starting with meats

Meat was only bought if it was on sale and I could make at least two meals out of it. I always tried to squeeze a third if not four meals out of the meat.When you are feeding a large family of seven plus friends that are meat and potato folks that are big eaters ( I have a friend that calls me a truck driver because I eat like one). Squeezing an extra meal out of meat is a miracle to being with.

I tried to get a roast of some sort every week. Preferrable chicken or beef. It took four chickens or one good size turkey, (I have a daughter that still cringes when she sees turkey on the table besides at the holidays) to feed us one meal.I would then simmer the carcuss in the stock pot and pick the rest of the meat off the bones. This would be split between broth and meat for homemade noodles(flour,salt,eggs),chicken (or turkey) dumplings and if I was lucky a pot of soup with what ever veggies was in the crisper along with either some rice(not instant) or pasta.If there was enough meat to make a stir fry I would go that way.

A beef roast started with root veggies.Second time was either with noodles(the kids preference) or beef vegetable soup.Sometimes there was enough for stew instead of soup. I would add dumplings to make the stew stretch or put the "stew" in a pie shell and make pot pie instead.

Pork roast was with root veggies, then shredded and tossed with BBQ sauce.Now days I would save some back to make Brunswick stew.

If we got a ham, I roasted it and we had that the first round, then sliced and diced it up for ham steaks, ham sandwiches, ham salad, diced ham for eggs, salads and the bone for bean soups. I can make a lot of meals out of ham.

Hamburger went to meatloaves that followed was sliced cold for sandwiches later and what ever was left went into red sauce for pasta.

I tried to cook ten pounds of hamburger for sloppy joes made from scratch and taco meat made from scratch. It let me keep the sodium and sugar levels down.Sloppy joes also made sheppards pie while taco meat ranged from tacos to enchilidas, burritos,taco casserole and added to cheese to make dips.

I made chili from hamburger(hubby does from sausage), it would make chili soup, then walking tacos, the Cinncy chili over pasta, then taco salad, or even nachos or a casserole with chili with corn bread baked on top, kind of like a tamale pie?

Pork chops,pork steaks, beef steaks etc wasn't on the table much. Couldn't afford the price with how much we needed to put on the table.

Staples in the home

We have went thru the sleet,freezing rain and snow right along with those howling winds.The roads are not something to be out and about on yet.

Landlord brought over a generator so the steers in the barn would have water, which means we get water also. Something city folks take for granted is having water when they don't have power.

Even so I stocked water for flushing toilets,cooking/drinking and made several pots of coffee to put in the thermos we have. Just encase we can't get out to the generator to turn it on.

BUT the worst thing I have dealt with is a child calling me telling me they are low on groceries and aren't sure they will have enough to eat before they can get back to the store. First part of that is my immediate reaction to load up my car with food and haul it over an hour(none of the kids live closer than an hour) and FEED MY CHILD.

The second part wants to kick their rear because I preach,nag and so forth about keeping certain foods in the house at all times.

The following is the main list. It is what I call my basic staples. You don't see Bisquick or anything like that. That is on hubby's basic staples list.LOL

Flour, all purpose and bread if you can afford it also
corn meal
rice, not instant
oats, not instant
cream of wheat
pasta of any kind
yeast, keep it in the freezer
eggs, large
corn starch
baking soda
baking powder
worchestershire sauce
soy sauce
apple cider vinegar
lemon juice
salt and pepper
cream of tartar
nutmeg
cinnamon
paprika
chili powder
garlic powder,fresh if you can afford it and will use it.(jar in frig in not bulbs)
onion powder, dehydrated onions, fresh onions if you will use them
basil, dried
oregano,dried
bay leaf,dried
thyme, dried
rosemary,dried
vanilla
cocoa
sugar
brown sugar
maple syrup or karo syrup or both if possible
oil, canola and olive or at least vegetable oil
lard...I do not use shortening for health reason. Lard doesn't bother my chorlesterol
butter... another one that I only use
milk,dry milk, evaporated milk, and condensed milk
sour cream
velvetta,American cheese or mild cheddar,cream cheese
potatoes
raisins
dried beans...navy or Michigan, pinto, kidney and black
tomato juice
tomato sauce
14 veggies of different colors not just corn and green beans
7 fruits, not just bananas and apples
popcorn, at one time it was microwave when it was just mine then hubby added regular popcorn. Now I wouldn't feed microwave popcorn to my family since I know it's not good for them to be eating those tryglycerides.

Tomorrow I will start telling what I would cook from this list as I did when I was raising our children and money was really tight

Memory of the Challenger

It doesn't seem like 25 yrs ago when we were watching the tv and crying. Wondering how something could go so wrong. Such heart break for the families and co-workers. Such heart break for this nation.

Take a moment and remind your self of all that you hold precious and then let them know it.

The Sacred Meal book review.

“The Sacred Meal”, written by Nora Gallagher, is another book from the “The Ancient Practices Series”.

Nora Gallagher writes this book about Communion, “The Sacred Meal”. This also talks of other faiths rites that are also practiced at that time. The book is based on the writer’s talks of her own feelings and thoughts of Communion that she practices which makes it interesting.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Starting fresh

We have been talking of the New Year, starting fresh since we moved to a bigger place (and better for us financiallyand emotionally since it reminds us of our childhood homes)...in finances and in health. They hold hands all the time.

I just finished setting up the pantry in the basement in this house. Great to see what I don't have and need because I use all the time...and bad to see what I have an over abundance of and don't hardly use at all. So we started wondering if I bought stuff not knowing I had it because I didn't have a written inventory or because it was hidden in the small house under the bed,couch, love seat etc. More likely as we found out this weekend, it was given to us because we do eat it, we just don't eat as much as we are given.I know the kids will pass to us things that are considered healthy because they don't eat it and know we do.

SO where does that leave me??? I have a wonderful and extremely varied pantry including over 100 herbs and spices. I have a good amount of meat even though it is low or out of chuck roast, pork butt roast,and Once again,I live out in the "boonies" according to my kids, love it love it love it. BUT you can't run thru the drive thrus of fast food(after reading they douce my hamburger with ammonia I don't think I want to anyways) and you can't have fast food or pizza deliveried.

You have to cook or you beg your hubby to make popcorn in lard,bacon grease and drown it in real butter. That only works on the weekend when he isn't trying to pack his lunch from the leftovers of dinner.

I also am looking at eating healthier foods. I eat natural foods mostly so will be planting a garden this spring (Square Foot Gardening is the way to go).

My plan so far it is to use the pantry up so when the garden comes in there are empty shelves to put it on as I process it. AND to eat more whole grains, more veggies and fruit AND spend less money on food and non food.

Bragging

Bragging rights...lol... some of the grandkids got together and made these for several of us at Christmas. They picked the Buckeyes while walking down the street and put it together. They were a little upset they didn't have enough letters to spell Nonna correctly or Grand-dad but as far as we are concerned they are perfect. Best part...they gave their imagination and time.

Moved

It's hard moving even when it's something you want to do...not necessarily the leaving the old place and going some where new. The packing and moving and the unpacking is the hard part. Especially when you have tons of stuff from years of living or take everything and anything that you are given.LOL

We are finally completely in the new place that we fondly call the farm as it is our landlord's grandparents farm house.The family is still farming around us and using the barns.

BUT there are over 160 boxes sitting in the garage left to unpack after I unpacked what was in the house. I figure about 8-10 a day and I'll be done by the end of the month.My oldest is excited because it means next month I can start getting my stuff out of her house. We down sized the house but not the stuff.LOL. Now we are back into a house that is basicly the same size we raised the kids in but the master bedroom and the only bathroom is on the ground floor. Hubby doesn't like to walk up and down stairs. I love to which is a good thing as the washer and dryer is in the basement and where I put the main part of the pantry.

Now if I can catch up the Christmas candy and cookies etc before this weekend it will be great.

Have a Blessed Day

new member of the family

In between getting back from out of state and doing our share to the local HAM Radio group holiday dinner.We adopted a dog.

She is a black lab/retriver with possible other mix in there. Medium size dog. Was going by the name of Kira which is now Miss (Or Missy) Kira. She was at a no kill shelter in Urbana OH for 2 yrs. I have yet to figure out why no one wanted her because she is a really good dog.Housebroken, doesn't bark excessively, lets you know when she wants out or in. Doesn't get in to things when you are gone or asleep. Since she is almost 4 the "puppiness" is mostly out of her.The shelter is having financial problems and was looking at closing is why I looked on their website.Glad I did.

So If you do NOT want to adopt an animal, you can donate to your local shelter. As the shelter where ours came from said to the local paper.IF every person in the county donated $1 each they would have enough money to run for quite awhile.

The Nativity Colletcion by Robert J. Morgan

The Nativity Collection by Robert J. Morgan Published by Thomas Nelson

The reason for the season…if you struggle with feeling this or know someone that does this book of short stories can help you find the answer. With examples of different cultures and different outlooks and places in our society Robert J. Morgan guides us to the place where we are all the same.

This is a great book to share with an older child about the meaning of Christmas.

I have already given a copy of this book to a couple friends as a gift and would encourage anyone else to do the same, along with buying one for your self.

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781404189744?id=4708389750852#customer-reviews

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

new cookies

We always bake cookies and make candy for the kids as part of their Christmas present from us. Snickerdoodles and buckeye candies are a must. SO since I am not home to bake right now and hubby isn't going to start with out me I decided to surf the internet for some new cookie recipes...I might actually decide on something instead of all the OOOOOOH that looks good, that looks easy and are you kidding me ones LOL

Hope everyone is staying on budget, and remembering it's not the actual gift it's the memories you give.

Blessed Be Juls

Dec 1

Twenty five days until Christmas.

What Am I doing? Not a thing towards getting ready.Hubby is holding down the house while I work out of state these first two weeks of Dec.

I did send out my Christmas cards before heading out.The outside of the house is decorated BUTTTT

We are moving before Christmas, top that with finishing the painting of the open staircase at my daughter's family and doing Christmas cookies and candy along with presents for all the family that I haven't even started shopping for.

I hope I still have hair left on my head after I get back and start pulling it out.

Happy Tday

We have already had our Tday dinner last Saturday. Plenty of food, family and friends. I still have a good amount of my dishes,pots and pans in at my daughter's.Instead of having turkey again or ham again we are having steaks.Giving the turkeys a break HA HA

I am also still painting the area of her open staircase in the foyer.

On top of that we lucked into a new place so we will be moving.Must be our pay backs for complaining when the kids would have us move them in the winter. Bigger place, less rent and in the country. Can't beat that combination.

I have a couple weeks work,another blessing.

I have candy and cookies to make for the kids also.

Have a Blessed Day

Coming attractions HA HA

This is a picture of last year's Thanksgiving dinner that my youngest took. You will notice that neither her or I was in the kitchen.I gave her the camera and told her to take pictures. I was banished from the kitchen by my son who took over the stove and finished the remaining dishes and made his homemade mac n cheese as requested by his sisters. Kind of funny since I taught him how to make it.Guess he changed it some, what ever gets me out of making it. HA HA

We hold our dinner the Sunday before that way we don't conflict with non-custodial visitation,in laws or those in food service wanting to work the weekend after Thanksgiving Day.

Why am I tell you this...because I have disappeared into the land of painting right before cooking dinner this coming Sunday. I call it remodeling because when ever I paint the old homestead it becomes a remodeling due to the repairs that have to be done before I can paint it.The kids voted last year and decided to move the dinner back to the old homestead( Sorry to my eldest and I wonder if she will do it again next yr) with the condition I get the house ready for the dinner, cook certain dishes and clean back up. NO biggie been there and had done that several years...what I didn't factor in was painting and installing new flooring and ceiling in the foyer that is 8 ft by 17 ft. A foyer that has an open curving staircase with a wall that goes up 20 ft.

I have found that even years after a fire your house will still develop issues due to the fire.

I have found by experience that I can put together our standard Tday dinner of over 100 dishes in 3 days. This year is only 61 dishes, 48 of them are mine to do and then the pies which last count was over 20 not touching other desserts and cakes. Can you tell we like to eat? We also like leftovers from this dinner and basicly no one cooks for a couple days after.

I best get going...today is rolling along whether I do or not.

7 wks later another death

This is Cookie when she was healthy and happy before she got a tumor on her spleen.She was a joy and prancing like the princess we felt she was.



I took this picture yesterday when she was sliding down hill so fast.She wasn't eating and had already lost 20 lbs but was "blowing up like a ballon" in her stomach area.By 1 AM this morning she was struggling.I was surprised she made it through the night.She insisted on being out side in the coolness of the night and laid in the gravel of the driveway. I laid in the gravel beside her and held her with prayers of GOD not letting her suffer.

We got her in to the clinic and had her put to sleep.Though my heart is broken I know I looked inside my heart and placed hers above my own.She's on the other side playing with Tasha (2/25/2010) and Sam (9/7/2010).Of course when I get to the other side Tasha and Sam are going to nailing me for cooking a turkey for Cookie and not them.

Blessed be those that love us unconditionally, accept us as we are and greet us with love and affection no matter what our moods are.

I miss you Cookie...I love you even more.

My Dad and the old times

This is my Dad.He is 83 and proud of it.

I spent a day interviewing him for my next book.It was a good day.Not only because I got plenty of back ground for my next book which is always sweet when I don't have to spend 150 hrs doing so but because I got to spend the day with my Dad talking about his childhood.

He talked about the "greens" he would go pick so they could be fixed.Poke weed, dandelion,Blue Devil(chicory) etc, talked of the berry patches,nuts(even chestnuts when they were still around) apple and plum trees that was around where he lived.The garden they grew wasn't be enough to feed them through the year.There was no electric, they heated with a coal stove that also was their cook stove.They had one kersone lamp for the whole house which was 3 rooms of average size.No bathroom, an outhouse and a wash basin.Times were hard, poverty was normal in this small village in southern Ohio.The house I remember his dad and sister living in was "poor" by current standards back when I was a kid, was actually living high on the hog for his family.We talked of lack of medical, herbal medicence,clothing and items most of us wouldn't think to even know about let alone ask about.

Groceries were bought weekly when there was work.Dried beans,lard,salt and pepper,rice,24 lbs of flour(they made 9 loaves of bread Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday), corn meal,oatmeal,evaporated milk,bologna( only for his dad's lunch for the coal mine)and potatoes.This was kept on a table about 2 ft wide and 4 ft long close to the table they ate at.

His Dad(Grandpa) and he both hunted and fished for what meat they ate.The only time they had eggs was on Easter.Then they could have as many as they wanted fried with fried potatoes.

They didn't keep leftovers as it would spoil before morning in warm weather and when it cooled enough to keep it outside the critters would help themselves.Trash cans,or things we take for granted were not there.

The only vegetables and fruit they ate was what they could grow and cold pack(waterbath) or find growing wild.

When they moved to the last place there was room for several gardens, a chicken coop( an egg at breakfast was a daily celebration right along with the noodles they could make), 4 rooms and 2 coal stoves. A well on the place instead of going 100 yards(estimate he said) to get a couple buckets of water for what ever it was needed for.The only saddness that touched them when they moved was his mother( my grandmother) had just died in her 40's.They buried her on his 16th birthday, with his youngest sister only a couple yrs old.

It was a extremely hard life that got harder when the Great Depression came.

As I watched his face as he walked through those memories, saw the wisdom gathered and stored to get him through these times of stock market turning down and wiping out his retirement pretty good.Knowing that he is okay financially due to living that hard life.Seeing the food he has stocked up on to feed himself including the apples he was making into pies and dumplings for this winter...I understand even more that my attachment to the old ways and old days aren't just a whim or passing fancy but a tribute to those that went before me and survived an existence that none of us of this generation can really understand and some just can't comprehend.

so this is for Dad and all those that walked in his shoes...

Bless you for showing we can also survive if we use the wisdom that was gained before us.

Blessed be

A Day of Celebration

Autumn Equinox
First Day of Autumn (which started at 11:13 LAST night)
Mabon

We celebrate this day,thankful for cooler weather(ok,thankful when it finally gets here) and thankful for the harvest that is coming in from the fields.

The heat of the summer is still lingering, I started gearing towards canning the late summer/early fall harverst as I have starting canning apples for sauce and looking at the pumpkin I bought to can this week.

This is the day I "fall" clean from top to bottom, decorate the house with fall colors, decorate my stand with squash( this year it is a pumpkin instead of gourds, beans, grains, nuts and an apple.I also have a cinnamon apple candle lit on it and a pot of applecider, cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange zest simmering to scent the house( not to drink, that I will make this afternoon for the evening meal).

The evening meal with be spiced hot cider( maybe iced instead),corn chowder, pork chops with apples,roasted root veggies and carrot and raisin cake for dessert.

With grateful heart of blessings that have came our way and continue thru the year.

Blessed Be

chicken

Kroger's had whole chicken for sale for 88 cents/lb here.These were regular chickens not roasters but a 5 lb fryer is still 5 lb of chicken so I picked up 4 of them.

The largest 2 went in the freezer double wrapped to protect (besides I am weird over possible chicken leaks).I know I will make at least 3 meals out of each one when I roast them. It wouldn't be unusually to end up with 4 meals if I make chicken and dumplings or chicken soup with the carcass.For around $5 per chicken that is around $1.66 per MEAL if I only make 3 meals out of one and $1.25 per MEAL if I make 4.

The other two smaller ones I cut up. I don't do a pretty job when I cut up a chicken but the pieces are recognizable.I ended up with 4 thighs which is 1 meal, 4 legs which will be a second meal,4 breasts which will be another 2 meals and I cut the wings in 3rds so the 2 larger parts will be wings for appetizer night( we eat them as a meal in a restaurant might as well at home) and the tips went in the dutch oven with the fat and backs along with an onion, 2 regular carrots and 2 stalks of celery and water.Popped in the oven to do it's thing to make broth which will convert to soup or dumplings. Figuring what it costs the smaller 2 chickens came to $8.84 with at least 5 meals out of them that is $1.77 per MEAL.Knowing I have the chicken scraps and veggies in the dutch oven cooking( heating up the kitchen again with the oven)I will have 2 more meals ( one with dumplings and one with noddles) out of it.I figure the chicken scraps are free since the cost was figured into the other meals. The jumbo onion cost me $1, the 2 regular carrots costs me 20 cents total and the 2 stalks of celery costs me 30 cents total( yes I actually counted how many stalks and how many carrost there was and divided the cost out).SO for $1.50 I have the beginnings of another 2 meals.

I make my own noodles but I know for around a dollar or so you can buy a bag of noodles..okay it might be $2 now days. Dumplings can be made with a can of biscuits( cheap and cut in fourths) for around $1.20 last time I bought biscuits.


Figuring that as an estimate...for $1.75( or $2.75 for chicken and noodles and $1.95 for chicken dumplings for a meal ...that's a good deal.

storm is rolling in so I must go...

Blessed be

YOUR MONEY GOD'S WAY

YOUR MONEY GOD’S WAY by Amie Streater

If I was with in traveling distance to attend church with this lady I would in a heart beat. Down to Earth and real is the way I would describe her and this book. She gives us ( and admits she’s done it to herself) a real kick in the pants with false beliefs and how we make dumb, dumber and dumpest choices concerning our money.

She lays the ground work for you to turn it around and do it GOD’S WAY.

This is a book that every high school student should study and it wouldn’t hurt any of us, even those that are doing well in their money matters to read and reread through the years.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

weekly chores

Ever hear of the saying Monday wash day,Tuesday ironing day,Wednesday sewing day, Thursday odd job day, Friday cleaning day( bed linen was changed this day but not washed until Monday), Saturday baking and bath day and Sunday the day of rest????

Sunday the day of rest. This one I seem to struggle with the most. GOD took a day of rest so why do I think I have to work more than he did?

As I write this it runs through my head I need to clean out the 3 refrigerators to make sure there is nothing that needs to go in the trash as it goes to the curb tonight.If I was being a good steward of my food there wouldn't be food going in the trash to begin with. I didn't do any baking yesterday so I need to make the granola bars for Hubby's lunch box today since he works tonight(his Monday.


Monday wash day is my favorite especially when I can hang clothes on the line.Though tomorrow will be a late start as I have to go to the doctor's for a check up since I've been down sick to the point of pneumonia.

Tuesday ironing day...been there done that.The best thing I can say now days if I absolutely must iron something it is going to be sprinkled with water and frozen for at least 20 min before I iron...makes it easier.Spent many years doing ironing for a living out of my home.

Wednesday sewing day...hummmm...you mean you aren't suppose to wait until the laundry basket,box or trash bag you have it stored in doesn't explode all over the place before doing it?

Thursday odd job day.I think Thursday has over ran ALL the other days of the week as this seems to be what side tracks me from doing what I should be doing instead...except laundry on Mondays.

Friday cleaning day...sigh...I really liked it when I cleaned on Monday but that no longer works because of Hubby working 3rd without overtime so he is here by 7 am( Sunday night is his Monday) and wants to go to sleep.Midget house is too small for me to move around much without waking him up so Fridays is better I guess since he doesn't work Friday nights.Still I side track a lot with Thursday odd jobs.

Saturday baking and bath day. The bath part is understandable LOL.Those that don't know, in the old days you carted water by bucket, heated it on the stove that was fired with wood(corn cobs, coal etc) and then dumped it in a metal tub that was what would be about the size of a good size round trash can cut in half.Took your bath (cleanest to dirtiest in same water) then dumped it out.Not something you cared to do every day.They did daily take what is fondly called sponge baths or sink baths...in other words "WASHED UP" using a pan of water( still heated on the stove) instead of the full bath.

Baking was done on this day for the week. When the kids were little we went through a loaf of bread each meal.Take it back in time and I would have had to bake at least 21 loaves of bread a week if not more due to working more manual labor then we do now. Along with cakes, pies and cookies on Saturday.This would not be throwing a mix together or thawing out dough but making it and letting it rise( sometimes twice) before baking.It wasn't unusual when I was baking bread to bake 3 loaves with a sheet cake under them at the same time.

Have a Blessed day

corn cob jelly and syrup

first my days have been completely in taking care of Sammy in his final days here with us in this world so this got shoved back..again...some more...

Corn cob syrup and jelly...

don't matter which one you are going to make both start the same.

12 corn cobs that have had the corn cut off...I used ones that I cut off the corn for freezing.

6 cups of water to cover corn

bring to a boil and simmer for 30 min.

strain (I don't strain because I like corn particals in my syrup and jelly)

now here is where the difference lies....

FOR JELLY you need to have 3 cups of corn juice so if there is not enough "juice" add water until you have 3 cups. Add 1 pkg of pectin and bring to a rolling boil.Stir in 3 cups of sugar and boil for 2-3 min or it reaches jelly stage.Pour in to clean jelly jars and process in canner according to the same directions as apple jelly.

FOR SYRUP measure what ever corn juice there is...for light syrup add 3/4 cup of sugar, medium syrup would be 1 cup of sugar and heavy syrup would be 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 10 to 15 min until all sugar is dissolved.

process in canner same as apple jelly.

I do use corn cob jelly and syrup on corn bread or Mexican desserts...

I will note here that any time I have a jelly that doesn't set...it gets used as a syrup instead.