Homemade Coffee Filters & Simple Vanilla Syrup

For a season I worked as a Barista in a small coffee shop out west, I really really enjoyed that job. There is actually a lot to learn about coffee and the proper brewing thereof. I remember having to watch a video called Coffee 101, which was very similar to this style. In addition to having multiple hours of hands on training before I was allowed to fly solo. I am thankful for the instruction, even now, because you do not want to be the girl to mess up a Monday morning coffee fix.

Now my coffee making endeavors are in the service of family, friends & hospitality and vary slightly in preparation. Recently I made up some reusable coffee filters for my coffee cone from some muslin - by simply tracing my last paper filter on the fold, and stitching along the sides. I then made a small loop hanger on one end, which allows for the filter to hang dry after rinsing. I also blanket stitched along the top of the filters to give a more finished look, which was done before the actual side stitching and the hoop addition.

I also like to use a cold brew coffee sock, like the one shown here. This was a gift from a friend, whom shared her pattern with me. This coffee sock fits a gallon or half gallon jar just perfectly. The sock measurements are approximate as shown in the photo - and the stitching is beautifully simple.

How I Make Cold Brew Coffee: you will need to play with the recipe to find your desired strength

~ Place about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of coarsely ground beans into your coffee sock, place the sock in the neck of your jar. Fill the half gallon jar with water, allowing the water to flow through the coffee sock. Draw up the strings to seal the sock and place the lid on the jar, with the sock string hanging out. Let rest for twelve to eighteen hours and remove the sock. Store cold brew in the fridge. Recycle the coffee grounds to the garden or compost. Rinse the coffee sock and hang dry.

Summer days I drink my coffee two ways - in the morning it's hot and bullet proof in composition. In the afternoon, if I desire a cold frappe or iced coffee I reach for my cold brew and touch it up with a little simple vanilla syrup. 

 

 

 

Simple Vanilla Syrup

½ cup coconut sugar

½ cup water

1 T vanilla extract

*Bring the water and sugar to a boil, simmer over low heat until thicker. Remove from heat and add your vanilla extract. Stir. Let cool and store in a glass jar in your frid - use as needed.

How to Make a Wall Mount Cast Iron Hanging Rack

I know I am not the only one who loves to spend time on Pinterest, so many ideas and inspiring how to's one could easily get carried away. But with a little discipline and budget wisdom, along with a strong do it yourself attitude... oh the possibilities!

I also know, I am not the only who appreciates good ol' cast iron. Though loving it as I do, I will confess it takes up a lot of space in my kitchen cupboards... and this is where Pinterest came in. It didn't take me long to find my inspiration. However, the link with the picture on Pinterest, did not lead me to the actual instructions for the hanging rack that inspired me. So - I did my best to recreate something similar, based on my preferences and a picture.

I decided to use 1 x 2's to form a base on my wall, the long sides are five feet in length, and the short top and bottoms are twenty inches. Each length side is screwed directly into the wall studs. Now before I go any further, I will say two things... one - I am NOT a carpenter, and two - the house is almost one hundred years old. :)

The 1 x 4 's are cut to thirty inches, then screwed into the one by two and wall stud - with two and half inch black screws. My local hardware store was having a special for all Pinterest projects, they were offering free services on things like; cutting the wood and threading my pipe. *Please, stain the wood before mounting to the frame, in a well ventilated area.

The pipe, the most pricey portion of this project, is a half inch in diameter. I used six feet total, being cut into two foot sections and threaded on each end. Add an elbow and floor flange to each end, then tighten everything down securely. Then, I spray painted them with a flat black, suitable for metal, spray paint.

Once they were dry, I mounted them on my wooden back drop - with the distance between them being relative to what I was going to hang. Meaning the bottom rungs are equally spaced, and the top rung intentionally has a smaller hanging space. I did this to help insure that the smaller cast iron was hung near the top and the heaviest pieces at the bottom.

My hooks are from bungee cords. Yes, I could have ordered them from Amazon... but somethings I just prefer to work out locally. After visiting three hardware type stores, it clicked to give these a try. Sure enough, the hooks on a bungee cord fit perfectly on a half inch pipe, thus I spent about three dollars for six hooks.

In hind sight, I think I would like the wooden back drop flush against the wall, and possibly frame it in along the edges. But who's to say that won't come later, as this project has led to many ideas for our kitchen remodel.

Wall Mount Pinterest Idea's {HERE}

A Simple Effective & Natural Wood Sealant

My recent cast iron creative inspired me to use some of my effective and natural wood sealant, which honestly is just another variation of my wood balm recipe. But - it really is - effective and natural - so why not!

With this project I used 3 parts coconut oil and 1 part bee's wax, along with about 5 drops cedar-wood essential oil. Mainly for the aroma - I think, as I tend to have a preference for earthy, woodsy type essential oils in many of my home uses.

After I melted the coconut and bee's wax, I blended them together in a glass jar, then I  added my essential oil drops. Blending again. Then taking a soft, but sturdy cloth - I rubbed generous amounts of my natural sealant into the stained wood.

This really made the wood 'pop' and heighten the look of the flat black pipe, and hanging cast iron. Plus it smelled just - lovely. I love the small batches, not only cutting down on waste but time as well.