1- Francesca has finally reached the point at which she is ready to get rid of her bathroom scale! The moment has come because Francesca has been exercising five times a week (nothing terribly fancy. She is a great fan of the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs), and so she has gained 3 pounds … of muscle. So, what we have is a situation wherein Francesca feels amazing, and has better posture and more energy, but the scale says nothing meaningful. Bye bye Mr. Clunky Machine! From now on Francesca pays attention to her body, not to you!
2- Francesca has provided useful tips in the past regarding makeup, laundry, etc. Now she needs advice from her internet friends! Francesca is in possession of an old coffee grinder which previously belonged to her beloved grandmere, who died about a year ago. It is basically a plain wooden box with a metal grinder up top, which one fills through a little hole and then turns by hand; the ground beans fall into a dear little wooden drawer at the bottom. Very old-school, and with great sentimental value to Francesca, because her grandmother used it for decades, before she moved into a nursing home. It looks sort of like this:
Francesca has not used the grinder for anything, because the smell of her grandmother’s coffee inside brought back wonderful memories. But now, the aroma has faded. Francesca would like to clean the grinder — one can see the remains of what is very likely 15-year-old coffee inside — and begin to use it herself, to grind her own coffee beans.
Her question: How does one safely clean a coffee grinder made of metal and wood, in such a way that one can be sure it is hygienic, without ruining the wood?
3- THE BIG QUESTION: Anyone got interesting plans for the weekend?
My idea would be to put a small amount of rice into the grinder and grind it “clean” that way. I do this once in awhile with my electric coffee grinder because I use it only for spices and it needs to be “air-freshened.” I’d think you may have to do a couple of batches of the rice, and then with a soft towel and a little bit of mild soap and water, gently wipe the inside. What a treasure you have, and how wonderful that you can actually use it.
Comment by Mrs. Hendricks — March 13, 2009 @ 8:56 am
Ah, I have a similiar coffee grinder, given to me by my (95 year old) great-aunt. It is a great family treasure and many family relationships were strained by the fight over it…however Aunt Madelyn whacked her cane on a cousin and declared it mine for my great love of coffee, my red hair, and my understanding of her desire to wear only red clothing.
I was told to wipe it out with cheesecloth, nothing more, because, after all, how dirty is coffee? It was declared to be perfectly “seasoned”.
Personally, I like Mrs. Hendricks’ idea.
As for scales…bah.
Comment by Christine — March 13, 2009 @ 9:17 am
I have been cleaning my electric coffee grinder with a slice or two of torn up soft white bread (not my own idea–as with so many other things, “I read it somewhere”). The moisture in the bread must make the stubborn little coffee bits adhere to the bread crumbs–what you get is sandy looking powder, so simple to dispose of. I’ll try the rice.
Comment by Jude — March 13, 2009 @ 9:29 am
I just popped in to say that, in answer to the Big Question, I am going to see Collective Soul in concert tomorrow night. And then I found the tip about cleaning the coffee grinder with rice, and I’m so glad I dropped in!
Comment by Wendy — March 13, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Flying to LA for business, but with most of Sunday to kill. I hope to see the Bottle Village and the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Maybe also the La Brea Tar Pits.
I may try to dine at one of the restaurants the Manolo has mentioned he prefers when sojourning with the Posse Manolo in Malibu!
Comment by TeleriB — March 13, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Congrats on dumping the scales, Francesca! It’s a freeing moment to depend on your own sense of well-being rather than a number on a mechanical device to determine how you’re doing.
As for the Big Question, I’m going to spend today helping Mr. Twistie rotate pianos (he bought a new one but we have to deliver the old one to the friend who’s taking it before the new one can come in) and tomorrow we’re going to see Chelle and Friends in concert at La Pena in Berkeley. Awesome stuff, folks. If you’re in the area, check it out.
Comment by Twistie — March 13, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Scales = The Man. Congrats on taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally, Francesca!
My big plans for the weekend: I’m doing the 24 Hour Lindy Hop for Life in Orange County, CA to raise funds for cancer research at City of Hope. Each team needs to have at least one team member swing-dancing on the event floor at all times for 24 hours straight. Second time I and my artists co-op are doing this, and it’s insane but great fun! We’re anticipating nearly 600 attendees. *shameless begging here*
Comment by Monica the tiara chick — March 13, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I am going to NYC this weekend to indulge my inner child by going to Barbie Bday boutique @ Bloomingdales. I plan to buy a few new dolls and resist the urge to play with them back @ the hotel :) I will also be going to see Linda Carter AKA Wonder Woman sing @ Lincoln Center. Then Sunday shopping till they kick us out. I am so excited!
Comment by AmazonAngelle — March 13, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
yay for grinders!!
and huzzah fo rno scales
and as for the big question,im having a movie night with meh friends
and i get to bring the movie,the lovely,sexy,funny,A fish called Wanda”
Comment by jessie — March 13, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
Jessie, I adore your choice of movie.
Comment by Twistie — March 14, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
Yes, I echo the bread idea. I use bread to clean my electric grinders after I’ve used them for grinding spices. Works well and won’t damage anything.
Comment by Constance — March 14, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
Don’t use it for coffee. Use it for spices. I have one, and it’s the most perfect tool for spice grinding. Unlike electric grinders, it doesn’t destroy the essential oils.
Otherwise, those do grind coffee beautifully and it tastes better than coffee from an electric grinder for the same reason it’s good for essential oils. Ooh, and you can do things like grind cinnamon directly into the coffee.
Comment by Fabrisse — March 15, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
I’ve used dry bread crusts because they absorb the oil that would make future batches of beans taste ‘off’. Freeze the crusts so they’re stiff, and let them sit for a while in it, both in the hopper and the box.
Comment by blackberry — March 25, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Great article – well presented!, However, I don’t see the relevance of this post, although the content is great, but this is mainly a antique jewelry website.
Comment by Antique Jewelry — April 6, 2009 @ 3:04 am