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Home & Garden
**Home School’d Podcast**

At Home Schooled, we know that becoming a homeowner changes your life in a big way- and we’re here to help! Our show was created to educate and empower today’s homeowner, so you can tackle every aspect of your home with confidence.

Whether you’re a DIYer or prefer to let someone else tackle the work, we’ll give you the knowledge you need to turn your house into the home of your dreams…even if it means going through a few nightmares to get there.

Every week hosts Aaron Massey and Tracy Pendergast will introduce you to a guest instructor, who will walk your through an aspect of home ownership. Consider this “Adulting 101″.

If you’re ready to tackle some home-work, you’re in the right place. Press play to join the class!

Latest Episodes:

Study Hall: The Barefoot Forge May 01, 2020

Show notes

QUESTIONS:

What is Damascus steel?
What do you need to get started in blacksmithing?
Whats the name of Craig’s program for the military?

ANSWERS:

It’s a type of steel recognizable by the watery or wavy light and dark pattern of the metal. Craig referred to it as a “metal lasagna” because of the layering of metal.
An anvil, hammer, steel, tongs and a heat source (a coal forge or a propane forge). Craig recommends gas for beginners.
Forging for Fighters. Here’s the info: HERE!

HOMEWORK: Plant some flowers that support the bees! “Get inspired and make things”- make something, anything!

FIND CRAIG!

@thebarefootforge

TheBarefootForge.com

The Maker’s Happy Hour Podcast

Youtube

From Blacksmithing to Beekeeping: Finding Your Next Hobby Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Today we’re checking off a bunch of boxes with an instructor whose skillsets are as varied and diverse as his passions! From dukw boats and blacksmithing to beekeeping, we’re touching on it all.

That’s right, today’s instructor, Craig Cowan, is a former Duck boat tour guide and is the owner of The Barefoot Forge, a Premiere blacksmithing school in Pittsburgh, PA. Using a variety of blacksmithing techniques, Craig teaches people how to create unique hand forged metal keepsakes including how to make their own beautiful damascus steel wedding rings. Each piece is handmade and unique to its creator for a truly one of a kind item.

In addition to blacksmithing, Craig is also an accomplished beekeeper with years of experience catching, and developing hives to create locally produced honey in Pittsburgh.

By the end of this class, you’ll have an idea of what’s involved to create your own unique damascus ring, how to set up your own forge at home, and why you might want to pick up beekeeping (or not) as your next hobby!

What is Damascus steel?

It’s a type of steel recognizable by the watery or wavy light and dark pattern of the metal.

Here’s some info on making your own ring at Barefoot Forge:

Click here!

What do you need to get started in blacksmithing?

An anvil, hammer, steel, tongs and a heat source (a coal forge or a propane forge). Craig recommends gas for beginners.

Spend 7 days bringing up the anvil to everyone you talk to and you’ll get some for free.

Forging for Fighters Info:

HERE!

HOMEWORK: Plant some flowers that support the bees! “Get inspired and make things”- make something, anything!

FIND CRAIG!

@thebarefootforge

TheBarefootForge.com

The Maker’s Happy Hour Podcast

Study Hall: Finding Balance & Inspiration in a Creative Lifestyle Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

QUESTIONS:

What was one of Monica’s home hacks?
How does Monica balance projects and motherhood?
What was one of Monica’s money saving tips?
What was one of Monica’s techniques for getting out of creative slumps?

ANSWERS:

Wrap your paint brush in a wet paper towel and put it in the fridge for up to 3 days instead of having to continue to clean it.
Her and her husband plan their projects, and when possible she involves her son.
Work with what you have! Try to save in one place in order to splurge in another.
Busy work! Monica finds smaller projects that will keep her hands/mind busy and that usually sparks ideas.

HOMEWORK:

Just go for it! Just try! It’s ok to mess up and it’s ok to fail.

FIND MONICA:

INSTAGRAM

BLOG

SHOP

Living A Creative Life Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

We’re often told that if we do what we love, we’ll never have to work a day in our life. In theory, pursuing your passion as a career should be easy and effortless- but today we’re going to talk about the reality of turning your love of DIY into a business.

Today’s instructor, Monica Chavez is a mom, USMC Veteran, Doll Maker, life long DIYer, and the creative behind House of Esperanza! Following her on Instagram feels like a daily invitation into her home, but today we’re going to dig a little deeper and ask her to share the method behind her workflow and family/diy balance.

By the end of this class you’ll have ideas for overcoming creative rut, a handful of Monica’s favorite home hacks and a look into the life of a creative entrepreneur.

How do you plan and prioritize projects? What’s an effective workflow for you?

In between big projects, plan smaller projects that will fill your productivity tank. Take budget into consideration, and also think about which projects will bring you the most joy.

How do you weave motherhood into your daily strategy?

Monica creates balance by utilizing part-time childcare, and also involving her son in projects.

How do you tackle creative slump?

Busy work! Monica finds smaller projects that will keep her hands/mind busy and that usually sparks ideas.

What has been your favorite project and how did it come together?

The library! It took 2 years to create. Watch the library highlight on Monica’s instagram.

You are the queen of helpful home hacks!

Wrap your paint brush in a wet paper towel and put it in the fridge for up to 3 days instead of having to continue to clean it.
Make your own vinegar/citrus cleaner! Put the peels into jars of vinegar and let them sit for 1-2 weeks. The citrus adds to the cleaning power of the vinegar and also takes away the harsh vinegar smell.
To get rid of fruit flies, pour apple cider vinegar in a jar with a little dish soap + water and you’ll kill the little suckers.

Do you have any money saving tips for home improvements?

Work with what you have! Try to save in one place in order to splurge in another.

For parents struggling to find time for work, family and home improvement- how would you encourage them to get started and push forward?

Involve your kids- it will teach them a lot. Talk to your partner about how you can make your goals happen. Create times that are just for family and others where you can focus on things as a team. Prioritize what you need and what will work for you.

HOMEWORK: Just go for it! Just try! It’s ok to mess up and it’s ok to fail.

FIND MONICA:

INSTAGRAM

BLOG

SHOP

We’d like to thank our friends at Ornamental Mouldings and Millwork for sponsoring this episode. If you’re looking for decorative mouldings, stair risers, beams or beyond- check them out at www.ornamental.com!

HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast

HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/

HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com

AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com

TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com

Study Hall: Mural Mural On the Wall Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

QUESTIONS:

How does Racheal create the clean circles, arches and curves?
What did Racheal mention about the Frog Tape?
What are some of the Instagram accounts Racheal said she loves to follow?
How does Racheal prepare the wall?
What type of paint does Racheal use?

ANSWERS:

Pencil, string and a thumbtack! A homemade compass.
There’s a chemical activated by moisture and you can run a sponge along it to get a good seal.
@Ashleymaryart, @VintageRevivals, @HouseofEsperanza, @BenjaminUyeda & @StudioDIY
Just get it clean and smooth!
Flat or matte for the design, eggshell for whites.

HOMEWORK: Paint something!

HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast

HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/

HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com

AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com

TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com

Creating Custom Home Murals Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Aaron is celebrating, because it seems that we have finally transitioned out of the “paint it all white” trend! Homeowners are leaning into home decor that feels one-of-a-kind, and paint is the MVP.

A colorful mural is one of the cheapest ways to change the look and feel of a room, without having to completely overhaul your decor. And the best part: making a statement with paint is affordable and totally DIY-able.

Today’s instructor, Racheal Jackson is a mural magician! Her popular instagram feed @banyanbridges is a stunning collection of DIY interiors, custom murals and so much COLOR! She’s going to share all of her painting knowledge with us and give us the pep talk we need to just go for it!

By the end of this class you’ll know Racheal’s favorite tools for the job, some tips for taking your mural from design to finished product and her recipe for the perfect tape pull. Class is in session!

How do you prepare the surface for your mural? Do you prime?

Make sure that it’s clean and smooth.

What types of paint work best? How do you select sheen?

Flat or matte is preferable so you get the full impact of the design without reflections. For white Racheal uses eggshell.

What types of brushes should you have in your arsenal?

About 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch brushes. Nothing much larger than that.

Do you use any programs to create your mural before painting it?

Illustrator.

What technique do you use to sketch the mural on the wall?

A 4 foot level and pencils!

How do you create clean circles, arches and curves?

A homemade compass! String, pencil and a thumbtack. Then Racheal will slowly freehand it.

Is there a specific order you should paint your mural in?

Lighter colors should go first, same with super vibrant colors.

Any tips for getting the best result out of painters tape/avoiding bleed?

Put on the tape and go over the edge of the tape with the base wall color, so you can control the color that’s bleeding through- then you can put your color on top for a clean peel. Check out her “Clean Lines” highlight on Instagram for more tips!

Aaron mentioned liking Frog Tape

Racheal’s tips:

Bring the paint swatches into the room you’re going to be working on with your normal lighting.
A 4 ft level will be your best friend.
Just start! You’ll learn so much and then you can keep up-leveling!

Homework:

Paint something on your wall! Just to get over your fear of damaging your pristine wall!

Find Racheal!

Website: banyanbridges.com

Instagram: instagram.com/banyanbridges

Some of Racheal’s Fave Instagram accounts!

HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast

HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/

HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com

AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com

TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com

8 Sustainable Product Swaps for Quarantine and Beyond Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

In the past couple weeks we’ve seen lots of panic surrounding access to grocery store items, and although groceries continue to be readily available, it’s important to think about adjustments we can make in our daily lives that will be more reliable. At the end of the day, disposable just doesn’t last.

Luckily for the earth, reliable usually translates to sustainable. Pandemic or not, these 8 changes will create more reliable routines for you, and a decreased footprint on the earth.

Get a bidet

Invest in a water filter

Get houseplants + Plant your food Invest in reusable menstrual products

Start composting

Transition to body bars, lotion bars and soap tablets

Transition to reusable napkins and paper towels

Use coffee presses like the french press to avoid single serve coffee pots and filters

The Top 10 Plants for Removing Indoor Pollutants: Peace lily, golden pothos (Scindapsus aures), English ivy (Hedera helix), chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium), gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'), bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii), azalea (Rhododendron simsii), red-edge dracaena (Dracaena marginata) and spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum).

Here are some of the common vegetables (and herbs) that you can re-grow from scraps:

Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Onions, Garlic, Leeks and Shallots
Celery
Bulb Fennel
Carrots, Turnips, Parsnips, Beets and Other Root Crops
Lettuce, Bok Choi and Other Leafy Greens
Cabbages
Basil, Mint, Cilantro & Other Herbs

Indoor compost bins: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Home-Kitchen-Indoor-Compost-Bins/zgbs/home-garden/3744051

HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast

HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/

HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com

AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com

TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com

Quarantined at Home: Spring Maintenance Check List Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

As the world confronts the spread of the coronavirus, more and more places are implementing stay-at-home orders. And while we’re all sorting through much bigger worries, we’re also left with the more basic question: What should we do while we have so much time at home?

We’re big believers that your top priority should be caring for yourself and your family, but if you find yourself feeling restless, this is also a good opportunity to tackle some home projects and maintenance.

Now is not the time to head to the store for nonessential items, so we’re going to focus on projects you can probably do with materials you have at home or items that can safely get delivered.

Here’s our downloadable list of projects you can do while social distancing at home: HERE

The promo code for Knife Aid is: HOMESCHOOL’D (one word and all caps). This is good for 20% off any of their sharpening packages.

We mentioned Artkive to take your kids artwork digital.

HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast

HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/

HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com

AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com

TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com

Grillin' Like a Villain! Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

QUESTIONS:

When should you pull meat off the grill?
What is one of the marinades Chris mentioned.
How do you avoid your meat sticking to the grill?
What are some pros of the Green Egg.

ANSWERS:

Take it off about 10 degrees before it hits temperature and let it continue to cook off the grill. Carry over cooking!
A can of chilis in adobo with garlic and olive oil.
Take grill up to temperature and use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado oil or grape seed.
It's ceramic so it's great for all weather and it's better for temperature management.

HOMEWORK:

Take notes and observe what's working.

HOME SCHOOL’D COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/homeschooldpodcast

HOME SCHOOL’D INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/homeschooldpodcast/

HOME SCHOOL’D BLOG + SHOWNOTES: https://homeschooldpodcast.com

AARON MASSEY’S SITE: https://www.mrfixitdiy.com

TRACY PENDERGAST’S SITE: https://hey-tracy.com

Becoming a Grill Master Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

Barbecues. Everyone loves them, but they can go wrong. So, so wrong. Today we’re going to get some tips for avoiding rookie mistakes, and taking our grilling to the next level.

Our guest instructor Chris Sussman aka The BBQ Buddha, works with all kinds of live fire environments, from charcoal and gas grills to commercial grade smokers, and everything in-between. He’s mastered the art of grilling in order to help people just like us become the star of our next backyard BBQ.

Chris’s focus is to teach people how to use their 5 senses to produce great results on their grill or smoker. He wants us to move past things like time and temperature and learn to use the environment around us to produce amazing BBQ every time.

By the end of this class you’ll have some handy bbq maintenance tips, a recipe for the perfect rub and marinade and all the tools needed to rock your next backyard bbq.

Chris Mentioned:

His favorite grills: The Big Green Egg and Traeger Grills

His favorite meat sources: Local butcher shops, Costco and Snake River Farms.

Marinades:

TexMex for Beef- Can of chilis in adobo sauce, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime and puree into paste.

Seafood- Garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, olive oil and lime juice + zest. No more than an hour.

Rubs: Dizzy Pig, Meat Church and 41South.

DIY Rubs: 50 percent salt, 50 percent pepper OR equal parts brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper.

HOMEWORK:

-Get a notebook and learn, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Pay more attention to the visual clues.

-Feel confident cooking to 155 and letting it rest until it comes up to temperature.

FIND CHRIS: