Man Made DIY

A wall-mounted magnetic strip is the best way to store and organize kitchen knives, chisels, carving tools, and other sharp objects. It not only protects the sharpness of the tools and maintains their fine edges, but it keeps your hands safe while you're storing the tools, and out of the way when you're not using them.   … read more

It's officially ice cream season, as well as time to switch from the warming, darker spirited drinks to the cool, freshing cocktails of summer. 

Or, if you do it right, both at the same time.  … read more

It's the sort of post that needs no introduction: it's a burger, on a mini bun, with barbeque sauce, and whiskey. And! The pre-pattied meat in the process photo looks like a brain:   … read more

In this era of ever-increasing electronic communication, paper mail and greetings have become ever more important and meaningful, when done well. Especially, if it's a custom card you made yourself.   … read more

Thai cuisine is all about the balance of four essential taste experiences: salty, sweet, sour, and piquancy (spicy heat). (Some would also add bitter to the list). This is well-represented by the most well-known Thai dish in the U.S. - Pad Thai (its name refers to its identity as a national dish of Thailand, with the pad coming from it's being cooked in wok - literally, stir-fried Thai-style).… read more

I grew up thinking I didn't like pancakes. As I grew up and learned to cook for myself, I realized I what I didn't like was Bisquick and fake maple-flavored syrup. Pancakes, on the other hand, (at least the first 75% of eating them)… read more

When fully zipped, this DIY sweatshirt project simply displays a bold, graphic right hand, perhaps a bit influenced by street art. But unzipped halfway, and you're offering a whole 'nother message.   … read more

Perhaps this weekend, you'll find yourself about a campfire: a trip outdoors, a gathering with your friends, an excuse to build a campfire. And perhaps, if you do, you'll want to take advantage of the warm, smokey heat, and whip up what may be one the tastiest, and manliest, meals of all time: campfire brisket, slow, wet, and amazing.   … read more

When you work from home, you look forward to little things that help break the day up: the mailman coming, the tornado siren test on Wednesdays at noon, the kids skipping along the sidewalk walking home when school lets out, and, most importantly, snack time. Often, it's just a handful of nuts, a bit of leftovers, but usually, a simple piece of fruit.

Which, after I saw this video last week, I've been turning into puzzles. Every day.   … read more

I'm sure that most of us, given the ideal opportunity (hassle-free admission, a full scholarship, and a magical year away from other jobs and responsibilities) would happily attend culinary school, and learn the knife skills, cooking techniques, and classical traditions developed over the centuries to turn good ingredients into great meals.

Until that likely opportunity arises, most of us will have to glean the tips from the masters when we can, … read more