My Super Duper New Can Opener

 When Dan and I got married, he still had his military issue P-38 can opener.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

I used it ever since, until recently the tip broke off so that it would no longer puncture the can lid. We reckoned his old P-38 was over 40 years old. 

Many cans come with pull-ring lids nowadays, but I still needed a can opener, so I bought a cheap squeeze handle rotary wheel job.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

It lasted for a couple of months before the wheels wouldn't turn when it was applied to the can. But it would still punch the can lid so I used it to start the cut, and then switched to the p-38 to finish removing the lid. 

One day I needed an inexpensive item to make up the difference for free shipping on Amazon. So I took a look at can openers. Some of the newest designs were odd interesting, but many did not look at all practical. Or made for longevity. I think sometimes people have innovative ideas that can't muster practical reality. 

Electric can openers were out, especially the battery powered ones. But I do have an amusing memory of my mother calling her cat by running the electric opener. Said cat always came running, even if no cat food was being opened.

In reading product reviews, I discovered others had the same problem I did with their squeeze handle can opener. The gears just weren't up to more than a couple months of usage. Then I found new P-38s for sale, but wondered about the quality of the steel. Building materials have been cheapened so much over the years that I'm cautious about buying things without seeing them first hand.

Then I saw the Ganji Kankiri

 

Source: Amazon

This is a Japanese can opener (kankiri) which basically works the same as the P-38. Except the blade is larger and heavier, and I loved the hefty sized handle. It wasn't expensive, either.

It felt a little awkward at first but it's easy to use and does an excellent job of opening cans. Some reviewers complained that it cut a somewhat jagged edge, but once I got used to it, I thought it cut a smoother edge than the P-38. I anticipate not needing to buy another can opener for a long, long time.

I never dreamed I'd ever be excited over a can opener, but I do love me some good manual tools. 

My Super Duper New Can Opener © 2026

by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

New Look For the Masonry Stove

I have one more project update to share with you, this one is for the masonry stove. After we made the adjustments and improvements on it last summer, I wasn't sure that I liked the resulting look of it.

 

The improvements in efficiency were well worth the change in aesthetics, but I was used to the visual variations of the bricks and wasn't sure I liked the solid white. I felt something was needed. Here's what we ended up doing.

The newly painted green alcove matches the thermal curtains I bought last year. I got the cast iron tree silhouettes from Etsy. All in all, I like it better. I liked the brick look best, but this is a good alternative.

New Look For the Masonry Stove © 2026

by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Painting the Front Room

On our cold, windy, snowy, icy days, I've been painting the front room. Besides the window coverings, painting means this remodeling project is finally almost done. Once the walls are painted, I can finally start putting the room in order and using it again! I have a weaving project in mind and I'm looking forward to getting back to my loom.

The room certainly needed fresh paint. We could see the old layers of paint on the walls when Dan replaced the windows, and mine is it's third paint job in 100 years. And all of them have been green! I chose a green that coordinated with the window quilts and the throw rugs. 

The old paint was glossy, and I find glossy paints don't take new paint well. Or at least new paint will scratch off more easily over the years. I didn't want to use messy paint remover, nor do a dusty job of sanding, so I washed them down with hot water, dish soap, and Bon Ami. Bon Ami is a non-bleach scrubbing powder that works very well and is safer for graywater systems. I rinsed it off with vinegar water. The walls definitely needed a good cleaning and this took the sheen off the old paint too. 

New color on the left, old color on the right, .

The only "oh well" I have is that when Dan installed the cubby units, he attached them to the wall and desk with angle brackets. So I couldn't move the desk to paint behind it. I did the best I could, but if the desk and shelves are ever removed, it will be obvious! But then, I figure whoever comes behind us will likely re-do the walls anyway. Really, the 100-year-old tongue and groove should be replaced with new walls, but that's beyond the scope of our time, energy, and finances at the moment. A future project out there in someday-ville. For now, fresh paint will have to do.

I'm happy with the way it's turning out. The old color was dingy and dull, but this new shade is fresh and cheerful. It improves the room tremendously.

Painting the Front Room © 2026 by Leigh

at https://www.5acresandadream.com