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When the lockdown started, in March, it took Dean a couple of weeks to get used to his new schedule. Not being able to teach, go to the gym, or even hangout with his friends at the coffee bus, he decided to venture into a new area.

Since masks were hard to find he went online and started watching sewing videos. He then headed to the local sewing store where he bought a machine, some fabric, thread, and everything else he needed to make his first mask. He began with a simple pleated mask, but soon decided to take the design further. You see, Dean is really great at mathematics, engineering, and design and is always wanting to improve things. He went through various design changes to make the masks more comfortable, easier to breathe and talk in, and created templates for custom sizes.

Then after using the masks for a bit he decided something in the design was missing. He would get in the car, remove his mask, and then forget to put it back on at the next stop. He got tired of going back to retrieve it, and that led to his detachable lanyard design. They are soft, pliable, and are machine washable like the masks. I really like that the lanyard matches the mask.

The one thing he disliked when making the lanyards was our iron. When he made the lanyard bias tape it was difficult to iron, because the cord kept getting in the way. He got online and soon learned about cordless irons. He decided on this Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Steam/Dry Iron from Amazon, and has been using it since October. He really likes it, and says the only drawback is it doesn’t stay hot for a very long time. It has to be put back in the cradle for a minute to continue. Otherwise, he likes the weight of the iron, ease of use, and overall design.

Dean’s multi-layer masks are great. I find them comfortable to wear, breathe in, and I can talk in them with ease. I’m really proud of him, and that he has given away countless masks and lanyards to local charities, family, friends, and acquaintances.

Dean’s Amazon find score: 4/5

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Real Estate, Style

What Paint Is Right For You?

January 2, 2021January 1, 2021 Lora Knows...

Choosing the right paint color isn’t the only consideration when doing your latest paint project. You also need to think about the type of paint, as well as what finish is right for your room.

I am a big fan of paint samples. No matter if I use Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Home Depot, or Lowes they all offer test pots of paint in all varieties of finishes. I think the most I have paid for a test pot is around $7 US. This is a small investment to make sure I don’t make a more costly mistake.

I used to apply a couple of coats of the test paint directly to the wall, but learned that putting it on a poster board makes it easier to see how it will dry, look, and I can move it around the room to see how it looks throughout the day and evening.

The two types of paint are water based and oil based. I don’t mess with oil based paint because of the smell, clean up, drying time, and the overall application is much more difficult. If I were to hire a paint crew I might be tempted to have them use an oil based paint in the laundry room or bathroom, simply because it is a great for humidity and moisture.

Now the color is chosen, the type is picked, so what finish is best? Matte, Eggshell, Satin, or Semi-Gloss. Just as I am a fan of water based paints, I love a matte finish.

Matte: It is easy on the eye with the smooth appearance. I believe it allows for better saturation of natural light during the day, and is relaxing at night. It can be more difficult to clean, so having paint in a touch up bottle is necessary.

Eggshell: Has a bit of sheen that makes it more reflective. It is easy to clean, this makes it great for high traffic areas. Satin & Eggshell are relatively close, with Satin being a touch shinier. My office is a smaller space and I used an Eggshell finish because it lacks natural light, and needed something a bit extra to bring the space to life.

Semi-Gloss: This type is what I like to use on finishes. The issue with Semi-Gloss is it is highly reflective, so using it in a large space can be overwhelming. This is why I like to use it for doors, baseboards, window trim, and other types of trim.

Paint color, type, and finish are personal choices. Choose what is aesthetically pleasing to your eye and makes you love how the room looks and feels. You can also mix the finishes with an accent wall, stripe, or other decorative way. Explore your options and most of all have fun, because it’s just paint.

Cooking

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

December 28, 2020December 27, 2020 Lora Knows...

I finally made Dean a batch of creamy peanut butter fudge. This recipe is super peanut buttery, and is incredibly tasty. I like chocolate fudge to be firmer, but for peanut butter fudge I like it softer and creamier. This recipe is always a crowd pleaser.

1 1⁄2 Cups granulated sugar
3⁄4 Cup unsalted butter (do not substitute)
5 Ounce can Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 1⁄2 Cups creamy peanut butter
2 Cups miniature marshmallows
1⁄4 Teaspoon Kosher salt
1 Teaspoon good vanilla extract

Using nonstick spray prepare an 8″ or 9″ pan and set aside. Parchment can also be used if you prefer.

Using a saucepan set to medium high heat add the butter, sugar, evaporated milk, and salt. Stir to mix and bring to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium low. Allow the mixture to continue to boil while constantly stirring for 5 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the stove and add the vanilla, marshmallows, and peanut butter. Stir until completely melted and blended together into a smooth yummy peanut butter sauce.

Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and place in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours. Using a knife move around the edge of the pan and flip over onto a board to release the fudge from the pan. Cut into desired size pieces. It is best to wipe the blade between slices so it results in cleaner cuts. Refrigerate and enjoy!