When putting our boats, RVs, cars or anything anyway in storage we expect it to be safe. Until the unthinkable happens….mice or chipmunks or some other woodland creatures have decided to make our precious toys their home. What a mess they make and the clean up and the damage repair can be costly. Not a good way to start a season. We have all tried moth balls. Sometimes they work but they have let me down before. Also the smell of moth balls are how you say less than desirable, even the cedar ones.
For the last 5 years I have used essential peppermint oil to keep my boat vermin free when storing it for the winter. Yes that is right peppermint. Not only is peppermint an excellent deterrent to vermin it makes your boat, RV, car and anything else you like to protect smell minty fresh.
What you need:
Peppermint Essential Oil
Clean rag
Small tin container
Cut your rage to fit the bottom of your tin container.
Place rag in the bottom of your tin container. I used a small meatloaf type container, it was no more then 5 inches long. Next pour the essential peppermint oil over the rag, making sure the rag is all damp. Since you are using an essential oil the liquid will not evaporate. The oil could stain materials. Make sure to use a open tin, metal or glass container so that the oil does not seep through.
Place a container every 7 to 10 ft inside boat/RV/car etc. For a car I would put one inside the car and one in the trunk.
That is it, your precious toy is protected and you will love the peppermint smell when you take it out of storage!!!
So I just opened a jar of banana peppers that I canned this fall, they are amazing!! I must share this super easy canning recipe so you can enjoy them as well.
I had never canned before but this method is so easy and can be done in a snap.
What you need:
Tools
Canning Jar - 250 mL - Vintage
with lids and rings qty 4-6
Stock Pot, 8-Qu
big enough to submerge the canning jars
Canning Jar Lifter
not a must but makes it easier
Ingredients
1 lb banana pepper
5 cups white vinegar
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 cup white sugar
*optional jalapeno peppers for added heat
First clean all your jars, lids and rings by boiling them for 10 mins or running them through the dishwasher. If there is anything in the jars it will contaminate your peppers.
Next gather 1lb of banana peppers. I had plants in my garden and also went to the farmers market so I could gather peppers in varying shades of colours. The different colours looks great in the jars but not a necessity.
Clean and slice peppers into rings. Pack jars with sliced peppers. Then make the brine. Brine is the liquid goodness you pour over the peppers and fill the jar with. Add the vinegar, celery seed, mustard seed and sugar together in a pot and bring to a boil. Pour brine over the peppers, making sure to stop 1/2 inch from the top of the jar. Wipe off the rim and put lid and ring on tight.
Water Bath
Place jars in rolling boiling water bath for 20 mins and ensure the jars are fully submerged in the water with 2 inch above the lids. If at any time the water stops boiling, start the process again. This is where a jar lifter comes in handy and saves your hands from being burnt. Make sure the lids have completely sealed by pressing down on the lid. The sealing of the lid may happen 20 mins after you take the jars out of the bath. Make sure you label and date your jar. Wait 2 to 3 weeks and enjoy.
LadiesandTech 