I was reading an article tonight by the great Patrice Lewis (www.rural-revolution.com) about allotting 10% of your income (actually they are committed to doing this) to "preps". I believe I am going to try that...it is better than nothing. I get so stuck about where to start. My list is soooooo long. Living out of my storage this past year has seriously depleted some areas. Okay, ALL areas. I am working on my list and breaking it up into shelter, food, medicine, tools, livestock, miscellaneous (clothes, shoes, etc.).
Actually 30% of our income will be going towards shelter (building the house), 10% to the church (this is the plan), 10% to preps, 10% savings, and 40% to living expenses. So, roughly $1500 a month towards expenses and $1500 towards those things you see listed here.
I'll let you know how we do. Making my list of prep items to purchase this Thursday (pay day) tonight.
Medicinal items needed so far:
more antibiotics (see Enola's book)
neosporin
alcohol
peroxide
iodine
immodium
tums
bandaids
gauze
tape
splints
butterfly sutures
dental kits
suture kits
Misc.
zip ties
bungees
pvc pipe
metal pipe
foam insulation
flashing
poultry fence
stock panels (for garden)
galvanized tubs, pails, buckets
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The roof is on!
PH, PS#1 and PD#1
PH is finishing up the last piece of roofing
The horses and goats now have some sort of shelter from the elements.
The enclosed area on the right houses the hay, feed, meat chickens in their tractor, saddles and miscellaneous equipment.
With the exception of buying the sheet metal screws it was all done with salvaged materials.
I'm pretty proud of PH and his accomplishment. Yeah!
Friday, December 23, 2011
With Bated Breath
The kids are waiting with baited breath for Christmas Day. They think it has taken so long to get here, I don't think it has taken long enough. I didn't get the opportunity to really enjoy Christmas this year.
We cleaned the house really well today, and did loads of laundry. Primarily, blankets. Our temperatures are going to be in the low 30's the next few days. We stopped by and purchased additional kerosene, in case we run out and brought in stacks of wood for the stove. The beds are made with the flannel sheets, piled with blankets and the kids are in their flannel pajamas tucked in with a hot water bottle for their feet.
I love sitting here by the fire at night knowing that everything has been taken care of. The animals have been fed and are bedded down in the barn. The laundry has been taken off the line, and my family is tucked into a nice warm bed. Living out here and rarely leaving can give you a feeling that nothing else exists or matters. I like that feeling.
We have opted to stay home for Christmas, foregoing any outside family celebrations. The need for reflection and time with my immediate family is strong with me this year. It's been a struggle this year to deal with others that have chosen not to walk with God, or ridicule our preparedness mindset. I am usually pretty good at letting things roll off my back, and allowing others to make their poor choices. Not this year. As time grows short, I feel a deep sadness that the path they are on is not one God would choose for them. It is really difficult to see people on a path to destruction, especially when you care for their well being.
As we approach the day of celebration for our Saviour's birth, I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
We cleaned the house really well today, and did loads of laundry. Primarily, blankets. Our temperatures are going to be in the low 30's the next few days. We stopped by and purchased additional kerosene, in case we run out and brought in stacks of wood for the stove. The beds are made with the flannel sheets, piled with blankets and the kids are in their flannel pajamas tucked in with a hot water bottle for their feet.
I love sitting here by the fire at night knowing that everything has been taken care of. The animals have been fed and are bedded down in the barn. The laundry has been taken off the line, and my family is tucked into a nice warm bed. Living out here and rarely leaving can give you a feeling that nothing else exists or matters. I like that feeling.
We have opted to stay home for Christmas, foregoing any outside family celebrations. The need for reflection and time with my immediate family is strong with me this year. It's been a struggle this year to deal with others that have chosen not to walk with God, or ridicule our preparedness mindset. I am usually pretty good at letting things roll off my back, and allowing others to make their poor choices. Not this year. As time grows short, I feel a deep sadness that the path they are on is not one God would choose for them. It is really difficult to see people on a path to destruction, especially when you care for their well being.
As we approach the day of celebration for our Saviour's birth, I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Chilly Days, Rainy Nights
Is that a song? Something niggles at my mind, and the title of today's (tonight's) post sounds familiar. Now, that our other vehicle is gone, I am driving the old farm truck. I plan to get the tags for our wonderful van, but haven't had time yet to get them renewed. The truck sure does drink a lot of gas. It took a half tank ($40) to get to church and back today. If I hadn't already promised the PK's to attend a Christmas Party at a homeschool buddy's house Monday we would be staying home. It's definitely challenging to drive that old truck. The door takes turns on flying open as I turn a corner, or refusing to open so that I may get into the truck. PD#2 takes great delight in coming in from the passenger side and kicking the door open for me.
PH started the barn extension yesterday, using scrap metal, and supplies we had lying around the farm. While waiting for the funds to clear our bank from the vehicle sale, he started measuring, digging holes for support posts and welding metal together for roof trusses. The new extension is 24 X 20. So added to our original 20 X 20 shed it will be a welcome place for the goat and horses to get out of the weather. The original barn is filled primarily with hay, storage boxes around the outside edges, animal feed, and the chicken tractor (complete with chickens). The PKs and I recently picked up a load of wild melons from the road side. We are storing a small pile in the barn. We chop open one daily and give to the pigs as a supplement to their diet of Sweet Feed and the beef grower pellets they steal from the calf. PH let everyone out of their pens today while he worked on the barn. It was a pleasant surprise, upon arriving home from church, to see the fields filled with goats, a calf, three pigs, three horses, and a large flock of chickens. ALL grazing together under the watchful eye of our Pyr and assorted cats and dogs. It was a huge welcome home party!
On a more serious note, this PW is getting a little irritated at people's narrow mindness. I struggle with the belief (from time to time) that people just need to be educated, and will then bow to my superior wisdom. It doesn't always work that way though (no kidding, I am surprised too!) I understand the concept of free will, but what I don't understand is how people believe in things that have been shown time and time again to not work. Case in point, modern medicine. I have very little respect for modern medicine. It has it's place, but as a LAST resort. Over my life I have had to visit many doctors for myself and my children. I've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't. What makes a good doctor, and what makes a poor one. To me a poor doctor is one who listens to the patient's complaints, treats the symptoms by throwing a drug at it, all within 15 minutes of walking in the exam room door. It takes a little longer to get at the root of an illness. An illness is not totally the sum of it's symptoms, but the underlying CAUSE needs to be addressed and CURED. Not treated. Cured. The majority of illness (even diabetes and arthritis) can be cured, but where is the money to be made in that?
Trying to educate people on taking control of their health is very hard. Years of indoctrination and blind trust has really taken it's toll and people are secure in it's grip. Not a good sign.
Well, off to bed. The rain has started again, and along with the heat from the wood stove has succeeded in making me sleepy.
**forgot to mention I was given several pounds of venison. I'd like to cook some for dinner tomorrow, and can the rest in pints..won't be a lot, but I am trying to can more meat instead of relying on the freezer.
I haven't asked the question in awhile so I will now. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO GET PREPARED THIS WEEK? One for the upcoming winter weather headed this way and two for TMHTF? We are one step closer to butchering our meat birds, working on a barn extension for our animals, clearing up trash around the place, and taking an inventory of necessary tools/items. I received a new 23 quart pressure canner for Christmas (I know this because my mom sent to me UNWRAPPED. I assume I was supposed to ignore the picture of the canner on the side, but I just couldn't. From experience, I "know" that sometimes the picture on the box is not ALWAYS what is in the box, but this time IT IS! How wonderful is that!? I now have 2 pressure canners a 10 quart and a 23 quart, plus a water bath canner. I am so blessed!
PH started the barn extension yesterday, using scrap metal, and supplies we had lying around the farm. While waiting for the funds to clear our bank from the vehicle sale, he started measuring, digging holes for support posts and welding metal together for roof trusses. The new extension is 24 X 20. So added to our original 20 X 20 shed it will be a welcome place for the goat and horses to get out of the weather. The original barn is filled primarily with hay, storage boxes around the outside edges, animal feed, and the chicken tractor (complete with chickens). The PKs and I recently picked up a load of wild melons from the road side. We are storing a small pile in the barn. We chop open one daily and give to the pigs as a supplement to their diet of Sweet Feed and the beef grower pellets they steal from the calf. PH let everyone out of their pens today while he worked on the barn. It was a pleasant surprise, upon arriving home from church, to see the fields filled with goats, a calf, three pigs, three horses, and a large flock of chickens. ALL grazing together under the watchful eye of our Pyr and assorted cats and dogs. It was a huge welcome home party!
On a more serious note, this PW is getting a little irritated at people's narrow mindness. I struggle with the belief (from time to time) that people just need to be educated, and will then bow to my superior wisdom. It doesn't always work that way though (no kidding, I am surprised too!) I understand the concept of free will, but what I don't understand is how people believe in things that have been shown time and time again to not work. Case in point, modern medicine. I have very little respect for modern medicine. It has it's place, but as a LAST resort. Over my life I have had to visit many doctors for myself and my children. I've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't. What makes a good doctor, and what makes a poor one. To me a poor doctor is one who listens to the patient's complaints, treats the symptoms by throwing a drug at it, all within 15 minutes of walking in the exam room door. It takes a little longer to get at the root of an illness. An illness is not totally the sum of it's symptoms, but the underlying CAUSE needs to be addressed and CURED. Not treated. Cured. The majority of illness (even diabetes and arthritis) can be cured, but where is the money to be made in that?
Trying to educate people on taking control of their health is very hard. Years of indoctrination and blind trust has really taken it's toll and people are secure in it's grip. Not a good sign.
Well, off to bed. The rain has started again, and along with the heat from the wood stove has succeeded in making me sleepy.
**forgot to mention I was given several pounds of venison. I'd like to cook some for dinner tomorrow, and can the rest in pints..won't be a lot, but I am trying to can more meat instead of relying on the freezer.
I haven't asked the question in awhile so I will now. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO GET PREPARED THIS WEEK? One for the upcoming winter weather headed this way and two for TMHTF? We are one step closer to butchering our meat birds, working on a barn extension for our animals, clearing up trash around the place, and taking an inventory of necessary tools/items. I received a new 23 quart pressure canner for Christmas (I know this because my mom sent to me UNWRAPPED. I assume I was supposed to ignore the picture of the canner on the side, but I just couldn't. From experience, I "know" that sometimes the picture on the box is not ALWAYS what is in the box, but this time IT IS! How wonderful is that!? I now have 2 pressure canners a 10 quart and a 23 quart, plus a water bath canner. I am so blessed!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Prairie Fruitcake
1/2 cup shortening/lard
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
generous dash of nutmeg
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup water
1/2 to 1 cup dried fruit (raspberries, blackberries or any dried tart fruit like cranberries or cherries)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Extra brown sugar for topping, about 1/2 cup
Grease and flour a 9 X 13 inch pan.
Cream together the first four ingredients. Mix in the applesauce. Add the baking soda, salt and spices. Blend in the flour and the water.
Stir in the remaining ingredients. sprinkle additional brown sugar on the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the cake tests done.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 16, 2011
This time of year is frustrating for me. It gets dark so early, and prevents me from getting a good 4-5 hours of outside work done (sigh). PH gets about ZERO done around the place once he arrives home from work. I find myself antsy being cooped up with so many people in such a small space. You'd think after almost 3 years, I'd have everything under control, but I find that it is more of a downward spiral into chaos, then a good routine.
We will be working on laundry, and cleaning up storage items tomorrow. Plus, we have some canning to do this weekend; more tomato sauce to be made. Organic Roma tomatoes were on sale at the grocery store, and we are about out of tomato sauce.
I was able to can five pints of chicken noodle soup (minus the noodles) to add to the pantry. I am longing for the house to be finished so that I can have my stores organized, and I can easily see what I need to stock up on. I buy things and stick them where there is a vacant spot, then can't find something when I need it. One of the drawback to living in a shipping container I guess. Lack of space ;-)
All the animals are doing great, and Wilbur is healed.
We sold one of our vehicles to raise money for the housing project. Additionally, it lowered our car insurance bill by $30 dollars. That's always good.
We will be working on cleaning up the homestead this weekend. Lots of things to put away, organized and to trash.
Christmas shopping is about done, only four more gifts to purchase. We cut way back on gift giving this year, only our immediate family, and the kids were limited to one USEFUL gift.
The weather has been chilly a lot lately, and we've been burning pretty steadily through our wood pile. Our coldest months are still ahead.
We will be working on laundry, and cleaning up storage items tomorrow. Plus, we have some canning to do this weekend; more tomato sauce to be made. Organic Roma tomatoes were on sale at the grocery store, and we are about out of tomato sauce.
I was able to can five pints of chicken noodle soup (minus the noodles) to add to the pantry. I am longing for the house to be finished so that I can have my stores organized, and I can easily see what I need to stock up on. I buy things and stick them where there is a vacant spot, then can't find something when I need it. One of the drawback to living in a shipping container I guess. Lack of space ;-)
All the animals are doing great, and Wilbur is healed.
We sold one of our vehicles to raise money for the housing project. Additionally, it lowered our car insurance bill by $30 dollars. That's always good.
We will be working on cleaning up the homestead this weekend. Lots of things to put away, organized and to trash.
Christmas shopping is about done, only four more gifts to purchase. We cut way back on gift giving this year, only our immediate family, and the kids were limited to one USEFUL gift.
The weather has been chilly a lot lately, and we've been burning pretty steadily through our wood pile. Our coldest months are still ahead.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Winterizing and Sick Pigs
We are having VERY cold temperatures here lately. It was 28 "officially", but it's usually colder out here in our little valley. About a 5 degree difference on average. (In the summer it's hotter - go figure). PH had bought pipe insulation, those black foam tubes. We spent the afternoon putting them on the pipes, and covering the water tank and booster pump (it cracked last year during a cold spell and had to be welded). PH was also able to bring a pick up bed load of used wheel chocks from work. They throw them on their back lot and let them rot, so PH brings them home for us to burn. We were able to get 3 cords of wood this year from these oak wheel chocks. They are about 2 feet long, some are 12 inches wide and need to be split to fit into the wood stove. We have plenty of wood, and PH also picked up three rubber maid totes full of pine cones. There is a huge tree that overhangs the road on his way home. He picked up all the ones in the street and on the county right of way. Bedding down the animals with plenty of hay, plenty of food and water, plus making sure they are sheltered from the North is part of our routine when expecting cold weather. We allow our chihuahua to sleep inside at night during the Winter. She used to be a totally inside dog (except for potty breaks) but when we moved out her to our "cabin-tainer" the inside pets traumatically (for them) became outside pets.
Wilbur, our baby boar, is sick. Pretty sure it is penumonia. Gave him a penicillin injection and praying he gets well. More later...PS#2 is fussing and I need to put him to bed.
Wilbur, our baby boar, is sick. Pretty sure it is penumonia. Gave him a penicillin injection and praying he gets well. More later...PS#2 is fussing and I need to put him to bed.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Shifting Gears
Lately, I have been motivated to try and shop more locally. My focus has been on organic as being healthier, but I am also concerned about conserving gas, wear and tear on the car PLUS knowing where to get food locally in the case the JIT system breaks down (grin). Having been a small business owner myself, I really prefer to give my money to a small-town business owner, instead of a big corporation. I am trying to stay out of Walmart, and can't remember the last time I went (a month ago?) to one. PD#1 needed new "unmentionables". We didn't go to Walmart, but to a local San Antonio store for them. I was very proud of myself. They were having a great sale too ;-)
Sometimes the prices are higher, but I pay them. If I drove into town for the item, I'd have to add the cost of fuel into it, and it'd be the same or higher. Thursday is my errand day and it normally looks like this:
1) Stop by bank and withdraw amount to spend (I don't like to use the card at the stores but pay cash, often I can get a cash discount, especially on fuel purchases at the locally owned oil company (they sell gas about 25 cents cheaper than the gas station, and I get an additional discount when paying cash). We buy our kerosene here also. We use kerosene for our oil lamps, and for the heater when the temps are in the 30s and below. We have the wood stove, but it doesn't heat the back bedroom, and that is the coldest room.
2) Stop by post office
3) Dairy for raw milk, sometimes Farmhouse Cheddar if I haven't made cheese.
4) Meat Market for American Cheese/Mild cheddar. These are in slices for sandwiches. My last hold out that isn't organic because I can't get it local.
5) Poultry farm for a few chickens cut into pieces, instead of whole roasting chickens. (this is normally a once a month expense)
6) Oil company for gas/kerosene
7) Produce Stand or local farm for produce. Today I purchased produce at the local grocery store, which I have been trying to stay out of. I went for one item today, and they have a NEW organic and local produce section. It's small, but I was very excited.
8) Library
9) Local Mexican/Jalisco Bakery for awesome tortillas (sometimes I make my own, but I like to support this baker). and sometimes doughnuts.
We did head into S.A. yesterday to pick up my beef order. I had ordered 25 lbs of organic, grass fed beef from a somewhat local to me (about 50 miles) rancher. He raises Longhorn cattle and sells the beef through the San Antonio RealFoods group.
Lately, I am also interested in reducing our electrical energy consumption. After reviewing our energy consumption for the month I was shocked to see that we used 1286 KWH. I reviewed our history for the year and not surprisngly we use the most during July and August, the two hottest months of the year. But I was happy to see that last year at this time we used 300 MORE kWH than this year. Two things I think are a factor is our new pump (it's smaller, so uses less electricity and we aren't irrigating and filling the pond) 2) it isn't as cold, so we haven't used the little space heater in the bathroom very much. I think we'll keep it off UNLESS someone is bathing. I have the wood stove going now, and the bathroom door open, so the heat can filter into there.
My goal for this month is to lower the kWH usage by 40 kWH. This will be the start. My goal is to cut our useage in half IF possible. We seriously need a solar or wind source of energy to run the well pump. I already hang my laundry out, only using the dryer if something is really needed and it's raining (which isn't often here). I asked everyone to leave the lights off if they are watching t.v., to unplug the laptop when charged, and only plug it in when it needs charging. I'll be turning off the desktop computer and internet modem tonight when we go to bed, and plan to do so every night. It will be inconvenient waiting for everything to power up the next morning, but my goal for the month of December is to lower our useage at least a little. I want to see if we can do it...I thought we would have used less energy, because we only have a 360 sq foot cabin, no central air or heating, no hot water heater on all the time (we have a Tiny Titan) nor a big oven or stovetop or dishwasher, but I'll have to check what the average useage is for most Americans and see if i am up there or not.
We moved the chicks to the chicken tractor tonight. It isn't going to be as cold tonight, and they needed more room. They are growing fast. Speaking of chicks, one of the BABY pigs killed one of my older Buff chicks (she was 3 months old). I could hardly believe that the piglet chomped it and started eating it. I was very SHOCKED! I took it away from her and she fought with me over it. I think she is the one we'll butcher...
I recently purchased six cases of pint jars from an estate sale. They were $5.00. I was very glad to get them. A friend also picked up three cases of quart jars for me at Dollar General. They were 50% off! So, $4.25 a case! I plan to start canning more soups and such so the jars will come in handy ;-)
Sometimes the prices are higher, but I pay them. If I drove into town for the item, I'd have to add the cost of fuel into it, and it'd be the same or higher. Thursday is my errand day and it normally looks like this:
1) Stop by bank and withdraw amount to spend (I don't like to use the card at the stores but pay cash, often I can get a cash discount, especially on fuel purchases at the locally owned oil company (they sell gas about 25 cents cheaper than the gas station, and I get an additional discount when paying cash). We buy our kerosene here also. We use kerosene for our oil lamps, and for the heater when the temps are in the 30s and below. We have the wood stove, but it doesn't heat the back bedroom, and that is the coldest room.
2) Stop by post office
3) Dairy for raw milk, sometimes Farmhouse Cheddar if I haven't made cheese.
4) Meat Market for American Cheese/Mild cheddar. These are in slices for sandwiches. My last hold out that isn't organic because I can't get it local.
5) Poultry farm for a few chickens cut into pieces, instead of whole roasting chickens. (this is normally a once a month expense)
6) Oil company for gas/kerosene
7) Produce Stand or local farm for produce. Today I purchased produce at the local grocery store, which I have been trying to stay out of. I went for one item today, and they have a NEW organic and local produce section. It's small, but I was very excited.
8) Library
9) Local Mexican/Jalisco Bakery for awesome tortillas (sometimes I make my own, but I like to support this baker). and sometimes doughnuts.
We did head into S.A. yesterday to pick up my beef order. I had ordered 25 lbs of organic, grass fed beef from a somewhat local to me (about 50 miles) rancher. He raises Longhorn cattle and sells the beef through the San Antonio RealFoods group.
Lately, I am also interested in reducing our electrical energy consumption. After reviewing our energy consumption for the month I was shocked to see that we used 1286 KWH. I reviewed our history for the year and not surprisngly we use the most during July and August, the two hottest months of the year. But I was happy to see that last year at this time we used 300 MORE kWH than this year. Two things I think are a factor is our new pump (it's smaller, so uses less electricity and we aren't irrigating and filling the pond) 2) it isn't as cold, so we haven't used the little space heater in the bathroom very much. I think we'll keep it off UNLESS someone is bathing. I have the wood stove going now, and the bathroom door open, so the heat can filter into there.
My goal for this month is to lower the kWH usage by 40 kWH. This will be the start. My goal is to cut our useage in half IF possible. We seriously need a solar or wind source of energy to run the well pump. I already hang my laundry out, only using the dryer if something is really needed and it's raining (which isn't often here). I asked everyone to leave the lights off if they are watching t.v., to unplug the laptop when charged, and only plug it in when it needs charging. I'll be turning off the desktop computer and internet modem tonight when we go to bed, and plan to do so every night. It will be inconvenient waiting for everything to power up the next morning, but my goal for the month of December is to lower our useage at least a little. I want to see if we can do it...I thought we would have used less energy, because we only have a 360 sq foot cabin, no central air or heating, no hot water heater on all the time (we have a Tiny Titan) nor a big oven or stovetop or dishwasher, but I'll have to check what the average useage is for most Americans and see if i am up there or not.
We moved the chicks to the chicken tractor tonight. It isn't going to be as cold tonight, and they needed more room. They are growing fast. Speaking of chicks, one of the BABY pigs killed one of my older Buff chicks (she was 3 months old). I could hardly believe that the piglet chomped it and started eating it. I was very SHOCKED! I took it away from her and she fought with me over it. I think she is the one we'll butcher...
I recently purchased six cases of pint jars from an estate sale. They were $5.00. I was very glad to get them. A friend also picked up three cases of quart jars for me at Dollar General. They were 50% off! So, $4.25 a case! I plan to start canning more soups and such so the jars will come in handy ;-)
It's Time for the Give Away!
By putting the names in a hat and having my 2 year (impartial participant) draw a name - the winner is......
Friday, November 25, 2011
Canning Turkey Stew
 | ||
| Apple/Onion Stuffed Turkey |
I've been processing the quarts all day. Nine quarts, 1 pint. I had my first blow out though. After processing the first batch I could clearly smell turkey. I KNEW a jar had broken. Thankfully, it was just the lid. I must not have had it on correctly. I add some water to the rest of the broth in the jar, wiped it really good, and am re-processing it last.
PH put up 14 rafters today. The price of wood is higher, so he wasn't able to get the 28 like he needed. It will have to wait until next weekend.
I've been washing all day, and cleaning up (as much cleaning as you can get in such a small space with no storage). My 2 1/2 year old loves Scooby Doo, and so I have been listening to him watch his few DVDs all day. I keep running him outside to play in the sunshine, but pretty soon I hear the "click click" of the mouse as he puts the DVD in and hits play.. Pretty smart boy!
Here are a few pictures of our holiday and canning:
 |
| Processing the Turkey Stew |
 |
| Turkey Stew |
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cornbread cooling to make the dressing, and peanut butter cookies with a Hershey Kiss |
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Thanksgiving! I wanted to take this time to thank the Lord for His wonderful gift of family, His generous provision and granting me the motivation to learn new skills and to truly listen to His promptings. Whenever I get discouraged I read Proverbs 31, and it reminds me that while others may think we are crazy for the way we live our life, there is a reason. Whether it be economic collapse, social unrest, or the rise of the NWO prior to Christ's return, I am confident He is leading me towards a closer walk with Him, and preparing our family for safety and security in a troubled world.
PH and I have been busy (PKs too). We built a pen to house our beloved Rottie. She is such a good dog, but has unfortunately been led down than a less than righteous path by one of our "pups". Sassy was born to a stray that adopted us named Sophie. Sassy is just like her name. Full of sass, very lovable, BUT an instigator when it comes to the killing of chickens, kittens, chasing horses and attacking goats. She gets Baeta (Rott) so worked up that Baeta, acting outside her character for the past six years, has changed from a trustworthy dog to a livestock killer. We just cannot have her kill our food sources, so she has been relegated to a kennel, and Sassy has found a new home. During the day while the livestock (horses, goats, chickens, pigs, calf) are roaming the pastures she is contained. At night, when the livestock is penned up to keep them safe from coyotoes (and Baeta) we let her out to roam our homestead (along with our Pyr). She is very much a guard dog, having been trained in security and we love Rottweilers. The best dog breed we have ever owned. We are hoping through patience and rehab (and Sassy's absence) that Baeta will once again return to her former trustworthy self. If not, she'll spend her days in a kennel instead of roaming free to protect the homestead.
Today was a very relaxing day. PH attached the brackets for the rafters on the upper roof today. He is preparing to pick up a load of lumber tomorrow, in order to complete the rafters. PD#2 was invited to a friend's for the Thanksgiving meal. My meal was relatively simple to prepare, and I felt no rush or anxiety. I am thankful for my new herbal medications and teas that are allowing me to get plenty of rest, and helps with my stress levels. Last night I washed and set up the roaster, cleaned the kitchen and made a batch of cornbread to use in the cornbread dressing/stuffing. (I grew up saying stuffing, PH's family says dressing). So fancy like ;-)
I went shopping yesterday at Whole Foods to get ingredients for my pie (chocolate cream pie). My mom always made this using Jello pudding and Cool Whip. Because of my healthier eating practices I don't eat Jello but made chocolate pudding, and found an Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten Free (for PD#1) Cool Whip substitute called "Tru Whip". I was skeptical about the taste, but no one could tell a difference! I was very happy. I had the rest of the ingredients for my meal as I had purchased a turkey after last Christmas and it was in the freezer. I put it in the roaster, stuffed the cavity with onions and applies, basted the skin with olive oil and rubbed sage into it. I cooked it on low for 4 hours and it was THE best turkey I've had in awhile. Came out PERFECTO! I also made mashed potatoes with gravy (for me), corn, rolls, sweet/dill pickles, olives, carrots and dressing. Everything either organic or I canned it myself. Even the stock I used in the dressing! I was so proud of myself. I have been preserving more and more food this year, and it has really helped. Our food bill has been cut to pay for lumber, and recently our food animals. It is a sacrifice, and has been very difficult to come up with delicious meals from my food storage. I am really tired of wild meat and goat. I'd love a good steak (sigh). I opted for buying a calf and raising it myself instead of purchasing a small share of beef for the same amount. So, unless PH approves more funds for a side of beef after Christmas, we will be beef-less until the calf is butchered.
My turkey stock is bubbling away. I plan to let it simmer all night, and then will can it tomorrow, as well as, get laundry done.
PH and I are considering purchasing turkey poults after Christmas (in March) to raise to sell and to have for our freezer.
PH is off until Monday, so once he is finished with the rafters, I am hoping we can secure the garden once again, because those darn goats have eaten it ALL. I was able to glean 2 little radishes tonight. PS#2 was tickled pink, as they came out of "his" garden area. I did notice that my leaf lettuce is struggling to come back, along with the pumpkins. Barring a freeze, they should make it IF we get the goats under control.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
PH and I have been busy (PKs too). We built a pen to house our beloved Rottie. She is such a good dog, but has unfortunately been led down than a less than righteous path by one of our "pups". Sassy was born to a stray that adopted us named Sophie. Sassy is just like her name. Full of sass, very lovable, BUT an instigator when it comes to the killing of chickens, kittens, chasing horses and attacking goats. She gets Baeta (Rott) so worked up that Baeta, acting outside her character for the past six years, has changed from a trustworthy dog to a livestock killer. We just cannot have her kill our food sources, so she has been relegated to a kennel, and Sassy has found a new home. During the day while the livestock (horses, goats, chickens, pigs, calf) are roaming the pastures she is contained. At night, when the livestock is penned up to keep them safe from coyotoes (and Baeta) we let her out to roam our homestead (along with our Pyr). She is very much a guard dog, having been trained in security and we love Rottweilers. The best dog breed we have ever owned. We are hoping through patience and rehab (and Sassy's absence) that Baeta will once again return to her former trustworthy self. If not, she'll spend her days in a kennel instead of roaming free to protect the homestead.
Today was a very relaxing day. PH attached the brackets for the rafters on the upper roof today. He is preparing to pick up a load of lumber tomorrow, in order to complete the rafters. PD#2 was invited to a friend's for the Thanksgiving meal. My meal was relatively simple to prepare, and I felt no rush or anxiety. I am thankful for my new herbal medications and teas that are allowing me to get plenty of rest, and helps with my stress levels. Last night I washed and set up the roaster, cleaned the kitchen and made a batch of cornbread to use in the cornbread dressing/stuffing. (I grew up saying stuffing, PH's family says dressing). So fancy like ;-)
I went shopping yesterday at Whole Foods to get ingredients for my pie (chocolate cream pie). My mom always made this using Jello pudding and Cool Whip. Because of my healthier eating practices I don't eat Jello but made chocolate pudding, and found an Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten Free (for PD#1) Cool Whip substitute called "Tru Whip". I was skeptical about the taste, but no one could tell a difference! I was very happy. I had the rest of the ingredients for my meal as I had purchased a turkey after last Christmas and it was in the freezer. I put it in the roaster, stuffed the cavity with onions and applies, basted the skin with olive oil and rubbed sage into it. I cooked it on low for 4 hours and it was THE best turkey I've had in awhile. Came out PERFECTO! I also made mashed potatoes with gravy (for me), corn, rolls, sweet/dill pickles, olives, carrots and dressing. Everything either organic or I canned it myself. Even the stock I used in the dressing! I was so proud of myself. I have been preserving more and more food this year, and it has really helped. Our food bill has been cut to pay for lumber, and recently our food animals. It is a sacrifice, and has been very difficult to come up with delicious meals from my food storage. I am really tired of wild meat and goat. I'd love a good steak (sigh). I opted for buying a calf and raising it myself instead of purchasing a small share of beef for the same amount. So, unless PH approves more funds for a side of beef after Christmas, we will be beef-less until the calf is butchered.
My turkey stock is bubbling away. I plan to let it simmer all night, and then will can it tomorrow, as well as, get laundry done.
PH and I are considering purchasing turkey poults after Christmas (in March) to raise to sell and to have for our freezer.
PH is off until Monday, so once he is finished with the rafters, I am hoping we can secure the garden once again, because those darn goats have eaten it ALL. I was able to glean 2 little radishes tonight. PS#2 was tickled pink, as they came out of "his" garden area. I did notice that my leaf lettuce is struggling to come back, along with the pumpkins. Barring a freeze, they should make it IF we get the goats under control.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Freedom Rangers
We had ordered 25 Freedom Ranger chicks to raise for our first meat bird experiment. They arrived last Thursday AT the post office in a box....
We have been busy shuffling animals around, stacking hay and basically winterizing (for South TX) our little farm. The dogs are now running loose (not desirable, but we need to build a pen for them), the calf and piggies are in the former dog/goat pen. This leaves the goats without shelter from the rain, which is going to make them VERY upset.
I'll have to add more pictures later, Blogger is acting up tonight.
 |
| Chicks in a box |
 | ||||
| Surprise! They are alive! |
 | |||||||
| A few of the chicks - there are 26 in all. |
We have been busy shuffling animals around, stacking hay and basically winterizing (for South TX) our little farm. The dogs are now running loose (not desirable, but we need to build a pen for them), the calf and piggies are in the former dog/goat pen. This leaves the goats without shelter from the rain, which is going to make them VERY upset.
The new chicks are in the chicken tractor in the barn, until tomorrow when we will put them in the girls playhouse with a heat lamp...it is supposed to be in the 30s and 40s the rest of the week, through the weekend.
Our church family met here for a bonfire Friday night. It was really awesome. We are doing discipleship training, working on our relationship(s) with God and each other. It was a wonderful time of sharing our testimonies, child hood memories and other ways that God has validated our walk with Him. Really touching and inspirational.
Our congregation is also helping a homeless family. Please be in prayer for this family of five (two parents and three kids). We are working on housing for them, and one of our member's has offered the husband a job in their company. Another family we know will be hosting them for Thanksgiving. It is really great to be able to help. I believe this marks the distinction between Christians and non-Christians. Christians will help even when we ourselves don't have much. I am sure some non-Christians would, as there are some basically "good" people, but many will just pass the needy by. I am thankful to be able to be in a position to do what I can, as are others in our group.
We had our first Homeschool Market Days this past weekend also. The PDs worked hard on their items for sell for two solid weeks. They showed a remarkable work ethic, and I am very proud of them.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Our Weekend in Pictures
Picking up Pecans with Big Brother
PS#2 picking up MORE pecans
 |
| PS#2 opening the gate for Mama |
Back view of house - ready for rafters
Pretty good for a pay as you go plan
Chicken coop with new chicken yard behind
(you can barely see the wire fencing I put up around the trees)
 |
| Chickens in their new yard |
Gate with sticks woven in the wire to make openings smaler
 |
| New back door to coop so chicks can get inside at night We are putting a hinge on the little door so we can shut it at night |
Feeding the horses - our nightly routine
This is Selena our Quarab
More pictures to come later!
More pictures to come later!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Chickens, Pigs and Cows - Oh My!
We had three of our chicks killed by our dog. I was so sad! They made it to 2 months old without casualty, but I let them out to free range in front of the barn a little, and they went into the dog kennel - dumb birds!
We lost 2 Americaunas, and 1 Buff Orpington. We are now down to 19 birds ( 8 Americaunas, 9 Buffs, and the 2 chicks we hatched from the incubator, and they are 10 weeks old and MEAN! They are part Buff and part Banty, and did I mention MEAN! They will rush the fence and try to fight and peck. They must be roosters!
I'll be working on cleaning out the coop this weekend, and hopefully getting the wire fencing up for the new chicken yard. Once that is done, the "plan" is to order 25 Freedom Ranger (meat birds). These will be in a brooder for a couple of weeks, and out in the tractor during the nice part of the day. I'd love a chick room, like a friend of mine has...basically a permanent chicken nursery. Some day (sigh).
We pick up our calf next Saturday. He will be 6 weeks old by then. I believe we will still have to bottle feed him. I am not looking forward to that task.
We will also be getting our piglet soon. I must work on the pen for it. Not sure if it is a boy or girl yet.
This week has been busy. We have been in a flurry of activity from schoolwork to errands to stacking wood. We had really cold temperatures this week from 35-41. We used the wood stove each evening so far, and had to use the kerosene heater last night as it dipped into the 30's. Wow! It's only early November. This does not bode well for the Winter.
I managed to can my chicken stock this week. I will have more to do because my anniversary gift (beautiful Americauna rooster) went to chicken hell this week, and his carcass is in the freezer. He attacked my 2 year old one too many times and PH had to blast him one. PS#2 was very shaken, and is still wary of walking in the yard. He hightails it for the nearest person when he sees the hens. I've given him the job of tossing feed to the hens, so maybe he'll get over the trauma.
House progress is still ongoing, and I am getting very excited. I can hardly stand myself!
We lost 2 Americaunas, and 1 Buff Orpington. We are now down to 19 birds ( 8 Americaunas, 9 Buffs, and the 2 chicks we hatched from the incubator, and they are 10 weeks old and MEAN! They are part Buff and part Banty, and did I mention MEAN! They will rush the fence and try to fight and peck. They must be roosters!
I'll be working on cleaning out the coop this weekend, and hopefully getting the wire fencing up for the new chicken yard. Once that is done, the "plan" is to order 25 Freedom Ranger (meat birds). These will be in a brooder for a couple of weeks, and out in the tractor during the nice part of the day. I'd love a chick room, like a friend of mine has...basically a permanent chicken nursery. Some day (sigh).
We pick up our calf next Saturday. He will be 6 weeks old by then. I believe we will still have to bottle feed him. I am not looking forward to that task.
We will also be getting our piglet soon. I must work on the pen for it. Not sure if it is a boy or girl yet.
This week has been busy. We have been in a flurry of activity from schoolwork to errands to stacking wood. We had really cold temperatures this week from 35-41. We used the wood stove each evening so far, and had to use the kerosene heater last night as it dipped into the 30's. Wow! It's only early November. This does not bode well for the Winter.
I managed to can my chicken stock this week. I will have more to do because my anniversary gift (beautiful Americauna rooster) went to chicken hell this week, and his carcass is in the freezer. He attacked my 2 year old one too many times and PH had to blast him one. PS#2 was very shaken, and is still wary of walking in the yard. He hightails it for the nearest person when he sees the hens. I've given him the job of tossing feed to the hens, so maybe he'll get over the trauma.
House progress is still ongoing, and I am getting very excited. I can hardly stand myself!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
House Update and Beef Soup
Well, I had my entire post with pictures done, and the satellite went out, then blogger wouldn't respond (sigh).
PH has been working on the house construction the past few days, after a break. We had to save up a bit before getting the next load of lumber. Here are some pictures showing the progress that has been made. The second floor is laid, and now the four foot back wall is going in, along with the side and front walls. The opening for the stairs has also been cut.
South Side (PD#2's future bedroom)
PH has been working on the house construction the past few days, after a break. We had to save up a bit before getting the next load of lumber. Here are some pictures showing the progress that has been made. The second floor is laid, and now the four foot back wall is going in, along with the side and front walls. The opening for the stairs has also been cut.
West Wall - Left
West Wall - Center and Right Side
South Side (PD#2's future bedroom)
Front Wall portion of bedroom
(dormer windows will go in the top part,
with the roof for the downstairs coming out mid way from the wall)
Another View
View of the future staircase opening
We've been staying home and working on winter preparations. Cutting and stacking more wood, breaking out the blankets and washing them, taking an inventory of food stores, plus making a list of what I need to stock up on. It's a long list. When you start using your pantry/stored items exclusively, pretty soon it becomes depleted. We haven't had money to stock up, it has all been going to the house. The next few weeks, we'll have to remedy the situation though.
Here is a recipe I made tonight out of foods we had on hand. It is for our church fellowship lunch tomorrow afternoon. I made a double batch and we had some tonight.
Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Soup)
CALDO DE RES
2 pounds organic, grass fed beef BONES
1 pound organic stew beef, cut in small pieces
1/4 cup of olive oil
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 onions, chopped
1 quart of diced or stewed tomatoes
6 cups beef broth
8 cups water
1 bag of organic baby carrots
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or dried parsley
2 tsp oregano, crushed
4 potatoes, quartered
4 ears corn, cut into thirds
1 medium head cabbage, cored and cut in (optional)
1 pound organic stew beef, cut in small pieces
1/4 cup of olive oil
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 onions, chopped
1 quart of diced or stewed tomatoes
6 cups beef broth
8 cups water
1 bag of organic baby carrots
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or dried parsley
2 tsp oregano, crushed
4 potatoes, quartered
4 ears corn, cut into thirds
1 medium head cabbage, cored and cut in (optional)
Directions
1. Add oil to a heavy soup pot and heat over medium-high heat until very hot. Make sure to tilt the pan to coat the bottom.
2. Add the meat and bones, and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until thoroughly browned.
3. Add onions, and cook until onion is also lightly browned.
2. Add the meat and bones, and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until thoroughly browned.
3. Add onions, and cook until onion is also lightly browned.
4. Stir in the tomatoes and broth. The liquid should cover the bones by 1/2 inch.
5. If not, add enough water to compensate.
6. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 hours with the lid on loosely.
7. If meat is not tender, continue cooking for another 10 minutes or so.
8. Pour in the water, and return to a simmer.
9. Add the carrots and cilantro (or parsley and oregano), and cook for 10 minutes, then stir in the potatoes and corn. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
10. If using the cabbage, push the cabbage wedges into the soup, and cook for about 10 more minutes.
11. Ladle soup into large bowls, including meat vegetables and bones.
11. Ladle soup into large bowls, including meat vegetables and bones.
12. Garnish with jalapenos, minced onion, additional cilantro, and squeeze lime juice over all, and serve with radishes (if desired) or corn tortilla chips.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Sitting here by the wood stove. A cold front literally blew in around 6 pm tonight. I was at the barn putting up the baby chickens (about 2 months old). It was pretty warm, about 83. The wind started blowing and I felt cold air. It was amazing how the weather could change so fast! It is supposed to get down to 49 tonight. Not too cold, but cold is magnified in a metal storage container.
The wood stove is banked for the night, and putting out a good steady heat with the oak we are using. Good wood, I won't be up all night trying to keep the place warm, I hope.
Our banty rooster, Napoleon noticed the baby chicks for the first time today. I've been letting them out of the chicken tractor to free range for a bit in the afternoon. They don't "range" far. They primarily stay in the barn, or right outside the door where they can rush back in...Napoleon started preening and dancing in circles around them. This so startled my innocent little ladies, that they ran flustered back into the chicken tractor. Napoleon seemed so happy to have ladies his size, though they are way too young for his attentions.
Our Americauna rooster was interested in the ladies, but immediately tried to get down to business, jumped on one of them, and was squashing her. He is huge, and she's kind of small (banty size still). I want to separate them, the Buffs with one rooster, and the Americauna hens with the Americauna rooster. But we'll see..
time for bed, I'll add more later, it's getting late and my eyes are crossing. LOL
The wood stove is banked for the night, and putting out a good steady heat with the oak we are using. Good wood, I won't be up all night trying to keep the place warm, I hope.
Our banty rooster, Napoleon noticed the baby chicks for the first time today. I've been letting them out of the chicken tractor to free range for a bit in the afternoon. They don't "range" far. They primarily stay in the barn, or right outside the door where they can rush back in...Napoleon started preening and dancing in circles around them. This so startled my innocent little ladies, that they ran flustered back into the chicken tractor. Napoleon seemed so happy to have ladies his size, though they are way too young for his attentions.
Our Americauna rooster was interested in the ladies, but immediately tried to get down to business, jumped on one of them, and was squashing her. He is huge, and she's kind of small (banty size still). I want to separate them, the Buffs with one rooster, and the Americauna hens with the Americauna rooster. But we'll see..
time for bed, I'll add more later, it's getting late and my eyes are crossing. LOL
Friday, October 21, 2011
What did we do this week?
Well, we've all been sick (which is unusual for us) this week. I started with it, but thought at first it was prompted by the cooler temps and rain. Nope, not allergy related, because we all have the same thing! Sore throats, itchy eyes, drainage, congestion, tiredness and general ick.
I've been doctoring everyone with GSE in juice, Echinacea Goldenbiotic tincture in juice (this is vile stuff), also Vitamin C, Kid's Defense tincture (echinacea, elder flowers and a few other immunity boosting herbs), plus Motrin and/or Benadryl at night to help them sleep.
I made a chicken broth from organic stock, cooked it with onions, garlic, red pepper and carrots. Strained off the solids and had them drink the broth this afternoon. It's pretty spicy, but it is very nutritional and healthy.
Worked in the garden more this week. Watering and moving seedlings. Lots of volunteers. Must be seeds from the earlier garden that never germinated. After our big rain, NOW they want to grow.
I made another large bucket of laundry soap. With cloth diapers, and potty training underwear, I sure do have a lot of laundry to do. We have too much clothing and such. I'd love to get rid of half of it, but I know it won't happen. PH is a big clothes horse. He has WAY too many jeans (over 20), and too many shirts. Yes, he wears them to work, but washing and hanging on the clothesline is very tiring.
We are moving on in changing our eating habits. I am trying to not overwhelm ourselves by changing everything at once. I'll be glad once the fall garden starts producing it will help us eat even healthier. We are cutting out processed foods (as much as possible). I am sure PH and the kids will sneak things every now and then, but I am not buying the pop tarts, chips, cereals, etc. anymore. Food prices are way high, and I can't justify spending money on those things, when I need to replenish our pantry with basics (flour, sugar, etc.,)
I also made homemade toothpaste tonight. A little oily for my taste (used coconut oil). I think it might need a tad more baking soda. I'll mess with it on Saturday afternoon, and see if I can make it work for me. I brushed my teeth with it, and they feel great. I should have brushed with the Oregano Oil first, then the toothpaste, but I forgot...
Tomorrow is a full day of splitting wood, PH working on the second floor of the house we are building, and I have a full baking load to do (bread, doughnuts, cake, cookies).
I've been doctoring everyone with GSE in juice, Echinacea Goldenbiotic tincture in juice (this is vile stuff), also Vitamin C, Kid's Defense tincture (echinacea, elder flowers and a few other immunity boosting herbs), plus Motrin and/or Benadryl at night to help them sleep.
I made a chicken broth from organic stock, cooked it with onions, garlic, red pepper and carrots. Strained off the solids and had them drink the broth this afternoon. It's pretty spicy, but it is very nutritional and healthy.
Worked in the garden more this week. Watering and moving seedlings. Lots of volunteers. Must be seeds from the earlier garden that never germinated. After our big rain, NOW they want to grow.
I made another large bucket of laundry soap. With cloth diapers, and potty training underwear, I sure do have a lot of laundry to do. We have too much clothing and such. I'd love to get rid of half of it, but I know it won't happen. PH is a big clothes horse. He has WAY too many jeans (over 20), and too many shirts. Yes, he wears them to work, but washing and hanging on the clothesline is very tiring.
We are moving on in changing our eating habits. I am trying to not overwhelm ourselves by changing everything at once. I'll be glad once the fall garden starts producing it will help us eat even healthier. We are cutting out processed foods (as much as possible). I am sure PH and the kids will sneak things every now and then, but I am not buying the pop tarts, chips, cereals, etc. anymore. Food prices are way high, and I can't justify spending money on those things, when I need to replenish our pantry with basics (flour, sugar, etc.,)
I also made homemade toothpaste tonight. A little oily for my taste (used coconut oil). I think it might need a tad more baking soda. I'll mess with it on Saturday afternoon, and see if I can make it work for me. I brushed my teeth with it, and they feel great. I should have brushed with the Oregano Oil first, then the toothpaste, but I forgot...
Tomorrow is a full day of splitting wood, PH working on the second floor of the house we are building, and I have a full baking load to do (bread, doughnuts, cake, cookies).
Recipes
Traditional White Bread
6 to 7 cups all purpose flour (organic white, 1/2 and 1/2 white/whole wheat, gluten free all purpose flour)
3 tablespoons sugar (I use honey, regular sugar or raw sugar)
1 tablespoon salt (sea salt or regular)
3 tablespoon oil (shortening, vegetable oil, lard or olive oil - I use olive oil)
2 tablespoons of yeast
2 1/4 cups very warm water
Mix 3 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt and oil and yeast in large bowl. Add warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes or until yeast is foamy. (Make sure it is not too cold in the house, or it may not foam). Mix completely. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surace and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place until double, 40 to 60 minutes. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.)
Punch down dough. If using traditional size bread pans, divide dough in half. If using 10-12 inch long pan DO NOT DIVIDE. Let rest 5 minutes. At this time I normally place dough mass in pan tucking it in to fit. There are various methods on working with the dough, but this has worked better for me.
Let rise until double, 35 to 50 minutes. Often I make it before bed and let it rise overnight. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top so it won't dry out.
Heat oven to 425, place bread on low rack and bake until golden brown about 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove from bread pan IMMEDIATELY and let cool on a rack. If the bottom of the bread isn't raised and air can cool it, it will get soggy wet, and then once it dries it is tough.
TORTILLAS
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/flourtortillas.htm
DOUGHNUTS
looking for my recipe, this is for a cake doughnut not a yeast doughnut with icing.
For that recipe here is the recipe I use:
http://www.paratusfamiliablog.com/2010/09/better-than-crispy-creams-doughnuts.html
FRENCH BREAD
1 tablespoon yeast
1 1/4 cupswarm water
1 tablespoon raw sugar or regular sugar
2 teaspoons salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour (your choice)
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 egg white
2 tablespoons cold water
Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in sugar, salt and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth, stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle (dough will be soft).
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead unitl smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn greased side up. Cover and let rise at room temperature (about 70 degrees) until slightly more than double. , 1 1/2 to 2 hours (longer rising gives tyical French bread texture).
Punch down dough; cover and let rest 15 minutes. Grease cookie sheet; sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough into halves (if you have french bread pans or want to make two long loaves). Roll each half into a rectangle (15 X 10 inches), roll up tightly, beginning at 15 inch side. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal well. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends. Place both loaves length wise on cookie sheet. Make 1/4 inch deep slashes across loaves at 2 inch intervals or make 1 lengthwise slash on each loaf. I don't make long loaves, I make one big round "baguette". I use a 9 inch cake pan to place the dough in and let it rise. Slash three slashes across the top. Brush bread with cold water, after you decide on a shape. Let rise uncovered until slightly more than double, about 1 1/2 hours.
Heat oven to 375. pour 1 cup hot water into rectangular pan. place pan on lowest oven rack. Brush loaves with cold water. Bake 20 minutes. Remove pan of water from oven. Mix egg white and 2 tablespoons cold water; brush over loaves. Bake until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes longer. DO NOT USE SELF RISING FLOUR.
DROP BISCUITS
1 cup of all purpose flour
1 cup of whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of honey
½ cup of coconut oil {any oil will work}
1 cup of milk
Begin by preheating the oven to 475 F. Then grease a cookie sheet with oil {we like to
use coconut oil.} Combine flour, baking powder, salt, honey, and oil, in a large
mixing bowl. Be sure to fulling incorporate the oil {if you decide to use butter
be sure to cut it into the dry mixture well.} Slowly add the milk to the dry
mixture, mixing as you pour. The batter that should form will have a sticky,
wet, and slightly-’gooey’ consistency. Take a spoon and drop ¼ cup sized balls
of batter onto the pre-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until
golden brown.
BAKING POWDER BISCUITS
1/2 cup shortening (I use veg oil)
2 cups all purpose flour (or gluten free flour)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 10 times. Roll or pat 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 1/2 inch round cutter (a large mouth canning jar is what I use). Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart for crusty sides, touching for soft sides. Bake until golden brown 10-12 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet (I use a round cake pan or two).
I also use this recipe to make dumplings for chicken and dumplings. I pat it out flour and using a knife I cut small squares to drop into the hot broth.
HAMBURGER/HOT DOG BUNS
This is my friend Brenda's blog. I use her hamburger bun recipe. You can use the same recipe to make hot dog buns, just make them the proper shape, and follow rising/cooking directions for the hamburger buns.
http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/touch-down-oh-yeah.html
TURKEY STOCK
Remove all large pieces of meat from turkey and put to the side. Break turkey up in small pieces ( make sure it is cooled first). Place in stock part or large roaster. Fill with filtered water (DO NOT USE CHLORINATED OR TAP WATER UNLESS FILTERED FIRST) almost to the top. Place lid on roaster/pot and allow to simmer on low for about 12 hours (I did mine overnight while I was in bed).
Strain broth/stock using a large pot and colander. Set broth to the side. Allow bones and meat bits to cool to the touch. Sort through and make a small pile of bones (to throw away), a pile of useable meat, and a pile of the "yuckies" (slimy stuff, skinn, giblets). The yuckies I gave to my dogs as a treat. The bones I threw away, and the useable meat will be used to make soup/stew.
************************************************
TURKEY STEW
10 quarts of turkey stock (made with your leftover Turkey) - you can add a small amount of water to even out the amount.
2 pints of green beans
2 pints of corn
2 TBSP Parsley
1 TBSP salt (or to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
2 tsp Sage
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup dried onions or one small fresh, chopped
All the reserved turkey meat
Place all ingredients in stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes (covered).
Ladle into hot quart (or pint) jars and process in a pressure canner for 1 hour and 30 minutes (for quarts) at 15 lbs of pressure. If you decide to use pints, please check your copy of the Ball canning book for the proper pressure and time
6 to 7 cups all purpose flour (organic white, 1/2 and 1/2 white/whole wheat, gluten free all purpose flour)
3 tablespoons sugar (I use honey, regular sugar or raw sugar)
1 tablespoon salt (sea salt or regular)
3 tablespoon oil (shortening, vegetable oil, lard or olive oil - I use olive oil)
2 tablespoons of yeast
2 1/4 cups very warm water
Mix 3 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt and oil and yeast in large bowl. Add warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes or until yeast is foamy. (Make sure it is not too cold in the house, or it may not foam). Mix completely. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surace and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place until double, 40 to 60 minutes. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.)
Punch down dough. If using traditional size bread pans, divide dough in half. If using 10-12 inch long pan DO NOT DIVIDE. Let rest 5 minutes. At this time I normally place dough mass in pan tucking it in to fit. There are various methods on working with the dough, but this has worked better for me.
Let rise until double, 35 to 50 minutes. Often I make it before bed and let it rise overnight. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top so it won't dry out.
Heat oven to 425, place bread on low rack and bake until golden brown about 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove from bread pan IMMEDIATELY and let cool on a rack. If the bottom of the bread isn't raised and air can cool it, it will get soggy wet, and then once it dries it is tough.
TORTILLAS
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/flourtortillas.htm
DOUGHNUTS
looking for my recipe, this is for a cake doughnut not a yeast doughnut with icing.
For that recipe here is the recipe I use:
http://www.paratusfamiliablog.com/2010/09/better-than-crispy-creams-doughnuts.html
FRENCH BREAD
1 tablespoon yeast
1 1/4 cupswarm water
1 tablespoon raw sugar or regular sugar
2 teaspoons salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour (your choice)
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 egg white
2 tablespoons cold water
Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in sugar, salt and 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth, stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle (dough will be soft).
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead unitl smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn greased side up. Cover and let rise at room temperature (about 70 degrees) until slightly more than double. , 1 1/2 to 2 hours (longer rising gives tyical French bread texture).
Punch down dough; cover and let rest 15 minutes. Grease cookie sheet; sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough into halves (if you have french bread pans or want to make two long loaves). Roll each half into a rectangle (15 X 10 inches), roll up tightly, beginning at 15 inch side. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal well. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends. Place both loaves length wise on cookie sheet. Make 1/4 inch deep slashes across loaves at 2 inch intervals or make 1 lengthwise slash on each loaf. I don't make long loaves, I make one big round "baguette". I use a 9 inch cake pan to place the dough in and let it rise. Slash three slashes across the top. Brush bread with cold water, after you decide on a shape. Let rise uncovered until slightly more than double, about 1 1/2 hours.
Heat oven to 375. pour 1 cup hot water into rectangular pan. place pan on lowest oven rack. Brush loaves with cold water. Bake 20 minutes. Remove pan of water from oven. Mix egg white and 2 tablespoons cold water; brush over loaves. Bake until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes longer. DO NOT USE SELF RISING FLOUR.
DROP BISCUITS
use coconut oil.} Combine flour, baking powder, salt, honey, and oil, in a large
mixing bowl. Be sure to fulling incorporate the oil {if you decide to use butter
be sure to cut it into the dry mixture well.} Slowly add the milk to the dry
mixture, mixing as you pour. The batter that should form will have a sticky,
wet, and slightly-’gooey’ consistency. Take a spoon and drop ¼ cup sized balls
of batter onto the pre-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until
golden brown.
BAKING POWDER BISCUITS
1/2 cup shortening (I use veg oil)
2 cups all purpose flour (or gluten free flour)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 10 times. Roll or pat 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 1/2 inch round cutter (a large mouth canning jar is what I use). Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart for crusty sides, touching for soft sides. Bake until golden brown 10-12 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet (I use a round cake pan or two).
I also use this recipe to make dumplings for chicken and dumplings. I pat it out flour and using a knife I cut small squares to drop into the hot broth.
HAMBURGER/HOT DOG BUNS
This is my friend Brenda's blog. I use her hamburger bun recipe. You can use the same recipe to make hot dog buns, just make them the proper shape, and follow rising/cooking directions for the hamburger buns.
http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/touch-down-oh-yeah.html
TURKEY STOCK
Remove all large pieces of meat from turkey and put to the side. Break turkey up in small pieces ( make sure it is cooled first). Place in stock part or large roaster. Fill with filtered water (DO NOT USE CHLORINATED OR TAP WATER UNLESS FILTERED FIRST) almost to the top. Place lid on roaster/pot and allow to simmer on low for about 12 hours (I did mine overnight while I was in bed).
Strain broth/stock using a large pot and colander. Set broth to the side. Allow bones and meat bits to cool to the touch. Sort through and make a small pile of bones (to throw away), a pile of useable meat, and a pile of the "yuckies" (slimy stuff, skinn, giblets). The yuckies I gave to my dogs as a treat. The bones I threw away, and the useable meat will be used to make soup/stew.
************************************************
TURKEY STEW
10 quarts of turkey stock (made with your leftover Turkey) - you can add a small amount of water to even out the amount.
2 pints of green beans
2 pints of corn
2 TBSP Parsley
1 TBSP salt (or to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
2 tsp Sage
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup dried onions or one small fresh, chopped
All the reserved turkey meat
Place all ingredients in stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes (covered).
Ladle into hot quart (or pint) jars and process in a pressure canner for 1 hour and 30 minutes (for quarts) at 15 lbs of pressure. If you decide to use pints, please check your copy of the Ball canning book for the proper pressure and time
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Garden has Sprouted!
Yeah! The seeds we planted last week have sprouted! Primarily, the broccoli, carrots and radishes. None of the lettuce yet. Also the pumpkins in the long row have come up, and the onions are looking good (even though, the tops have been eaten twice by the goats). Now to keep the critters out of the garden. I may have some hope to get another crop harvested. The one we planted in late August didn't even sprout. Too hot, probably, but I think planting after such a heavy rain helped tremendously. Our day temps are still in the high 80s with night time temps being in the 50's. We are scheduled for the high 40's this next week, but the plants should be fine. My peach tree has even sprouted a few new leaves. I had thought we had lost it after the drought, and the goats stripping it clean.
I've been sick, and I was hoping the sore throat would go away on it's own, but it didn't. So Friday, I started taking one of my herbal remedies that I COMPLETELY trust in and that has worked for me for years. It is a tincture, Echinacea Goldenbiotic (a combination of Echinancea and Goldenseal - two good herbs for infections. A really good herbal antibiotic. I usually put 20 drops (about a dropperful) in a medicine cup (the kind that comes on top of the kid's Motrin), then top it off with orange juice or cranberry-grape juice. I take it like a shot of alcohol (not that I've ever done shots, but I've seen it on t.v.). It's FOUL. Here it is Sunday night, and my sore throat and most of the congestion is gone. I'll keep taking it for several more days. (NOTE: This is not something I am telling anyone to do, I am not a doctor, but an herbalist. Please do not try anything you read here because I shared with you what I do. You need to make medical decisions on your own.)
I've been sick, and I was hoping the sore throat would go away on it's own, but it didn't. So Friday, I started taking one of my herbal remedies that I COMPLETELY trust in and that has worked for me for years. It is a tincture, Echinacea Goldenbiotic (a combination of Echinancea and Goldenseal - two good herbs for infections. A really good herbal antibiotic. I usually put 20 drops (about a dropperful) in a medicine cup (the kind that comes on top of the kid's Motrin), then top it off with orange juice or cranberry-grape juice. I take it like a shot of alcohol (not that I've ever done shots, but I've seen it on t.v.). It's FOUL. Here it is Sunday night, and my sore throat and most of the congestion is gone. I'll keep taking it for several more days. (NOTE: This is not something I am telling anyone to do, I am not a doctor, but an herbalist. Please do not try anything you read here because I shared with you what I do. You need to make medical decisions on your own.)
Friday, October 14, 2011
It's amazing. It's been 5 days since it rained, and the ground is still damp! It's so strange to not have the water evaporated. After such a brutally hot summer, the weather has cooled down. We have only reached the high 80s and low 90s lately, with low to mid 50s at night. Last night I put one of the oak blocks the PH brought home (we have two cords of these) in the woodstove. They are SO dense! It lasted ALL night. There was still about 1/4 left at 8 am! This is wood is so awesome.
We planted our fall garden. PS#1 came over earlier this week, and helped to get the beds outlined using some scavenged timbers.
We planted iceberg lettuce, leaf lettuce, carrots, broccoli, radishes, onions, and pumpkins. PD#1 has started seeds in her place house, it's like a mini greenhouse in there. She has little pots lined up in front of the window, and had planted lavendar, marigold, Echinacea, Mint and Catnip. She is documenting germination time and recording in a notebook. She is doing this all on her own. I think it's a good idea. We'll call this Science/Botany ;-)
We were able to purchase more plywood, and will have the second floor completely decked this weekend. After that the upstairs walls, then the roof ;-)
PH will also be picking up more downed trees from his father's place in the morning. He'll bring them back to cut and split into stove lengths. Yeah! FOUR trees worth of firewood. The trees are about 12 feet long (each) and bigger around than I can reach, so that will get us a good wood supply.
This weekend we will be working on our Sukkot booth, and learning more about the biblical holiday. We'll also be winterizing more, as temps in the 40's are expected this next week. That's COLD for South TX, and COLD for a metal building. We'll be ready.
Also on the agenda will be doctoring myself with the Echinacea Goldenbiotic Tincture, tea with honey, and DE mixed in water for the joint pain.
More apple jelly is also on the "list", as well as, laundry, watering the garden, and canning more greenbeans and corn.
The grass is turning so GREEN since we had the rain on Sunday! I am beyond excited. The horses seem to be happy too. It's amazing what 7 inches of rain will do. Here it is October and the trees are finally getting more leaves, the grass is green and everything is JUST beautiful. I wish the weather could be like this all year round (sigh).
Our congregation is also working hard on food storage preparations, and working out details for many aspects of church growth, and general preparedness. This makes me so happy, as I have been trying to get them on board for five years. It's baby steps, but I'll take it!
Next Up: Random Pictures
PD#2's Math Lesson
PS#2 Giggling
PD#2 Holding Duke and Posing All Serious Like
Plaque in my kitchen
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Cooler Weather and LOTS of rain!
We had a MASSIVE storm center that came through last night/early a.m. It began raining about midnight and didn't stop until 10 a.m. The thunder and lightening were horrific, and the NOISE! You haven't lived through a storm like this until you've lived in a metal storage container. It was impossible to sleep, so we were all dragging this morning. It was so dark and dreary in here, I neglected to get up, thinking it was early still, and was late for church. The creekbed was flooded anyway, and even going over the bridge to avoid it wouldn't have done any good. The upper part of the driveway was flooded too, no way around. We received AT LEAST 7 inches. The rain gauge was full, and it was still raining. PD#1 dumped it out, but it stopped raining shortly thereafter.
I was worried about the baby chicks all night. They were in their chicken tractor right outside the door, covered with two tarps. I had no idea the storm was going to be that bad, but the ground was flooded. They were soaking wet this morning, I felt so bad for them. We put the chicken tractor in the barn, on a nice bed of warm hay. They are nice and snug in the barn now, and should do fine.
I made spaghetti last night using our wild hog sausage and the tomato sauce I canned. It was pretty good. PH liked it, so it is "good to go" to make it again. I also made a big batch of laundry soap. It seems no matter how much I wash, I always have more. I'd love to get rid of all these clothes, but it doesn't seem possible (sigh).
Feeling sick with a sore throat and earache. Drank some Echinacea Tea tonight, and if I don't feel better tomorrow, I'll take some more herbs.
It was pretty chilly inside tonight, so I lit a fire in the woodstove. Unfortunately, it has died out and my feet are still cold. Finished watching my nightly episode of JERICHO, and so am off to bed.
PH sharpened his chainsaw. He will be getting ready to go over to his parents to cut firewood. We have plenty for this year, but his dad had several trees that were cut down. They are live oak so will be great for our woodstove.
I was worried about the baby chicks all night. They were in their chicken tractor right outside the door, covered with two tarps. I had no idea the storm was going to be that bad, but the ground was flooded. They were soaking wet this morning, I felt so bad for them. We put the chicken tractor in the barn, on a nice bed of warm hay. They are nice and snug in the barn now, and should do fine.
I made spaghetti last night using our wild hog sausage and the tomato sauce I canned. It was pretty good. PH liked it, so it is "good to go" to make it again. I also made a big batch of laundry soap. It seems no matter how much I wash, I always have more. I'd love to get rid of all these clothes, but it doesn't seem possible (sigh).
Feeling sick with a sore throat and earache. Drank some Echinacea Tea tonight, and if I don't feel better tomorrow, I'll take some more herbs.
It was pretty chilly inside tonight, so I lit a fire in the woodstove. Unfortunately, it has died out and my feet are still cold. Finished watching my nightly episode of JERICHO, and so am off to bed.
PH sharpened his chainsaw. He will be getting ready to go over to his parents to cut firewood. We have plenty for this year, but his dad had several trees that were cut down. They are live oak so will be great for our woodstove.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Autumn preparations
Monday: Pick up all trash around land, declutter living room, clean off "hot spots" from woodstove, bring in wood, wash sheets, break out blankets for beds, sweep floors, organize bookshelves, trash in truck to go to dumpster
Tuesday: Clean out wash house, throw out old toys and trash, clean out fridge, organize kitchen, clean oil lamps and fill with new kerosene, buy candles and batteries
Wednesday: Clean loft, go through clothes and take out too small, torn, stained; clean bedroom, heater in bathroom
Thursday: Clean up playground, put pool away, move chicken tractor, cover with tarps
Friday: Errands, wash jackets, get down tubs of winter clothes (wait until cold weather)
Saturday: Clean up gazebo area, clean out animal pens, restack hay in barn, clean barn, sprinkle DE in pens and chicken coop, clean chicken coop, organize bridles/lead ropes, etc. Weatherize animal pens (dog house, hay bales, lean to); scrub water trough, clean feed bowls; make apple jelly, bake bread
Sunday: REST
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Drought, A Little Rain, and more House Building
It's pretty dismal news. According to climatologists, TEXAS will remain in drought conditions for 5-15 years! I am so devastated, and have been praying for rain, and really speaking to God about his plans and intentions for us.
We did receive 2 inches last week, but we need at least 15 to get out of drought status. After checking my farm journal, I noticed that the past 3 years we received substantial rainfall, between 7 and 9.5 inches each September. We didn't even receive 4 inches this year. Our well has dropped over 40 feet, the grass is dead, and our garden didn't do very well at all.
This week we've been busy preparing the cabin, barn and land for cooler temperatures. We don't normally get too harsh a Winter, but my farm journal shows extremely cold temps around November, instead of just in February like the past 20 years. We took the week from lessons for the girls to go through their clothing, clean their loft room, make their beds up, clean the woodstove, declutter, bring in wood, and get the place cleaned for a prolonged time inside. It will start to get darker sooner, so that will force us inside, as living in the country means it's PITCH BLACK without lights.
PH has been diligently working on the house, though I believe sometimes the stress is getting to him, and I know he is overwhelmed building it basically by himself. PDs and I give him what help we can, but it's basically all on him.
Here are a few pictures:
Went to the LDS Cannery again. I am not an LDS member, but I appreciate their allowing me access to their Home Storage Center. I am able to get #10 cans of a variety of foodstuffs for CHEAP. I have been paying three times as much ordering through Shelf Reliance, though I really like Shelf Reliance also. But money is money, and food is food.
I ordered sugar, oats and hot cocoa mix from them. Came home and promptly made cocoa. PS#2, an avid Starbucks fan at 2 1/2, loves their Hot Chocolate. He was STOKED to find out I had a big can of it. He drank two sippy cups FULL of HOT cocoa. He LOVES HOT tea and cocoa. The heat has never really bothered him, which I find odd. A few members of my congregation also ordered through me, I packed and picked up their items, and will distribute on Sunday.
My baby chicks are growing so fast, and are doing great in the chicken tractor PH made for them. As soon as, they are big enough to go in the big coop, I'll order my meat chickens to raise for butchering. A friend also told me tonight about a baby piglet for sale for $20. We plan to get it, and raise it to butcher. PH wasn't too excited about a pet pig, until I told him I didn't want a pet pig, I wanted it for FOOD. He okayed it then, so I contacted my friend right away. I ams so excited!
All the canning I did early in the summer, has unfortunately not been enough. I have been needing to eat out of my food stores, and it isn't lasting as long as I wanted. Darn...I'll need to plant more next year, since my Fall garden isn't panning out. The stupid goats won't stay out of the garden. NONE of my pumpkins made it. I was looking forward to canning the pumpkin. Nuts!
Time to watch Jericho (again).
We did receive 2 inches last week, but we need at least 15 to get out of drought status. After checking my farm journal, I noticed that the past 3 years we received substantial rainfall, between 7 and 9.5 inches each September. We didn't even receive 4 inches this year. Our well has dropped over 40 feet, the grass is dead, and our garden didn't do very well at all.
This week we've been busy preparing the cabin, barn and land for cooler temperatures. We don't normally get too harsh a Winter, but my farm journal shows extremely cold temps around November, instead of just in February like the past 20 years. We took the week from lessons for the girls to go through their clothing, clean their loft room, make their beds up, clean the woodstove, declutter, bring in wood, and get the place cleaned for a prolonged time inside. It will start to get darker sooner, so that will force us inside, as living in the country means it's PITCH BLACK without lights.
PH has been diligently working on the house, though I believe sometimes the stress is getting to him, and I know he is overwhelmed building it basically by himself. PDs and I give him what help we can, but it's basically all on him.
Here are a few pictures:
Went to the LDS Cannery again. I am not an LDS member, but I appreciate their allowing me access to their Home Storage Center. I am able to get #10 cans of a variety of foodstuffs for CHEAP. I have been paying three times as much ordering through Shelf Reliance, though I really like Shelf Reliance also. But money is money, and food is food.
I ordered sugar, oats and hot cocoa mix from them. Came home and promptly made cocoa. PS#2, an avid Starbucks fan at 2 1/2, loves their Hot Chocolate. He was STOKED to find out I had a big can of it. He drank two sippy cups FULL of HOT cocoa. He LOVES HOT tea and cocoa. The heat has never really bothered him, which I find odd. A few members of my congregation also ordered through me, I packed and picked up their items, and will distribute on Sunday.
My baby chicks are growing so fast, and are doing great in the chicken tractor PH made for them. As soon as, they are big enough to go in the big coop, I'll order my meat chickens to raise for butchering. A friend also told me tonight about a baby piglet for sale for $20. We plan to get it, and raise it to butcher. PH wasn't too excited about a pet pig, until I told him I didn't want a pet pig, I wanted it for FOOD. He okayed it then, so I contacted my friend right away. I ams so excited!
All the canning I did early in the summer, has unfortunately not been enough. I have been needing to eat out of my food stores, and it isn't lasting as long as I wanted. Darn...I'll need to plant more next year, since my Fall garden isn't panning out. The stupid goats won't stay out of the garden. NONE of my pumpkins made it. I was looking forward to canning the pumpkin. Nuts!
Time to watch Jericho (again).
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Bread and Buckets
I've been buying buckets from a local bakery, washing them and then filling them with flour, sugar, rice, etc. I need to stop by and get some more for cornmeal, and more flour. All of my dry goods are in the freezer to keep the bugs out of the bags, so once I have the buckets, I'll transfer them, and free up space in the freezer for meat.
I neglected to fill my sugar cansisters before dumping all of the remaining bag of sugar into the bucket. I had to break out my handy dandy bucket opener to fill the jar today. And guess what?! The sugar bucket was on the bottom of the stack. Which meant I had to move 75 lbs of dry goods to reach it (sigh).
I've been taking orders for bread. My special this week is 2 - 12 inch loaves of bread and a jar of jelly (your choice of strawberry, grape, prickly pear and now apple).
PD#1 turns 14 tomorrow. I cannot believe it. My little girl is growing so fast.. It's kind of scary.
We've been busy here, doing our normal preparations. I know I am not a hard core prep blogger, but that is because we live it every day, and am not just putting things by "just in case". Our "just in case" is here. The economy is so bad, and money so tight, that I don't go to the grocery store except every other month IF that...Tonight for dinner we had rice, with ground beef, canned corn, homemade bread, homemade apple crisp with vanilla pudding, and iced tea. All from everything here in the pantry/freezer. It feels pretty good to be able to cook without running to the store, but I am running out of things too. I haven't been to the grocery store to REALLY stock up in awhile. I need to go through the pantry and make a note of what I am missing and then bite the bullet and go get it. I do know T.P. is on the list, down to 30 rolls...not good for PH. He likes t.p. It's a no go on getting him to use the flannel wipes.
Two walls are up on the house, with the other two scheduled to be done this weekend. Then comes the interior walls, the loft structure and the roof. We really need the roof, because this week (after a full year of NO rain) it decides to rain. This does not bode well for the plywood decking and wall framing. I am sitting here waiting for a big storm cell to come through. The rain is much needed and appreciated (thanks Lord!) but the wood doesn't like it so much.
Had to run out and close up the wash house and take the wash off the line, as well as, cover the baby chicks in their chicken tractor. I hope they keep dry. We need to move them to the barn tomorrow. I am worried about them drowning in the storm, or taking a chill/draft.
Areas we prepped this week: dehydrated the rest of the 20lbs of apples and have about 5 quarts of dried apples. Filled 3 buckets with dried goods, practiced shooting (dove season is here ya know!) - the goats run FAST when you walk out of the house with a 12 gauge!
I neglected to fill my sugar cansisters before dumping all of the remaining bag of sugar into the bucket. I had to break out my handy dandy bucket opener to fill the jar today. And guess what?! The sugar bucket was on the bottom of the stack. Which meant I had to move 75 lbs of dry goods to reach it (sigh).
I've been taking orders for bread. My special this week is 2 - 12 inch loaves of bread and a jar of jelly (your choice of strawberry, grape, prickly pear and now apple).
PD#1 turns 14 tomorrow. I cannot believe it. My little girl is growing so fast.. It's kind of scary.
We've been busy here, doing our normal preparations. I know I am not a hard core prep blogger, but that is because we live it every day, and am not just putting things by "just in case". Our "just in case" is here. The economy is so bad, and money so tight, that I don't go to the grocery store except every other month IF that...Tonight for dinner we had rice, with ground beef, canned corn, homemade bread, homemade apple crisp with vanilla pudding, and iced tea. All from everything here in the pantry/freezer. It feels pretty good to be able to cook without running to the store, but I am running out of things too. I haven't been to the grocery store to REALLY stock up in awhile. I need to go through the pantry and make a note of what I am missing and then bite the bullet and go get it. I do know T.P. is on the list, down to 30 rolls...not good for PH. He likes t.p. It's a no go on getting him to use the flannel wipes.
Two walls are up on the house, with the other two scheduled to be done this weekend. Then comes the interior walls, the loft structure and the roof. We really need the roof, because this week (after a full year of NO rain) it decides to rain. This does not bode well for the plywood decking and wall framing. I am sitting here waiting for a big storm cell to come through. The rain is much needed and appreciated (thanks Lord!) but the wood doesn't like it so much.
Had to run out and close up the wash house and take the wash off the line, as well as, cover the baby chicks in their chicken tractor. I hope they keep dry. We need to move them to the barn tomorrow. I am worried about them drowning in the storm, or taking a chill/draft.
Areas we prepped this week: dehydrated the rest of the 20lbs of apples and have about 5 quarts of dried apples. Filled 3 buckets with dried goods, practiced shooting (dove season is here ya know!) - the goats run FAST when you walk out of the house with a 12 gauge!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Red, White and Blue Ribbons
Today was a good day...we went to the fair and found out the results of the Art and Home Arts Judging. We all did pretty good, and it RAINED! Yeah! It would have been nice if it had rained at the land here, but it rained about 30 miles away at the fairgrounds. Better than nothing, though our pastures could stand some greening up.
Here are some pictures that show about our day:
Here are some pictures that show about our day:
Opening Ceremones of County Fair
Our Flags
Goat Judging
PS#2 holding a baby chick
(we have these at home, but he was still excited)
PS#2 Blue Ribbon for his "Artwork"
PD#1 next to her Watercolor Entires
(these are only some of what she entered)
PD#1 and her blue ribbon for her crocheted
hat and scarf
PD#2 and her blue ribbon artwork
One of my ribbons for my canned foods
I received 1st in canned fruits (jar of pears in middle)
West wall of house framed out and ready to go up
(Yeah!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)