendors, and then go to the individual rental company to confirm that you’ve found the best deal. You can actually reserve several cars at the same time since there’s no penalty for canceling. Take advantage of this by checking rates frequently; they can change daily. If you find a lower rate, reserve it and then cancel your other reservation. You can save a substantial amount using this technique (as long as you remember to cancel any unnecessary reservations!).
The Food Budget Inflation is here, and it’s no more evident than at the grocery store. Think outside the box to stay within budget for the holiday meal. Popular foods will often be on sale as the holiday approaches so be sure to look up the store ad and keep an eye on the deals. There may be a free turkey with a $100 purchase or a $5 off $25 purchase coupon, for example. Similarly, boxes of stuffing, cranberries, gravy mix, rolls, matzah, and other staples will be on sale, too. The best way to save money on the grocery list, however, is to make your own food from scratch. It takes longer, but it will be healthier, less expensive, and better tasting. Plus, it’s a great way to bring the family together in the kitchen. Don’t try to do it alone. Maybe baking bread comes naturally to you, but you prefer not to bake pies. Ask someone else to bring them instead. Making the event a potluck significantly lowers the cost of the meal and introduces a variety of food options to the table. If you enjoy tackling the entire meal yourself as a gift to your loved ones, go for it. But if you feel obligated, shift the tide. Make it more fun with more hands in the kitchen, and open yourself up to new experiences that may vary a bit from your idea of traditional foods. Be Intentional When It Comes to Gift Giving Gift giving has become an expected part of holiday celebrations. While you may hold steady in buying your mom a gift each year, there’s no real guideline here. Many of us find ourselves wondering about whether to get a gift for the housekeeper or your cousin that will be visiting but you haven’t seen in years. What about co-workers or friends?
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December 2022
Creating the budget is only half the battle. Sticking to it is where the real wins come in. Look for opportunities to: 1. Start Early Hopefully you created your budget early in the year. If not, vow to do better next year. The best way to save money on gifts you plan to purchase is to start early. Buy in the off season, gather gifts as you travel throughout the year, and keep an eye out for discounts during sales events. 2. Make It Yourself There’s nothing more meaningful than a handmade gift. For the neighbors, bake your family’s favorite cookies or whip up some holiday candy. For co- workers, infuse oils and vinegars. Make your own peach brandy with inexpensive vodka and peaches. Dabble in limoncello or homemade Kahlua. If you’re a woodworker, put those skills to work constructing a remote control holder, phone rest, table, charcuterie board, or wine rack. This issue of Home Sweet Home includes an introduction to sourdough, kombucha, and beer, any of which would make great gifts for the season. Maybe you’re better at printing tees, making candles, creating quilts, knitting washcloths, or building terrarium environments. Whether it’s stenciled glass, a heating pad, or a homemade knife, your handcrafted gift will be appreciated and often cost you less. Remember Your Reason for the Season Sometimes it’s easy to fall into the consumerism and commercialism of the holidays. When the high- speed train of the season starts to overwhelm you, remember that at their core, regardless of your belief system, winter holidays are about joy and togetherness. If you’re feeling compelled to stretch the budget, remind yourself you don’t have to do it all. Prioritize, be present for the important stuff, and stick to that budget. The combination will guide you to more relaxing holidays and eliminate the post-holiday overspending remorse.
The list could go on forever, but the essential element here is your own comfort. Your child’s teacher isn’t expecting anything, so if you don’t feel you can swing it, let it go. Or get together with other parents in the classroom and pool your resources for a gift certificate or gift basket. Your gift list should only include those people you want to give a gift to. Period. Now obviously there might be a bit of obligation here, but don’t let it go too far. Have some conversations up front. If you have six siblings and you used to buy for each one, they may also be ready to let that tradition go. Suggest a family dinner instead. Or start a new tradition with a name draw and gift exchange. Better yet, commit to only buying for your siblings’ kids and not exchanging gifts between the adults. The same goes for in-laws, friends, co-workers, etc. If you have a tight friend group and an even tighter budget, suggest you skip the gift exchange between you and plan an activity together instead. See this issue’s article on giving the gift of experiences for more creative ideas. With the conversations behind you and a plan, your gift-giving list should be complete and set in stone. If you find yourself in the situation of someone giving you a gift and you don’t have one in return, simply thank them sincerely. There’s no need to explain further or run out and purchase something. Assign Dollar Amounts Next, go through each list and fill in those dollar amounts. Make sure the intended amounts are in alignment with what you can actually afford. That might mean $10 gifts, $50 gifts, or $100 gifts. It’s up to you to decide. It might also mean crossing more people off the list, making more homemade gifts or smaller gestures like holiday cards. Prioritize and be honest with yourself. It’s the only way a budget truly works.
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HOME SWEET HOME Magazine
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