I was walking along when I was hit. It's Acorn Falling Time and squirrels are throwing acorns at me. He He He.
They don't know I am eating them, and making jewlery from the small bead like WHITE OAK ones.
Bur OAK Acorns with 3/4 caps can be painted with finger nail polish. The Acorn Caps can be used as toys, They float so can be a fairy boat float,
and you can make whistles out of the caps by pressing thumbs together over Acorn Shells and blowing.

http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/acorn/assembl.html

ACORN NUTS are very HIGH in TANNIC ACID so ACORNS MUST BE LEACHED.I like to use the large Red and Burr Oak acorns. As we can not leave Acorns in running water like a creek for a couple of days like the Native Americans to remove all the Tannic Acid.

DO NOT EAT ACORN MEATS UNLEACHED IN LARGE AMOUNTS AS THEY ARE HIGH IN TANIC ACID. I ATE ONE ONCE AND DRANK LEMONADE AFTERWARD > IT TASTED SWEETER BUT I ONLY ATE ONE.

I have used Acorns from the previous year as long as they are brown. . When checking If sign of Acorn worms (hole..), black, moldy, etc. Acorns dump them in large conainer for shells by feet, and nuts in measuring cup.

1 Cup of good shelled Acorns from last year made 2 cups boiled and didn't leach as much as I had expected..

HOW TO LEACH ACORNS ON A GAS STOVE

DO NOT LEACH ACORNS ON STOVE AND BAKE AT THE SAME TIME AS IT AFFECTS YOUR OVEN TEMPERTURE AND BAKED STUFF WILL BURN.

ACORN SHELLS BY THEMSELVES CAN BE BOILED AND MADE INTO TEA. USE ABOUT A HANDFUL OF SHELLS ONLY PER CUP. BOIL UNTIL TEA IS DARK ENOUGH. TASTE TEST.

DO NOT USE THE NUTS FOR TEA EXCEPT AT ENDING OF LEACHING PROCESS WHEN YOU CAN SEE THROUGH IT TO SEE IF IT IS NO LONGER BITTER AND IS DONE.

DO NOT USE ACORN NUT MEATS IN LARGE AMOUNTS UNLEACHED DUE TO THE HUGE AMOUNT OF TANIC ACID IN THEM..

Early Acorns fall in the fall with the shells still green. They will ripen if stored in a ventelated bag or basket with other Acorns. If Acorns are STORED and dry out they will double in size when leached. Bur Oak Acorns shrink when they dry out inside the shell which makes them a great cat toy.

STORE ACORNS IN BREATHABLE CONTAINERS like Paper Bags, Cloth Bags, or Baskets.

The OAK is officially AMERICA'S NATIONAL TREE. It provides Acorns.

TO REMOVE THE SHELLS from all the Acorns. I did this by putting one vertically with the point on it upward between my molars and biting sharpley, then repeating with the next Acorn. I had been afraid of crushing the Acorn Meats inside the shells and was preparing them while camping at a Primative Rondezvous where I was trying to be period (pre 1840 only) and cracked them like in another time period. If you crack Acorns like this you MUST be very careful as it may demage your teeth if you do it too much.

I mention this method to give you an idea as to what kind of pressure is needed to crack an Acorn with a nut cracker without smashing the Acorn... The large Bur Oak Acorns need a strong Nut Cracker. There has to be a better and faster way.

Put a large container between your feet and crack Acorns over it so you can drop the bad Acorns in it along with shells.

I put 3 cups Acorns in a pan or bowl to be shelled, I remove nuts from shells putting them in a measuring cup till full and put shells and bad nuts in large container between my feet.

NUTY TIPS ~ You can open a Large Paper Clip 1/3 of the way and use the open end to remove Acorn Nuts from their shells. A Potato Pealer can be used to scrape and remove discoloreration from the Acorn Meats.
If insect or squirely sign throw Acorn out.

Do not worry if the inner skin of the Acorn shells stick to the Acorn nut meat. It will seperate when boiled. Then skim off amd discard the skins. Like Acorn shells the inner skins float.

PREPARING ACORN MEAL

Set two large Pots of Water Boiling , If you have a TV set turn it on for a timer. Find a 2 hour movie with commercials or TV shows. Do Not use Paid commercials and PBS shows as they confuse timing. Put Acorn Nut Meats in a Pot Of Boiling Water

NEVER COOK ACORN MEATS IN COLD WATER.

Boil for 15 minutes and then Pour the Boiling Water off every 15 minutes, or every time there is a commercial during the movie. Shake up the nuts in the pan abit and pour more Boiling Water over the Acorn Nuts. The skin (inner shell) of Bur Oak often adhere to the large nut meat. It comes off when boiled and usually floats. Pour off skins as they are bitter and should be removed.

REMEMBER ~ When pouring the Acorn Water off that it contains lots of TANNIN which IS USED AS A DYE. Let water run into the sink fast and steady otherwise the hot Acorn Water STAINS your sink real bad. If so put a little bleach, in it fill full of hot water and let set awhile.

NEVER PUT COLD WATER ON ACORNS ~ USE ONLY BOILING WATER

Anyway every time a TV Commercial (every 15 minutes) comes on pour off the boiling water.Shake the nuts abit and pour fresh boiling water on them from pot on back of stove until there is no color in the water when you pour it off. About 2 hours or one TV Movie. This may be longer depending on type of Acorns, I figure its done if I can read something in a cup (such as numbers in my glass measuring cup) through the Acorn Water.

Pour into a Cup and taste it. Sample 1 Acorn if you want. If it is no longer bitter boil 4 more times, and drain.

After they are leached put the Acorn Meats on a cookie sheet and put them in a low oven about 200 - 250 degrees til they are dry or leave out for sun to remove moisture or abit of both. If leaving outdoors in sun beware of squirrels.

When Acorns are dry grind it in a chopper, food procesor, or coffee grinder until it is a meal like flour or other texture depending on use. You can grind it by using a motar and pestal but it takes longer.

ACORN GRUELL can be made by Leaching all the bitterness out of the Acorns, drying on Cookie Sheet like mentioned above, and then grind the Acorn Meats to medium grind for texture. Add a little hot water and bring to boil to heat up Gruel. Add Honey ....to taste and serve. HOW TO

USE ACORN MEAL ~ Use with flour by combining 50-50 Acorn Meal with Flour. This is necessary as Acorn Meal does not have Gluten found in Flour which is needed to hold everything together.

If you put Acorn Meal in plastic containers and don't use it soon it will mold. The Wintu Indians mixed Acorn flour with water and let it mold. They then used the mold like Penicilan.

ACORN FRYING PAN BREAD

IN A BOWL MIX TOGETHER 2 CUPS ACORN MEAL, 2 CUPS FLOUR, 8 TBSP. SUGAR, 4 TSP. BAKING POWDER, AND 2 TSP SALT.
MIX IT UP REAL GOOD CLOCKWISE TO ADD POSITIVE ENERGY.

STIRING SLOWLY ADD 1 TO 1 1/2 CUP WATER STIRRING AND MIXING UNTIL YOU HAVE A DRY SPONGY DOUGH THAT SPRINGS BACK WHEN PRESSED WITH THE BACK OF A SPOON.

PUT 1/3 INCH CONOLA OIL IN LARGE FRYING PAN. TAKE TAD BIT OF DOUGH AND DROP IN OIL. WHEN IT STARTS BUBBLING AT EDGE IT IS READY.

DIVIDE DOUGH INTO LOAVES AND COVER WITH FLOUR. FRY A FEW MINUTES UNTIL UNDERSIDE FEELS ROUGH AND HARD WITH KNIFE.

COVER TOP AND SIDES WITH FLOUR AND USING FLOURED TURNER TURN LOAF OVER. COOK UNTIL BOTTOM IS HARD AND ROUGH. REMOVE AND PUT ON PLATE TIL COOL.

Acorn Meal is used with flour in making Bread, Dressing, Muffins, Roast, Pan Cakes, etc. as I have mentioned or combine 50 % Acorn Meal with 50 % Flour in a favorite recepie and see what happens. Be nutty.

Enjoy the Acorns and all the memories . Comments

WHEN I POSTED THIS FROM READABLE FORM IT PUSHED EVERYTHING TOGETHEER SO I REEDITED IT.

I think I'll stick with cashews. Why you ask? Because I can eat them fresh out of the can! When I twist off the lid, I'm good to go. Acorns are just too much frickin' work. Why if the squirrels had to do all that, they'd be extinct... especially the guy squirrels. (j/k)

The Universe

 - I may not have 6-pack abs but I make up for it with my 12-pack mentality.

Wow...that is a lot of work!
I have never tasted anything made with acorn meal but I would try it if I had the chance.

Timeloyd, do people ever use the tanic acid solution from leeching the acorns for anything medicinal?
I know tanic acid is good for sunburns and itchy bug bits so I am just wondering if it could be used for something like that.

I think I will just leave our acorns and black walnuts for the squirrels...lol.
Interesting post...Thanks, Timeloyd.

I was riding my bike along and noticed some small Acorns on the ground that were about 1 inch across by about 1/2 inch. Too small to eat well the4y would be tedious shelling but I decided on another use for them.They reminded me of the Lei I got made out of Nuts when I was in Haswaii in 1988 and got Leid. t was alot of fun.. It is still in good condition. I deciderd that the small Acorns could be used for Acorn Beads and thus played arround with them and made an Acorn Necklace which turned into a Hat Band with a twist of a few Acorns...
So here is another use for Acorns.~ ACORN BEADS AND JEWLERY ~EQUIPMENT ~ Get yourself some Acorns about a large pocket full or more depending on how many you want to make and how big they are, 150 package of Pony Beads. They can be obtained in Plastic or Glass.
I prefer the Glass Ones which are not bitter and have a smooth texture.
Yes you can tell the difference by tasting them. I learned this at Rondezvous where everything had to be period (pre 1840) and Plastic trade goods were not allowed to trade.
You also need a large eyed Tree Corner Point Upholstry Leather Needle and some Waxed Nylon Thread / Artificial Sinew to string them on. You can rub Candle Wax over thread but I prefer Waxed Nylon / Artificial Sinew as it is stronger as it is several layers of Nylon thread waxed together. Thus you should burn the tips when done to keep it from unraveling.
For the Necklace I used 27 Acorns about 1 inch across by half an inch high. The lighter colored eye part that was covered by the cap is held on top. True it might move arround when wearing but that gives it character.
I used about 27 orange Pony Beads. I picked orange because it reminded me of turning leaves and I felt it looked good with the Acorns.
Now for todays Craft ACORN BEADS.
When you find the Acorns you like go through them and get rid of any that have cracks, holes, don't look good ...Try to get them all the same size. Hold the Acorn so that the eye on top / cap is up.
To drill the Acorn use the Three Cornered Leather UpHoldstry ~ Canvas Needle. Decide where you want it to go below the eye and aim itacross towards the opposite side of the Acorn. Press Needle into the Acorn's thin shell moveing it in a clockwise circular motion rubbing the edge of the hole you are makeing until it is a little bit bigger then the Needle so it will be easy to pull the thread through. Moveing the Needle back and forth and arround push it through the Acorn moveing Needle from side to side and up and down till it starts to come through on the opposite side. Remove the Needle from the Acorn and put it in the Acorn where it came out. If off center or too low or high make hole bigger on one side to balance it rotateing the Needle.. Keep moveing Needle arround edge till hole is bit bigger then the Needle. Push Needle through Acorn and pull thread / artificial sinew in the Needle through the Acorn leaveing 2 inch at begining above knot next to Acorn for use in tying when the Necklace is done.
When you have gone through the Acorn with the thread put a Pony Bead on the Thread.
If you want you can tie a knut next to the Acorn nut but make sure it's tight against the Acorn and slide the Pony Bead over it. Press Leather Needle into the next Acorn revolveing to creat a hole and string it as I mentioned. Tie another knut tight against the Acorn if you want.
This is not neccessary as it requires patience but will add to it if done right and the knut is concealed by the Pony Bead which you put on next.
Drill and add next Acorn until you have used 27 Acorns and 27 Pony Beads. How many knuts did you make? Except one at begining, and one at end I only did it after each Acorn before sliding the Pony Bead over the Knut and then adding the next Acorn. I did not do this the first time or when I don't want to do alot of knuttin.When you get to the end tie a knut then put a Pony Bead on the thread / sinew and tie both ends of the thread / sinew into a knut so that the knut is hidden by the Pony Bead. If possible burn both ends down to keep from unraveling. If done right this will be hidden by the Pony Bead.
It should be about 28 inches long or when tied 14 inches across.You can change the length of it by makeing a triangle of the three end nuts above two opposite Pony Beads (second set) twisting the thread / artificial sinew arround below the Pony Beads. It should make a slight popping sound when it is tight enough. The three end Acorns will look like a Medalion.
I used 14 Acorns in my Wrist/Ankle Bracelet. The number will very depending on the wrist ankle size. I used more on my Ankle Bracelet. Twist the three end Acorns twisting the thread below the second set of two opposite Pony Beads a couple of times till it makes a soft popping sound to keep it from falling off. Hmm I could probably make the Necklace into a Wrist Band by twisting it.
My belt was wearing out at the holes and if I could make my HAT BAND made of 28 1 inch by 1/2 inch Acorns and 27 Pony Beads that I could also use as a Necklace with fastened ends twisted to make a Medalion as well as tighten the Hat Band. I then realized I could make it bigger and not fasten the ends and I would have an
ACORN BELT. I used 44 ACORNS and 43 Red, White, And Blue Pony Beads. You can adjust the number of Acorns, Beads alternating betwween them and Colors of beads to your size and color taste. I wear a size 38 but bigger in winter when I wear extra shirts, etc. in layers to help me stay warm so will have to make a bigger one for then. Anyway wrap the Artificial Sinew which comes in rolls arround your waist and add 2 feet onto it to see how much you need.
I tie a knut in the artificial Sinew / Waxed Nylon 2 inches up from end before putting it back against the roll to make the end easier toi find. If not knoitted on roll start out by tying a knut about 2 Inches from the end.. Put 2 more Knuts on top of the first one to keep the Acorn from sliding off of it.
Decide where in the side of Acorn you want hole and press the Needle into it wriggling arround and back and forth arround outside of hole tilll hole is bigger then the Needle so it and Artificial Sinew/ Waxed Nylon can go through it and inside Acorn pressing back and forth press the Needle through the Acorn.
When tip starts comeing out opposite side reverse Needle and put into Acorn where it is comeing out. Continue through to entry hole. Reverse Needle and wriggling pull it and Artificial Sinew through the Acorn. Slide a Pony Bead arround the Needel and over the Artificial Sinew to the Acorn.
I started tieing a Knut after each Acorn but it got tedious and after awhilke when Acorns dry out and break it is hard toi move them together again.. I now do it at only at the begining about 2 inches into Artificial Sinew / Waxed Nylon and at end and if I decide to discontinue working on it for a bit so I do not loose the Needle nor does Acorn come off. Sliding a Pony Bead over the Needle and thread.Then add another Acorn. After going through with thread add Another Pony Bead, Acorn , Pony Bead, etc.... until you are almost out of length of Artificial Sinew, and Acorns to the last Acorn as possible makeing a couple more Knuts on top of the one against the Acorn. Do this as close as you can so the knut is against the Acorn. You may have to insert the Needle into the knut to pull it close to the Acorn.Tie knut three or four times on top of each other so the Acorn will not slide arround too much and come off.
OIH Yes if joining two ends together as in Hat Band, Necklace or Wrist / Ankel Bracelet slide a bead after last Acorn and tie again so knut ends up inside the Bead. Twist above opposite beads to tighten or create Medalion.
Notice the Artificial Sinew / Waxed Nylon has started to fray at the ends. Get a candle if you are not useing waxed nylon / artificial sinew, or if it started to fray at the ends already. After rubbing wax on it dirrectly ior pulling over the candle rotating the sinew/nylon thread if necceary and it is already waxed and has not started to Fray and seperate Being real careful light the end with a match and blow it out before the flame reaches the knut. This will keep the end from Fraying more and coming unraveled so that the knut will come off and the Acorn belt may fall to pieaces. Hmmm coulds make an interesting story song idea.
TO FASTEN put BELT on and holding Acorns on each side from a few up from the end pull as tight as you can and twist beads around each other on oposite sides and a soft popping sound is heard or it is tight.
NOTE ~ Remember which direction you twisted it so you can get it unfastened fast twisting in the opposite dirrectioin if you really have to ....It is done. AHO !

I was looking at my Bike Baskets and I got to thinking of making ACORN BIKE CHAINS makeing them a little bit longer say 70 Acorns and 69 Pony Beads or more fastening them to the inside front corner of basket twisting it arround itself and basket then to outside, along it and to back inside corner. Useing a seperate one on each side and one across the back it would look cool in a Parade.
There would be just one problem. The Squirrels would take to following me arround and I dare not leave it setting out at night or they might start eating it. They already took and ate through a clean plastic labelless frosting container containing 2 cups of Acorn Meal that had molded I discovered when I found it half eaten by them on the ground near my bike.
Still maybe I could use Acorn Chains if in a Parade. I would have to remove them if I leave the bike due to the squirrels probably wanting them and waiting for me to leave. AAHH WEELL It was an idea.
I then used Acorn Chains on my Bike and won Fantastic Novelty Award in the Parade Of Lights.
Oh yes Aho means Amen or So be it ~ in Native American. Aho !
IF STRANDED OR IN EMERGENCY YOU CAN USE THE ACORN BELT, JEWLERY, ETC. TO MAKE TEA FROM THE ACORN SHELLS AND LEACH THE ACORN NUTS AND MAKE ACORN FRYING PAN BREAD FROM THEM SO YOU WILL NOT BE HUNGRY FOR NUTTIN.

NOTE ~ I could not Edit this onto the Acorn Jewlery infromation so here it is.

The advantage to this Acorn Jewelry is that the Acorns can be shelled and boiled for Tea in an emergency, and the nuts lerached and eaten..
I wonder if they would make good trade items. The Squirrels might spot them and follow you. Especialy if you wear Acorn Neckless, Bracelet, Belt, and Hat Band. They sure look Kool. I wonder what the Squirrels would trade for them.

REMEMBER WHERE YOUR TOWEL IS

Timeloyd Rich GALACTIC PICNIC INFRO. AND GALACTIC ORDER OF TOWELERS GalacticPicnic@RespectThePlanet.comMSN MESSENGER Buddy List ~ Timeloyd@webtv.net Taimm@webtv.net [_-_}+ http://community.webtv.net/Taimloyd/FORAGINGTHEEDIBLE http://community.webtv.net/Taimloyd/SMUDGINGCEREMONY HAVE A FANTASTIC AND MARVELOUSLY SHININ YEAR REMEMBER WHERE YOUR TOWEL IS DNA4FR IS [o__} : : : : http://community.webtv.net/Timeloyd/GALACTICHITCHHIKER REMEMBER WHERE YOUR TOWEL IS DNA4FR

Again, I'll stick to cashews. Why you ask? Because I don't wear necklaces (maybe you were thinking of Saturn) and besides, that last thing I need when I'm out walking is a bunch of rabid squirrels jumping at my throat!

The Universe

 - Waiting on the GIF Blondie is bound to come up with for that one.