Well, today I am trying my hand at canning some beef. I know that it can be done because it has a list of recipes in my canning bible. I also know because when we were cleaning out my great-aunt's house, we found a bunch of jars of canned meat in the basement. They had shed snake skins wrapped all around them so there is no telling how old they were, but they still looked edible. But we didn't. dumped it all out in the fire pit we had dug to burn all of the other trash. Saved the jars though.
But anyway...
I am running out of freezer space so I thought I would try the whole canning thing. I figured stew meat was going to be the best option and the easiest to do. Pressure canning it should make it really tender. We will see.
If it works out, I may try to do some chicken next. That would be very convenient for those nights this winter when I really don't feel like cooking. That would almost be instant soup or chicken salad. I probably won't can up a lot of meat. Can't really afford to, but when I can find a really good sale, it is an extra option. And it will be nice to have a few quick meals ready for those nights when I will be chasing kids after school.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
The way I have always done it...
I started thinking about the things that I do every day without any conscious though. Cooking, canning, sewing, all of the things that my mom and grandma did everyday. It was always fun for me to help Mom sew a new dress or even a swim suit. I had a lot of home made swim suits.
I can do all of this stuff and do it without thought. But I guess most people really don't have a clue how to do alot of it. Most people can cook, at least enough to keep from starving, but it involves meal kits, boxes of prepared seasonings, and frozen meals. I find that those foods really just don't appeal to me. I like the taste of unpackaged gravy, home made biscuits, fresh jams and jellies, home made burritos, fresh from the oven bread, and freshly churned butter. I think that most people do. They just don't realize that it isn't hard to make a loaf of bread or a pan of biscuits.
Canning is another thing that just about anyone can do. It isn't difficult, but it is time consuming. If you have a garden, or access to one, canning is the perfect way to save summer goodness for winter. All it takes is a pressure canner, some jars, and the time to do it. My mother in law worked full time as a teacher for 30 years and still managed to put up a big garden every year. Jams and jellies can be done in less than an hour and don't even require a canner. If you don't have a freezer but do have a canner, you can even store meat in jars safely when it goes on sale. And the meat is already cooked when you get ready to use it for a fast meal. Spend the $4-$6 dollars for a "Ball Blue Book of Preserving". It is the canning Bible and will tell you processing times and recipes for preserving just about anything edible. Canning, Freezing and Drying are all in there. Great book for any one wanting to save grocery money.
Sewing does take a little bit of skill and a lot of patience. If you are new to sewing, study up on the terminology before you start cutting. It really does make a difference. But you can keep your entire family well dressed for a fraction of the cost of buying from the department stores. And if you shop at The Global Mass Marketer, they often sell fabric for $1-$2 dollars a yard. The average short sleeved mens button up shirt takes about 2 yards. So for $4 worth of fabric, some buttons, thread, and a pattern, you can make a shirt for your favorite man. Some children's clothes take less than a yard. A basic, knee length straight skirt for yourself can take as little as 1 yard, depending on the style and your size. A pair of shorts, or a pull over top are about a yard.
So I guess what it boils down to is that I do things to save money without even thinking about it. That was just how I was raised.
I can do all of this stuff and do it without thought. But I guess most people really don't have a clue how to do alot of it. Most people can cook, at least enough to keep from starving, but it involves meal kits, boxes of prepared seasonings, and frozen meals. I find that those foods really just don't appeal to me. I like the taste of unpackaged gravy, home made biscuits, fresh jams and jellies, home made burritos, fresh from the oven bread, and freshly churned butter. I think that most people do. They just don't realize that it isn't hard to make a loaf of bread or a pan of biscuits.
Canning is another thing that just about anyone can do. It isn't difficult, but it is time consuming. If you have a garden, or access to one, canning is the perfect way to save summer goodness for winter. All it takes is a pressure canner, some jars, and the time to do it. My mother in law worked full time as a teacher for 30 years and still managed to put up a big garden every year. Jams and jellies can be done in less than an hour and don't even require a canner. If you don't have a freezer but do have a canner, you can even store meat in jars safely when it goes on sale. And the meat is already cooked when you get ready to use it for a fast meal. Spend the $4-$6 dollars for a "Ball Blue Book of Preserving". It is the canning Bible and will tell you processing times and recipes for preserving just about anything edible. Canning, Freezing and Drying are all in there. Great book for any one wanting to save grocery money.
Sewing does take a little bit of skill and a lot of patience. If you are new to sewing, study up on the terminology before you start cutting. It really does make a difference. But you can keep your entire family well dressed for a fraction of the cost of buying from the department stores. And if you shop at The Global Mass Marketer, they often sell fabric for $1-$2 dollars a yard. The average short sleeved mens button up shirt takes about 2 yards. So for $4 worth of fabric, some buttons, thread, and a pattern, you can make a shirt for your favorite man. Some children's clothes take less than a yard. A basic, knee length straight skirt for yourself can take as little as 1 yard, depending on the style and your size. A pair of shorts, or a pull over top are about a yard.
So I guess what it boils down to is that I do things to save money without even thinking about it. That was just how I was raised.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Summer Canning
I am sorry that I haven't posted in a while but I have been busy canning. So far this week, I have put up:
55 ears of corn
17 jars of Purple Hull Peas
9 quarts of cranberry beans
3 pints of mango
3 pints of mushrooms
5 heads of cauliflower
4 quarts of cabbage
13 jars of apple butter
and
11 jars of plum jam
And I am not done yet. I still have to put up some more mangoes and make another batch of onion relish. I would like to get some more beans this weekend and get those canned.
A guy that my husband works with gave us the plums so I gave him some of the jam. I think he may give us some more plums so I will have to find something to do with them. We really don't need any more jam.
I still want to get some peaches and maybe some more peas.
I have discovered a problem though. I really don't have any place to put any of this stuff. My pantry is already full and I don't have a closet anywhere in the house with space enough for a single 1/2 pint jar. But if this plan works out, we will be eating good on the cheap this winter.
55 ears of corn
17 jars of Purple Hull Peas
9 quarts of cranberry beans
3 pints of mango
3 pints of mushrooms
5 heads of cauliflower
4 quarts of cabbage
13 jars of apple butter
and
11 jars of plum jam
And I am not done yet. I still have to put up some more mangoes and make another batch of onion relish. I would like to get some more beans this weekend and get those canned.
A guy that my husband works with gave us the plums so I gave him some of the jam. I think he may give us some more plums so I will have to find something to do with them. We really don't need any more jam.
I still want to get some peaches and maybe some more peas.
I have discovered a problem though. I really don't have any place to put any of this stuff. My pantry is already full and I don't have a closet anywhere in the house with space enough for a single 1/2 pint jar. But if this plan works out, we will be eating good on the cheap this winter.
Monday, July 7, 2008
July 4th, economy, save cash
Dealing with the family is always fun, and this last weekend was no exception. My mother in law is always shocked that I know how to do anything around the house, including but not limited to, canning food.
There also doesn't seem to be any understanding at all about modern economics. All she understands is that gas prices are going up. But that shouldn't stop us from making the 3 hour trip to come see her at every opportunity. After all, what is $4.00 a gallon gas when she doesn't have to buy it.
I did get to spend some time with my niece over the holiday. She finally ditched the dead beat boyfriend that she had been supporting for the last couple of years and is learning how to be a person. She thinks it is just awesome that I can sew, can, bake bread, smoke meat, make butter, and all of that other "hippy" stuff. Personally, I don't think of it as hippy, I think of it as making as much as I can so that I don't have to buy it.
I tried to pick my dad's brain about how his grandparents did all of the daily living things, and he just looked at me like I was crazy. He went on to explain that where his house is now was a pasture for a milk cow and her calf and that the house only had a fire place and a cook stove for heat. Personally, I am fine with that. I grew up with wood heat.
We talked a little while about how we are over consumers and spoiled to the niceties that aren't really necessary. Like the AC. He said that he had heard the cost of electricity was probably going to double in the next year and if that happened, he would be in serious trouble. He is already paying $300 a month for his electric bill. And on a fixed income, he will just have to live in the dark if it goes up very much. He really doesn't have a problem with opening the windows instead of running the AC, but his wife is a city girl who never had to hang out clothes or grow her own food. And she is a neat freak, so the dust from the gravel road would just drive her over the edge.
I am always looking for ways to cut our costs and live a little healthier. My husband will not let me have any chickens or other livestock while we live in town though. It kinda sucks, but I can understand his point of view. I don't really care what the neighbors think of us, but I also don't want the cops called on us because our rooster can't tell the difference between morning and midnight.
So, we will just plod along as best as we can and hope that things don't go to pot too quickly and that we have the time to get ourselves into position before the world collapses in on us.
There also doesn't seem to be any understanding at all about modern economics. All she understands is that gas prices are going up. But that shouldn't stop us from making the 3 hour trip to come see her at every opportunity. After all, what is $4.00 a gallon gas when she doesn't have to buy it.
I did get to spend some time with my niece over the holiday. She finally ditched the dead beat boyfriend that she had been supporting for the last couple of years and is learning how to be a person. She thinks it is just awesome that I can sew, can, bake bread, smoke meat, make butter, and all of that other "hippy" stuff. Personally, I don't think of it as hippy, I think of it as making as much as I can so that I don't have to buy it.
I tried to pick my dad's brain about how his grandparents did all of the daily living things, and he just looked at me like I was crazy. He went on to explain that where his house is now was a pasture for a milk cow and her calf and that the house only had a fire place and a cook stove for heat. Personally, I am fine with that. I grew up with wood heat.
We talked a little while about how we are over consumers and spoiled to the niceties that aren't really necessary. Like the AC. He said that he had heard the cost of electricity was probably going to double in the next year and if that happened, he would be in serious trouble. He is already paying $300 a month for his electric bill. And on a fixed income, he will just have to live in the dark if it goes up very much. He really doesn't have a problem with opening the windows instead of running the AC, but his wife is a city girl who never had to hang out clothes or grow her own food. And she is a neat freak, so the dust from the gravel road would just drive her over the edge.
I am always looking for ways to cut our costs and live a little healthier. My husband will not let me have any chickens or other livestock while we live in town though. It kinda sucks, but I can understand his point of view. I don't really care what the neighbors think of us, but I also don't want the cops called on us because our rooster can't tell the difference between morning and midnight.
So, we will just plod along as best as we can and hope that things don't go to pot too quickly and that we have the time to get ourselves into position before the world collapses in on us.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Build your own home
I recently read an article about building a house without a mortgage. The family did most of the work, lived on site, and paid for supplies in bits and pieces, as they could. It actually was a very nice looking house.
That would probably be the best way to go on building a house for ourselves. That way we can get exactly what we want, without having to make due with what ever we can find. It would also allow us to use salvaged materials like windows and doors to save money. If I want a big laundry room, all I have to do is build it that way. We can dig a basement/ root cellar and build the house on top of it without having to worry too much about hitting a water pipe or a gas line.
Granted, that would also mean that we would have to do the work. I am convinced that we CAN do if we set our minds to it. We would probably have to hire out the plumbing and electric though. I really don't want to compromise on the safety on that sort of thing. Could we do it? Sure. Do we want to run the risk of burning down the house or having the plumbing back up into the kitchen? Nope. So that will be an expense we would have to deal with.
I really like the idea of building it ourself. Not only could we spend more money on the land, it would give us some quality family time together. And the kids might accidentally learn something useful.
Here is the link to the article I read.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2002-02-01/Build-Your-Own-Home-and-be-Debt-Free.aspx
I guess this will just have to be something to think about.
That would probably be the best way to go on building a house for ourselves. That way we can get exactly what we want, without having to make due with what ever we can find. It would also allow us to use salvaged materials like windows and doors to save money. If I want a big laundry room, all I have to do is build it that way. We can dig a basement/ root cellar and build the house on top of it without having to worry too much about hitting a water pipe or a gas line.
Granted, that would also mean that we would have to do the work. I am convinced that we CAN do if we set our minds to it. We would probably have to hire out the plumbing and electric though. I really don't want to compromise on the safety on that sort of thing. Could we do it? Sure. Do we want to run the risk of burning down the house or having the plumbing back up into the kitchen? Nope. So that will be an expense we would have to deal with.
I really like the idea of building it ourself. Not only could we spend more money on the land, it would give us some quality family time together. And the kids might accidentally learn something useful.
Here is the link to the article I read.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2002-02-01/Build-Your-Own-Home-and-be-Debt-Free.aspx
I guess this will just have to be something to think about.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Home hair cuts
Well, I just cut my husband's hair for the first time. and he is actually pleased with it. I really didn't do too much to it, really just a trim, but he has decided that I should be the one to cut his hair from now on.
We did pay $12 for some clippers that we didn't use, but the package had a comb and some scissors with it that I did use. So we actually paid for the haircut by buying the clippers but we will not have that expense next time. So that is at least another $12 a month we will be saving.
As for the rest of us, both my daughter and I have long hair(mine is down to my knees) so all we need is a trim to my bangs and a trim on the bottom of hers. My son is letting his grow out too, much to his grandmother's despair. So the only haircut that happens on a regular basis is my husband's. And since he is satisfied with my efforts, it looks like I will be doing his from now on. Scary.
But 12 bucks is still 12 bucks. I am glad that he is pleased with it. I used to cut my Dad's hair, when he still had some, way back when, but I haven't done that really in close to 20 years. I cut the kid's hair when they were babies, but again, that too has been a good long while. To say that I am out of practice is a major understatement. I guess that with a little more practice, it will come back to me. I might even get good at it. Who knows.
But it nice to know that when push comes to shove, I can do it.
We did pay $12 for some clippers that we didn't use, but the package had a comb and some scissors with it that I did use. So we actually paid for the haircut by buying the clippers but we will not have that expense next time. So that is at least another $12 a month we will be saving.
As for the rest of us, both my daughter and I have long hair(mine is down to my knees) so all we need is a trim to my bangs and a trim on the bottom of hers. My son is letting his grow out too, much to his grandmother's despair. So the only haircut that happens on a regular basis is my husband's. And since he is satisfied with my efforts, it looks like I will be doing his from now on. Scary.
But 12 bucks is still 12 bucks. I am glad that he is pleased with it. I used to cut my Dad's hair, when he still had some, way back when, but I haven't done that really in close to 20 years. I cut the kid's hair when they were babies, but again, that too has been a good long while. To say that I am out of practice is a major understatement. I guess that with a little more practice, it will come back to me. I might even get good at it. Who knows.
But it nice to know that when push comes to shove, I can do it.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Supreme Court Ruling
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States made a landmark decision to allow us to keep the Second Amendment to our Constitution. It was a very narrow vote, 5 to 4, against the proposal to make owning a firearm illegal in this country. Apparently, there was a lot of discussion as to whether or not the words "bear arms" was only intended for militia or for every citizen of the US.
Granted, I do not personally own a firearm of any kind, but it isn't for any reason other than I don't really need one. When I was growing up, we had a house full. My Daddy made sure we all knew how to take apart, clean, put back together, and fire accurately every gun in the house as soon as we were old enough to hold it steady. I got to be a pretty good shot with a rifle and a decent shot with a pistol. The only one I hated having to shoot was the 357 Magnum long barrel. That thing wasn't good for anything but killing someone. I could fire it accurately, but I didn't like it.
My husband isn't really much of a hunter, he said that he got his 2 so he doesn't have to do it again, and we don't live in a high crime area. We have been talking about getting a shot gun, just to have, you know, in case, but we haven't yet. But I will be danged if I let the Liberal, Socialist, "guns kill people" Right Wing Federal Government and their bought and paid for Judges tell me that I CAN'T.
There is a reason the Supreme Court was created. That reason was to protect the Constitution and it's ideals from abuses by the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government. Now that same court is denying it's own purpose by trying to set law in a backhanded way.
There are some things that just set me off. Don't tell me what I can't do. Don't tell me how to raise my kids. And DO NOT jack with the Constitution and the rights it gives us and the ones it upholds as inalienable. You remember, "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"? Those are not just words. We have already given away a vast majority of our Liberty in the name of Security.
But personally, I think that if we had not given up any of our liberties, we would not be having a security problem. Giving up our guns would just be one more way to make the US a police state. After all, it has worked so well in the UK.
Granted, I do not personally own a firearm of any kind, but it isn't for any reason other than I don't really need one. When I was growing up, we had a house full. My Daddy made sure we all knew how to take apart, clean, put back together, and fire accurately every gun in the house as soon as we were old enough to hold it steady. I got to be a pretty good shot with a rifle and a decent shot with a pistol. The only one I hated having to shoot was the 357 Magnum long barrel. That thing wasn't good for anything but killing someone. I could fire it accurately, but I didn't like it.
My husband isn't really much of a hunter, he said that he got his 2 so he doesn't have to do it again, and we don't live in a high crime area. We have been talking about getting a shot gun, just to have, you know, in case, but we haven't yet. But I will be danged if I let the Liberal, Socialist, "guns kill people" Right Wing Federal Government and their bought and paid for Judges tell me that I CAN'T.
There is a reason the Supreme Court was created. That reason was to protect the Constitution and it's ideals from abuses by the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government. Now that same court is denying it's own purpose by trying to set law in a backhanded way.
There are some things that just set me off. Don't tell me what I can't do. Don't tell me how to raise my kids. And DO NOT jack with the Constitution and the rights it gives us and the ones it upholds as inalienable. You remember, "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"? Those are not just words. We have already given away a vast majority of our Liberty in the name of Security.
But personally, I think that if we had not given up any of our liberties, we would not be having a security problem. Giving up our guns would just be one more way to make the US a police state. After all, it has worked so well in the UK.
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