Sometimes I think about purpose. I must be here for a reason. I was talking to a person just today about how they learned things. They learned by doing personally I learn visually some like and instruction manual.
I wonder if that’s how God talks to folks. You have your Gospels written by a blue collar guy and an educated guy a soldier... and each one says mostly the same thing story wise but what a difference in how the story is told. Some details added some details left out.
I had another conversation about talking to others about faith and or God I guess and I came to the occlusion it’s not about the result. That is to say it’s not about a miracle conversion or a wow moment but more about just talking about it. God will be in the conversation and the person will hear what he or she is supposed to hear. Like it the matrixes when Morpheus says you heard what you were suppose to hear.
I think I’ll have more respect for the long haired save the world guy on the downtown street next time. Maybe God is reaching out to just one person so they can hear what they need to hear at that time in their lives...
I dunno ... Simple is always better... enough is a feast.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Whey Bread and Meds
I’ve gone from every other day on the Effexor to now two complete days off... I’m pretty woggle... its like being drunk without the fun part its nasty but far less than the last time I tried I’m actually functional this time. I’m going to make it I think. Relief. I’ve begun to notice the subtle differences mostly in my drive and focus.
We used the whey to make a loaf of onion garlic bread. I woke up in the middle of the night wow was that strong garlic yikes... anyway the loaf was dense and did not rise as much but I thought it was very tasty.
Last night was some kind of spaghetti bake spaghetti noodles in a lasagna pan... it was very good but only 4 for dinner. I was able to vacuum pack 6 packs for lunches. Lunch will be very good.
Cody is on day 2 of his new chore schedule. Complaining increased and Julie is still trying to help him. Still there is great progress. He helped make the new sauerkraut as well last night. A personal victory
We used the whey to make a loaf of onion garlic bread. I woke up in the middle of the night wow was that strong garlic yikes... anyway the loaf was dense and did not rise as much but I thought it was very tasty.
Last night was some kind of spaghetti bake spaghetti noodles in a lasagna pan... it was very good but only 4 for dinner. I was able to vacuum pack 6 packs for lunches. Lunch will be very good.
Cody is on day 2 of his new chore schedule. Complaining increased and Julie is still trying to help him. Still there is great progress. He helped make the new sauerkraut as well last night. A personal victory
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Kicking Meds
I think I have finally kicked the Effexor … Good god may I suggest none of you ever take that med. I still can’t believe the doctor put me on that. I can feel the focus coming back I can feel the grit of the world ... Now I guess we will see what we see.
On top of the rest of the pile of crap ... I also have the HLB-27 Gene. In reading in my Probiotics books this was the first gene successfully transmitted to mice for research. The infected mice showed red and swollen joints. Studies showed that antibiotics did place this condition into remission but the Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG kept this swelling in remission.
My new regiment will be the tart cherrys and the Lactobacillus .... lets see what that does.
On top of the rest of the pile of crap ... I also have the HLB-27 Gene. In reading in my Probiotics books this was the first gene successfully transmitted to mice for research. The infected mice showed red and swollen joints. Studies showed that antibiotics did place this condition into remission but the Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG kept this swelling in remission.
My new regiment will be the tart cherrys and the Lactobacillus .... lets see what that does.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Whew .. OK where were we ?
Oh yeah.. Enough is a feast... Monday was Julie’s birthday so she got a shelf added to her front window. She has proceeded to plant Morning Glory in each pot. The 8 foot vines will cover the window we think and provide some shade. I just hope it cools the kitchen down some. I have always hated the idea of a shade there so I hope this is the solution.
I also took the opportunity to purchase some storage tubs while at Menards. We have begun to empty the cupboards keeping only the things we will be using often the rest will hit the garage sale in the spring. We have had some excess over the last few years and if you can find the house you will want to attend this one it will be quit a sale.
Cub had round steak on sale!! Jerky Jerky Jerky ... Most of it was attacked first off but I was able to defend my post and managed to pack up 5 3oz bags for personal hoarding. I guess I make good jerky if the youngest loves it. Of the 5 pounds of sauerkraut I just fermented I have one quart left. I’m still trying to figure out where it went. I know it was very popular due to the garlic and peppers but wow... I want some. Of all things however seeing Julie put red cabbage juice in her martini to make it dirty was the greatest. I guess she liked it.
I had my first drink of Whey yesterday. It really had not a lot of taste and was a bit tart. Full of protein and good gut stuff I will be saving it to make bread and smoothies from now on.
Julie got a fruit thingy from mom for her birthday. The entire workplace squealed with delight
Sunday, February 21, 2010
OK .. Survived
Whew that was a crap week I guess that makes me stronger. Enough.
I trried the yogurt in the dehydrator. The temp was very consistant so the yougurt was exceptional. The down side to that method is I can only make a half gallon batch at a time. so the final yeild is a quart. Enough for one day around here.
I got a great quality WHEY out of it though clear and tart. I need some ideas for the whey if anyone has some. I was thinking of whipping up some dog treats with it but that seems like such a waste. hmm what to do what to do
I trried the yogurt in the dehydrator. The temp was very consistant so the yougurt was exceptional. The down side to that method is I can only make a half gallon batch at a time. so the final yeild is a quart. Enough for one day around here.
I got a great quality WHEY out of it though clear and tart. I need some ideas for the whey if anyone has some. I was thinking of whipping up some dog treats with it but that seems like such a waste. hmm what to do what to do
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Probiotics
Got a great book from Julie. Sour Kraut and Yogurt looks like Ive made good decisions. Im trying hard to stay really busy today pinapple is in the dryer I had tater tot hotdish for lunch.
Today is the day I physically miss my son. I cant explain it but its truly physical and not just emotional. The second hand keeps moving though Ive noticed. I guess that means life goes on ... or at least some version of it.
Today is the day I physically miss my son. I cant explain it but its truly physical and not just emotional. The second hand keeps moving though Ive noticed. I guess that means life goes on ... or at least some version of it.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
No One Home
Everyone has left for the day and Julie is n Utah. I had some of her Cinnamon Rasin bread for toast this morning . I must leave the house today I think I'm wondering if taking the week of was a good idea. I'm thinking of Ben constantly and the physical pan is intense. It took 5 minutes to get to the kitchen today. The dogs are happy to see me ... maybe they just think Ill give them a treat.
It will be one year on Thursday since my son died. Its hard to breath today I wonder what Thursday will bring
It will be one year on Thursday since my son died. Its hard to breath today I wonder what Thursday will bring
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sunday Saint ValentinesDay
Ham and egg sandwiches for the two boys the third still asleep a ham sandwich for me. Its 10 and the granola is in the oven the ham is packed and in the freezer the pineapple is almost done in the dehydrator two loads of laundry done and Ive sliced the bread. I got a loaf of Cinnamon Rasin Bread this morning for Valentines. Toasted it is so so good.. I called mom and we were able to hunt down the flowers I sent that were delivered Friday. UPS left the to far off to the left of the door and they sat outside for a couple days. I guess they are done for she stood them in a vase we shall see well at least something came to the house on time :). I sitll have to make the yogurt today and I think its a good day to fish. Noah called me he sounds good.
We agreed that it will be a long week ill check in with him on Wednesday and Thursday and the Dean Excused him on Friday. I think I will send him a bread maker, he loves bread.
Zach left the other night to got a LAN Part with his desktop computer in hand. That was the last thing I saw Ben do too.
We agreed that it will be a long week ill check in with him on Wednesday and Thursday and the Dean Excused him on Friday. I think I will send him a bread maker, he loves bread.
Zach left the other night to got a LAN Part with his desktop computer in hand. That was the last thing I saw Ben do too.
Costs Deli Meat -- Slicers and Vacuum Sealers
It has to be said
Homesteaders, hobby farmers and self sustaining people will roll there eyes and even fall off there chairs laughing at this and even suburbanites know Deli shaved meats are pricey. How Pricey are they really.
Yesterday I sopped and picked up a processed 10 pound chunk of precooked ham -- its the kind they grind and repackage. The 10 lbs package was 9.99 on sale. I got the slicer and shaved the ham into 10, 1 lbs vac pack bags. The bags work out to about .40 cents a piece so in all not counting the initial investment of the slicer, which I use to cut a TON of stuff (bread, meat, cheese) and the vacuum sealer itself, I spent 14 bucks to package the 10 packs. The kids will plow through them as after school snacks for a few weeks.
The best price i could find on the thin sliced meat this week was $3.79 a pound. So my 14 dollars worth of sealed ham worked out to 37.90 at the Deli Counter. Difference saved $23.90. No I'm not counting the .09 cents it cost to run the slicer and vacuum sealer.
I spent 120 bucks on the slicer and vacuum sealer together -- so at savings like that it was well worth the purchase. Don't buy them new, there are tons out there on eBay and Craig s list and spring garage sales.
Homesteaders, hobby farmers and self sustaining people will roll there eyes and even fall off there chairs laughing at this and even suburbanites know Deli shaved meats are pricey. How Pricey are they really.
Yesterday I sopped and picked up a processed 10 pound chunk of precooked ham -- its the kind they grind and repackage. The 10 lbs package was 9.99 on sale. I got the slicer and shaved the ham into 10, 1 lbs vac pack bags. The bags work out to about .40 cents a piece so in all not counting the initial investment of the slicer, which I use to cut a TON of stuff (bread, meat, cheese) and the vacuum sealer itself, I spent 14 bucks to package the 10 packs. The kids will plow through them as after school snacks for a few weeks.
The best price i could find on the thin sliced meat this week was $3.79 a pound. So my 14 dollars worth of sealed ham worked out to 37.90 at the Deli Counter. Difference saved $23.90. No I'm not counting the .09 cents it cost to run the slicer and vacuum sealer.
I spent 120 bucks on the slicer and vacuum sealer together -- so at savings like that it was well worth the purchase. Don't buy them new, there are tons out there on eBay and Craig s list and spring garage sales.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
10 For Dinner
Full table tonight sausage, onions, mushrooms and kraut -- augraten potatoes, chicken breast and corn. Found my first sale Item today. Pinapple -- so its sliced and in the dryer. We got 5 all together. I canned the nushrooms I got on sale. It looks like a good seal so we wont need to buy those ever again. Tomorrow I make a new batch of granola and yougurt. We got some crasins. Im excited for a new flavor.
Ben week starts tomorrow
Ben week starts tomorrow
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sour Kraut Batch II
I got to use my new crock. It took my entire change jar to buy it but it was worth it. My first batch was by the book and it was pretty and Julie said it was good. This round however --in my new super duper crock-- I added gunk. To my three heads of cabbage two white one red I added two cloves of garlic one small white onion and one habanero pepper. Today was day 8 I checked it .. It did have just a bit of white bloom but the smell was wonderful. I peeled the top leaves and removed what I didn't like. I scooped some into a bowl .. wow wonderful I mean good wonderful. I asked my wife if she wanted to try it she said sure.... I think to humor me. I got 5 wows and filled a bowl for her. She ate a straight bowl of kraut.
Things are good
Things are good
2012
Its still a bit early ... but this guy might be worth a look
2012 Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty
It was impressive when he balanced billions in debt with no tax increases ... made a lot of enemies.. Hates big government.. I think I'll read more about him
2012 Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty
It was impressive when he balanced billions in debt with no tax increases ... made a lot of enemies.. Hates big government.. I think I'll read more about him
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday's Dinner-Deep Dish Beef Pie
2 lbs beef and pork (ground)- I used 1lb ground beef and 1lb of my husband awesome homemade pork sausage
1 medium onion (chopped)
1/2 cup celery (chopped)
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup table cream
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 package pie crust mix (package makes to pie crusts)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Brown meat and onion (drain)
Stir in mushroom soup, cream, parsley flakes, celery, bay leaf and soy sauce.
Cover; simmer, stirring several times during 15 minutes
Remove bay leaf
Spoon mixture into 9x9x2 baking pan
Combine crust mix and grated cheese in bowl (add enough water until mix sticks together)
Roll pastry out into a square
Place over hot meat filling pressing edges against edges of pan to seal.
Cut slits in top to let steam escape
Bake @375 for 40 minutes until crust is golden and filling bubbles up
1 medium onion (chopped)
1/2 cup celery (chopped)
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup table cream
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 package pie crust mix (package makes to pie crusts)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Brown meat and onion (drain)
Stir in mushroom soup, cream, parsley flakes, celery, bay leaf and soy sauce.
Cover; simmer, stirring several times during 15 minutes
Remove bay leaf
Spoon mixture into 9x9x2 baking pan
Combine crust mix and grated cheese in bowl (add enough water until mix sticks together)
Roll pastry out into a square
Place over hot meat filling pressing edges against edges of pan to seal.
Cut slits in top to let steam escape
Bake @375 for 40 minutes until crust is golden and filling bubbles up
Wednesday Dinner-Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy
I know what you're thinking..Swanson Dinner right?? Nope, this is actually homemade and tastes awesome.
1 egg
1 can (10-1/2 onunces) condensed French Onion Soup undiluted (divided)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup water (for the sauce)
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken sauce)
2 tablespoons water (use with flour)
Serve with mashed potatoes or over hot cooked egg noodles
1.) In a large bowl, beat egg. Stir in 1/3 cup of undiluted soup, bread crumbs, salt, pepper. Crumble beef over mixture, mix gently. Shape into six oval patties.
2.) In a skillet, brown patties over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside; drain pan. Add water(1/4cup), ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, muctard and remaining undiluted soup to skillet. Bring to boil.
3.) Return patties to skillet. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remover patties.
4.) combine flour and cold water (2tbls) mix until smooth. Stir into sauce, bring to boil;cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve patties and gravy with mashed potatoes or over egg noodles.
1 egg
1 can (10-1/2 onunces) condensed French Onion Soup undiluted (divided)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup water (for the sauce)
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken sauce)
2 tablespoons water (use with flour)
Serve with mashed potatoes or over hot cooked egg noodles
1.) In a large bowl, beat egg. Stir in 1/3 cup of undiluted soup, bread crumbs, salt, pepper. Crumble beef over mixture, mix gently. Shape into six oval patties.
2.) In a skillet, brown patties over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside; drain pan. Add water(1/4cup), ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, muctard and remaining undiluted soup to skillet. Bring to boil.
3.) Return patties to skillet. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remover patties.
4.) combine flour and cold water (2tbls) mix until smooth. Stir into sauce, bring to boil;cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve patties and gravy with mashed potatoes or over egg noodles.
"I'm not really religious but I'm spiritual."
Ouch.
I had yet another encounter with the phrase "I'm not really religious but I'm spiritual." To me that means you think there is a god but you get to make up your own rules. You get to view God through your eyes and your beliefs. You know best --of all people you understand Gods great plan.
I on the other hand have chosen to believe in Jesus. I think there is a scripture placed in our hand by divine intervention. It outlines a code. Many things I don't understand and even wish were not there. Many things I struggle with. Many things are taken by agnostics and warped out of context scaring the masses and belittling my faith. People sometimes look at me funny and roll there eyes when I give an opinion -- so -- in a way I have to pay a personal price with my belief. I call it the God tax.
Spiritual people to often change their mind with things they struggle with as it suits them.What I find is the things I struggle with after time slide into place and I end up nodding my head and say "I see now -- I wasn't ready to understand." It happens all the time.
Im no bible thumper but I will tell you I pray each day that I learn to live as God asks.
He has showed you, o man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
I had yet another encounter with the phrase "I'm not really religious but I'm spiritual." To me that means you think there is a god but you get to make up your own rules. You get to view God through your eyes and your beliefs. You know best --of all people you understand Gods great plan.
I on the other hand have chosen to believe in Jesus. I think there is a scripture placed in our hand by divine intervention. It outlines a code. Many things I don't understand and even wish were not there. Many things I struggle with. Many things are taken by agnostics and warped out of context scaring the masses and belittling my faith. People sometimes look at me funny and roll there eyes when I give an opinion -- so -- in a way I have to pay a personal price with my belief. I call it the God tax.
Spiritual people to often change their mind with things they struggle with as it suits them.What I find is the things I struggle with after time slide into place and I end up nodding my head and say "I see now -- I wasn't ready to understand." It happens all the time.
Im no bible thumper but I will tell you I pray each day that I learn to live as God asks.
He has showed you, o man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Food Stocks
My 6 cups of granola lasted two weeks since it is used exclusively for the yogurt. So Saturday will be a granola day. The youngest boy will I think enjoy making that and will make him feel empowered. Last Sunday I made another gallon of yogurt. We took the last of the yogurt out for breakfast today. So we came up shy 2 days in the supply -- i find that really funny since its plain yogurt.
Last night we had 6 in the house for dinner. Julie made Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes. It was fabulous you will all want the recipe and I will have her post it in Julies Kitchen Saturday.
My friend Lisa has ordered a dehydrator and is having a great time. So far she has done bananas and strawberries and she is ready to start cranking out fruit leathers. It’s great to have someone who gets excited and will chat with me about it.
My brother is snowed in. He lives in MD. Having grown up in the Midwest he is enjoying the snow I think.
Last night we had 6 in the house for dinner. Julie made Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes. It was fabulous you will all want the recipe and I will have her post it in Julies Kitchen Saturday.
My friend Lisa has ordered a dehydrator and is having a great time. So far she has done bananas and strawberries and she is ready to start cranking out fruit leathers. It’s great to have someone who gets excited and will chat with me about it.
My brother is snowed in. He lives in MD. Having grown up in the Midwest he is enjoying the snow I think.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Soap Problem
Seems the wonderful woman at Self Sustained Living has cheese and soap dialed the heck in!!!!. I have been instructed to make soap and cheese exactly like hers ... I'm screwed.
I suggest you go there, make a donation, get the soap and or cheese and see for yourself. Store bought is now a thing of the past I am afraid.
Donate there today and live well on chese from heaven
I suggest you go there, make a donation, get the soap and or cheese and see for yourself. Store bought is now a thing of the past I am afraid.
Donate there today and live well on chese from heaven
Wednesday
Went from work to car to bed to deal with the pain there just has been no releif over the last few weeks mentaly this is not a good time for this to happen. Julie will be gone next week to Utah so Ive decided to take the week off. I think Ill just hold up in my room for a week reading and prepping. Its all about how hard you can get hit and still get up .. and move forward.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Plants
My seeds came last night. What a bounty. This will be the first year I harvest seeds for next year. So off I go to research that - it cant be rocket science. Julie wants the gardens raised so I'll have to go price that out. I guess in the long run raised will have many advantages. If your going to do it .. do it right the first time.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Time to make the doughnuts
Saints win .. good for the gulf coast. We were treated to Crappie Cakes last night at the Super Bowl Party. They were AWESOME they would not share the recipe though .. Like fish hush puppies with an Asian tang. They were very good. I got to see Lisa. I sure miss her Im hoping fortune brings her further north soon. I sent some sausage home with her but she has not tried it yet. She says she is still full from the 20 pounds of food we pushed down her yesterday ! I think that means she liked it : ) .. She also gave me her Food Saver Vaccum for my birthday. THAT WAS EXCITING. I starting making packs right away. Im such a geek.
It was very nice of my wife to thank me for the "baby breakfast sausage" she likes it better and knows I hate making it .. I guess practice practice practice. For her ... anything.
Crappy snow here in MN. If it were raining .. this would be one of those 3 day drizzle deals. The problem is snow piles up and you kind of have to wait for it to pile up before moving it around. The drive into and out of the city is not going to be fun this week.
Tonight Sausage and Sour Kraut for Dinner ... I am very excited
It was very nice of my wife to thank me for the "baby breakfast sausage" she likes it better and knows I hate making it .. I guess practice practice practice. For her ... anything.
Crappy snow here in MN. If it were raining .. this would be one of those 3 day drizzle deals. The problem is snow piles up and you kind of have to wait for it to pile up before moving it around. The drive into and out of the city is not going to be fun this week.
Tonight Sausage and Sour Kraut for Dinner ... I am very excited
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Mini Vicotry
The summer sausage seems to have been a success Julie gives it a wow so .. Im thrilled... also it seems if you make 5 pounds of summer sausage and your wife makes a loaf of Italian bread .. you can make a sandwitch ...burp
Yeah it doesn't take much to keep me interested and excited.
Those tiny little day wreckers
I took these out of the freezer so I could repack the little ones and thaw the big ones for Football watching. The little ones are sheep gut and the big are hog. Little ones are maple and the big ones are hot and spicy.
I dislike making the little ones I still put to much in them and they bust when I twist the link off ... I guess Ill make more next time and just keep going till I get it right.. I guess as long as they taste good what they look like in your tummy doesn't matter .......... The best part is ... I still have a half quart of kraut to slather on my game dog
I dislike making the little ones I still put to much in them and they bust when I twist the link off ... I guess Ill make more next time and just keep going till I get it right.. I guess as long as they taste good what they look like in your tummy doesn't matter .......... The best part is ... I still have a half quart of kraut to slather on my game dog
I think Ben would have liked making jerky
My younger son made brownies every year for Christmas. He also made the Benza. The Benza was well .. it was .. a pizsza but about as thick as a lasagna on a 1/4 inch crust. It was fabulous. I think he would like making yogurt and jerky. We miss you buddy it'll be a year on the 19th .. thats gonna be a long day I think
Apple Butter
Taken from the Hillilly House Wife site
- 8 cups apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 4 cups white sugar
- 4 t. cinnamon
- ¼ t. cloves
- ¼ t. salt
What a woman
I thought it was odd that my wife got up at 3 am for a few minutes .. I thought maybe she went to get aspirin or a drink of water. Nope .. I guess she had a batch of Apple Butter in the crock pot. I got a piece of bread with apple butter this morning with my coffee.
Since the sausage ate up my entire day I had to finsih up this morning with the rest of the projects. I started with more jerky. Lisa wanted some and since Im getting her Vacuum Sealer it is the least I can do for my dear dear friend. Its marinading now. Ill put it in the dehydrator at noon and it'll be done before the Big Game is done. I fired up the smoker to for the summer sausage. Julie is pretty excited about that but Ill trade for apple butter anyday wow. I see its reading 150 degreesa all ready .. seemed to heat up too quick
The milk is cooling in a bit ill add the cultures and start the yogurt.. Its 9:05. I have to laugh
Since the sausage ate up my entire day I had to finsih up this morning with the rest of the projects. I started with more jerky. Lisa wanted some and since Im getting her Vacuum Sealer it is the least I can do for my dear dear friend. Its marinading now. Ill put it in the dehydrator at noon and it'll be done before the Big Game is done. I fired up the smoker to for the summer sausage. Julie is pretty excited about that but Ill trade for apple butter anyday wow. I see its reading 150 degreesa all ready .. seemed to heat up too quick
The milk is cooling in a bit ill add the cultures and start the yogurt.. Its 9:05. I have to laugh
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sausage .. Done
Today I processed 20 pounds of sausage. Normally not so bad HOWEVER I made 5 pounds of maple breakfast sasauge first. I hate that sheep gut. Its so fragile. Im a hog guy .. Mid way through Julie wanted me to fix the carpet cleaner grrr. stress on stress. The casings were new they were pretubed. I never used the pretubed before they were the same price and I was surprised when I opened tha package. Anyway same old same old .. hate making fragile sausage.
5 Pounds Maple Links
10 Pounds Hot Italian. 3 pounds in bags and the rest in links
2 2.5 pound summer sausgage
Photos tomorrow Im KAAAA RABY NOW
5 Pounds Maple Links
10 Pounds Hot Italian. 3 pounds in bags and the rest in links
2 2.5 pound summer sausgage
Photos tomorrow Im KAAAA RABY NOW
Italian Bread
We are also making Bread to have with the Northern Bean Soup we froze a few weeks ago. The Bean soup was made from the scrapes left from the last round of sausage making.
1 package active dry yeast - (1/4 oz) 3 cups bread flour 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning -- This is a to taste thing 2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- softened 1 cup less 1 tablespoon hot water 2 stiffly beaten egg whites Add ingredients according to the manufacturer's directions. Be sure to use "crisp" bread setting and add the egg whites after the rest of the ingredients are moist. This recipe yields a 1 pound loaf.  | . |
Coffee
Saturday my prep day. Today will be the day I set aside for prepping for the week. Julie is planning the meals for the week and we will goto the store. Our food bill cut in half once we had a list and a plan. Taking our new queues from others who have ventrured down this less is more path we also have adjusted our menu aproach. Staples is now the word. Buy the basics and plan your menus around them. Again enough is a feast and when you stray from the plan the treats are all that much more treatier .. (new word accept it). All ready its starting to feel like a stronger and more healing household.
Today is yougurt day so one more gallon of milk is needed. I will be grinding 20 pounds of pork by my count today. I want to do 5 pounds of summer sausage, 5 pounds of breakfast links and 10 pounds of Spicey sausage for links and one pound bullets for Julies Kitchen. I started the new batch of kraut on Thursday night and the granola is still plentiful so that is alot of work I need not do today.
While we are at the store I will look for whats on sale. If I see something fun and cheap for the dehydrator then Ill be cutting and drying today as well.
Tomorrow is Big Game Day so there will be a small crowd here Taco Bar is always a favorite perhaps this year Ill start the grill and make some sausages. Its good to get feedback on the meat flavoring. Also the long awaited Vacuumm sealer will arrive and I can pack all of our stuff properly. I wonder if Julie will let me put Ellas Acre Stickers on my packs of sausage.
I can feel her eyes rolling all ready.
Today is yougurt day so one more gallon of milk is needed. I will be grinding 20 pounds of pork by my count today. I want to do 5 pounds of summer sausage, 5 pounds of breakfast links and 10 pounds of Spicey sausage for links and one pound bullets for Julies Kitchen. I started the new batch of kraut on Thursday night and the granola is still plentiful so that is alot of work I need not do today.
While we are at the store I will look for whats on sale. If I see something fun and cheap for the dehydrator then Ill be cutting and drying today as well.
Tomorrow is Big Game Day so there will be a small crowd here Taco Bar is always a favorite perhaps this year Ill start the grill and make some sausages. Its good to get feedback on the meat flavoring. Also the long awaited Vacuumm sealer will arrive and I can pack all of our stuff properly. I wonder if Julie will let me put Ellas Acre Stickers on my packs of sausage.
I can feel her eyes rolling all ready.
Saucy Italian Roast
Sitting here in bed reading my cookbook and drinking coffee while my hubby is reading his blogs. I was telling him what I was planning for dinner tonight and he suggested that I share my recipes here...so here it goes. Today for dinner we're going to have Saucy Italian Roast, it's pretty simple seeing you place all these ingrediants in your crockpot and let it sit for 8-9 hours while you go off and do other things within your day.
Saucy Italian Roast:
1 boneless rump roast 3 to 3 1/2 pounds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 1/2 oz of mushrooms drained ( i use a handful of fresh-sliced and sauteed. Also, don't use your husbands pickled mushrooms..YIKES!!!)
1 medium onion diced
14 oz of spagetti sauce
1/2 cup red wine or beef broth
Cut roast in half. Combine salt, garlic powder, pepper and rub over roast. Put in 5 quart slow cooker. Top with mushrooms and onion. Combine spagetti sauce and wine/or broth. Pour over meat and veggies. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours until nice and tender. Slice and serve over pasta with pan juices. I take the juices and mix a little corn starch to thicken it up a bit. But either way is nummy. Enjoy.
Saucy Italian Roast:
1 boneless rump roast 3 to 3 1/2 pounds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 1/2 oz of mushrooms drained ( i use a handful of fresh-sliced and sauteed. Also, don't use your husbands pickled mushrooms..YIKES!!!)
1 medium onion diced
14 oz of spagetti sauce
1/2 cup red wine or beef broth
Cut roast in half. Combine salt, garlic powder, pepper and rub over roast. Put in 5 quart slow cooker. Top with mushrooms and onion. Combine spagetti sauce and wine/or broth. Pour over meat and veggies. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours until nice and tender. Slice and serve over pasta with pan juices. I take the juices and mix a little corn starch to thicken it up a bit. But either way is nummy. Enjoy.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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Friday, February 5, 2010
Really .. and all those years I had no Idea
Last night I was feeling pretty cocky. I was making jerky the yogurt factory is a huge success the whole gallon is gone for the week looks like more prepping is in store for the weekend.
To top it all off I had heads of cabbage all chopped and in my new fancy ultra super fangled crock. Its at this point I wondered how I was going to beat down the cabbage. As I looked around the kitchen, there … there on the top of the cupboard say two items I took from my moms house that sat as decoration that for years I thought were candle holders missing the tops… Yeah not so much. They are wooden pestles.
Turns out I’m still pretty ManDumb.
Thanks MOM !
To top it all off I had heads of cabbage all chopped and in my new fancy ultra super fangled crock. Its at this point I wondered how I was going to beat down the cabbage. As I looked around the kitchen, there … there on the top of the cupboard say two items I took from my moms house that sat as decoration that for years I thought were candle holders missing the tops… Yeah not so much. They are wooden pestles.
Turns out I’m still pretty ManDumb.
Thanks MOM !
Beef Jerky ... Who Is The Man :)
The most delightful of all ManFort items, Jerky. I have been reading and working with sausage now for a few months. Now that the dehydrator has arrived I will forge forward into the non frozen meat. Meat scares me some but it really fills a primal slot as far as my new adventures into self sufficiency go. The great hunter and his trusty weapons of death (in this case it was a debit card and a grocery store -- some great hunter -- but none the less) I shall stock protein for the family. In this scenario I purchased a bottom round roast for 14.68. I trimmed all the fat and cut it into ¼ inch slices. The total final pre-dried weight was 2 pounds. So that works out to a decadent almost 8 bucks a pound. ----* I pause here to let the pain pass*
I used a cup of Worcestershire ½ cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, dry minced onion, garlic power, red pepper flakes and some chipolata seasoning. To ensure the youngest child could get some prior to his weekend visit to his Dads I only let it marinade for 4 hours. I fired up the dryer at 150 and let it run for 7 hours. I woke up to jerky instead of bread. (Sometimes my hottie wife makes me raisin bread for breakfast).
The jerky packaged out to 6 3 ounce packages. In MN 3 oz packs sell for $4.99 so about 25 bucks retail for jerky. So cheaper but still a luxury.Seems I will need to hunt again. I will ponder on that.
Bread at home
Last night Gold Medal Bread Flour was 2.19 a bag and Yeast was 6.49. I got two bags of flour and one container of yeast. So in total I spent 10.87 on enough raw materials to make 8 loafs’ of bread. We make Light Rolled Oat Bread 1 ½ pound loafs. In general those loafs in the store are 3 bucks a loaf. It’s hardy and makes great toast. It by no means is wonder bread so Giant White Loafs would probably be cheaper but not as tasty or probably healthy. --
The simple ManFort math means 8, 3 dollar loafs would be 24 dollars and popping the loaf in the bread machine at night before bed time would be would be 1.36 a loaf or .. 10.87. That in mind we don’t count for the 28 cents it may cost to run the bread maker or the number of minutes it take to get it ready or package it. At the acre we are using that as family time or time for my wife and I to work together, and as MasterCard would say… That is priceless.
The simple ManFort math means 8, 3 dollar loafs would be 24 dollars and popping the loaf in the bread machine at night before bed time would be would be 1.36 a loaf or .. 10.87. That in mind we don’t count for the 28 cents it may cost to run the bread maker or the number of minutes it take to get it ready or package it. At the acre we are using that as family time or time for my wife and I to work together, and as MasterCard would say… That is priceless.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
We all have a story
We were the only family with children in the restaurant.
I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting
and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He
pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were
crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin,
as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was
a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and
his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his
hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short
to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like
a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he
smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there,
baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?' Erik
continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then
the man.
The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful
baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across
the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo?
Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk..
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all
except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the
admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute
comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My
husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the
parking lot.
The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just
let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed.
As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side-
step him and avoid any air he might be breathing.
As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in
a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik
had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby
consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total
trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the
man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I
saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of
grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom
and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so
deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck.
The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his
eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm
commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though
he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God
bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my
arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was
crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying,
'My God, my God, forgive me.'
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence
of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a
child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of
clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child
who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing
to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for
all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in
our arms 2000 years ago. The ragged old man,
unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of
God , we must become as little children.'
We must always remember who we are, where we
came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others.
The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house
that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your
fellow man that identifies who you are.
I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting
and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He
pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were
crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin,
as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was
a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and
his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his
hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short
to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like
a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he
smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there,
baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?' Erik
continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then
the man.
The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful
baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across
the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo?
Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk..
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all
except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the
admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute
comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My
husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the
parking lot.
The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just
let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed.
As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side-
step him and avoid any air he might be breathing.
As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in
a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik
had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby
consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total
trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the
man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I
saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of
grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom
and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so
deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck.
The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his
eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm
commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though
he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God
bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my
arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was
crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying,
'My God, my God, forgive me.'
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence
of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a
child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of
clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child
who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing
to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for
all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in
our arms 2000 years ago. The ragged old man,
unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of
God , we must become as little children.'
We must always remember who we are, where we
came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others.
The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house
that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your
fellow man that identifies who you are.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Dried Mangos
Ok so the dehydrator works .. I did some mango and well Julie ate it all for breakfast so I guess it was good.
Thanks for learning with me ... If you can help with ideas and recipes please feel free to comment
Now the work begins. I have ordered seeds and laid out the garden on paper. I think what I do now is make lists of tools. Then I will make lists of what’s dried what’s picked what’s smoked and what’s frozen and then go to work. Lisa will be giving me her Vacuum sealer on Sunday So on Saturday i will start looking for sales and planning. When I come across one Ill prep it. I have 40 pounds of sausage now from the last pork sale that will be a treat for some time to come. Read Learn Prepare.
Thanks for learning with me ... If you can help with ideas and recipes please feel free to comment
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Dehydrator
As a bonus the dryer came too.. it's like Christmas. I put the mangos in right away they will be ready for snaks tomorrow morning.. It says I can dry yogurt into a snack too ...huh?
Wow Cool a Harsch Crock !
My crock came today its the perfect size. I was worried. Also today I tried the mushrooms. they were strong
but verty good wow/. Let the kraut begin !
Monday, February 1, 2010
Ugh I hate waiting
I orderd the Excalubar dehydratore and a small Harsch Crock .. neither have arrived. I wait .. I Hate Wating.. and yet I prep .. how Ironic. Perhaps I prep so I don't have to wait. I need to fish I guess
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