Easy Vermicomposting

We had lots of educational fun at Nature Fest again this year. 

The kids sat through salamanders, bats, and of course, Birds of Prey. 

(Probably the trophy of the fest for kids!)

 For me, along with the bliss of sitting in a class taught by the local legend, Hector Black, we also got to listen to an amazing organic farmer, Randy Dodson, from The Waters Farm.

I've met his son and another worker on their farm and they all are a wealth of information!

Vermicomposting was one of Mr. Dodson's demonstrations.

It's a subject that I've wanted to learn more about but online sources and books often made it sound SO complicated. 

But Mr. Dodson made it as simple as pie!

(Vermicompost is used just as compost, manure, fertilizer, etc. So this is a cheap DIY project to keep your gardens frugal and productive!)
 
 Ready?

First- a tub or empty container with 2 rows of air holes. Don't make the lower row too low or all of your worms will escape. (Some might regardless.)

You can use old ones, yard sale finds, or they are a little over $5 at Walmart.

Next, place some moistened cardboard in the bottom. (I used rainwater to moisten mine.)Worms apparently aren't exceptionally picky, and just about any cardboard will work.But not too compact, just a layer will do.

Moistened cardboard on the bottom.

 Next; add some composted horse manure, a little peat moss,dirt, vermiculite, or a mix. I used year old horse manure. (Be aware of your horse manure- if they've wormed the horses and this isn't aged- it will uhm, worm your worms!)

You will want to moisten this.It needs to be wet enough to drip one or two drops of water if squeezed with one hand, but not standing in water.

Some nice composted manure, thoroughly moistened.

Worms need grit for their crops- who would have thought? You can use a handful of sand if you have it. I plan to get a handful from the creek later and add to my mix but for now, I've ground some egg shells and added that.

Now-Where are you going to get your worms?

Uncle Jim's is a good place if you must purchase them, I hear. But as for me- I think worms should be free! And, whaddaya know, so they are! See?

WORMS!!!

I keep a few boards thrown around the yard. (Yeah, my poor neighbors! :) But seriously, I don't know if they can even see them.) ...I started this habit for my chickens as a means of collecting a bug and worm feast for them. If you leave it long enough, you will find that you have plenty of worms to harvest for your compost. Try to get as close to a pound as possible, or more. Babies too! It's suggested to use 1 to 2lbs per square foot of bedding/dirt/compost.

Red worms usually stay in the top 3 to 4 inches of ground and will surface right under a board or anything left laying around for a while. Just turn several spots over with a shovel and break apart the clod and pick your worms.

Add the little squirmers to their new home. (Be aware that some will try to sneak out. It's okay, it doesn't mean you're a bad landlord! Enough will stay if you keep the apartment nice and comfy!)

You can use some shredded cardboard and tiny bits of kitchen scraps (just a handful!) to feed them. Just lay on top of the bed/soil. (They supposedly love the cardboard, which is why I guess you use so much of it in this process.)

Mr. Dodson said the waste from juicers is especially a treat since it's already so broken down and they particularly like sweets, like banana peels. You do not want to overfeed. It can build up mildew and ick, and harm the worms. Not to mention a smell! ...But if you have time to chop up your scraps, it will give them a head start, but isn't necessary.

What else can you feed them? Coffee grounds, wet hay, grass clippings, melon rinds, and other fruit and veggie scraps.

You will feed them once or twice a week, if previous feedings are gone.(They only eat about their body weight a day. So- if you can weigh the worms you add, that will give you a tiny idea of how much to feed.) I tried to start slow with feedings so as to avoid a problem. Also, you don't want to develop a 'composting' situation, so only add small bits of scraps.Otherwise it could heat up and harm your worms.

Bits or moistened cardboard, and kitchen scraps.

Now, finally, you will wet another big piece of cardboard.( I have 2 tubs (beside the rain barrels) in my yard where I can easily dip the cardboard and swish it side to side.) Then, just tuck them in and let them work their magic!

You need to keep them shaded. Remember they like it dark, they're used to being underground. You will need to keep them completely shaded , or in the garage, barn, etc. (There are vermicomposters that go under your kitchen sink. Pricey, though.) If using a dark container, which is good as far as keeping it dark, you will need to especially avoid the sunshine.

If you have them outside, you will have to pay more attention to moisture. Temps need to be between 60 and 80F. At 85-90F, they will leave and/or die.(They seem to be able to tolerate freezing temps and I asked if the containers could be sunken in the ground during the winter to help preserve them. Yes!)

 

One big 'blanket' of moistened cardboard to tuck them into their new home!

You will need to add water to the dirt to keep moistened. Better to keep it on the wet side than to have it dry out. Worms must have moisture, else they will start packing their bags and trying to get out! Worms can live in water, but they can't live where it's dry. (They are driven out of the ground during rain, for lack of oxygen.)

If you were to notice the least little bit of mildew or mold, I suggest you remove as much food scraps as possible, scrape the icky stuff out, allow it to stand outside (still kept dark by the cardboard covering) in a shady spot to air out some. Don't add anymore food for a few days until the problem resolves.

Gradually over time, your tub will fill up. Worms can double every 90 to 100 days if conditions are great, and that means faster fills in your tubs! And possibly more tubs! Think of the possibilities! Worm cousins, great-great-great cousins, great-great-great-great-great aunts!?!?!!

You can scrape your worms from the top, keeping the castings (ie worm manure, worm poop :) mostly in the bottom and ready for use in your gardens.

There are different methods to do this. You can just take the top 4 inches off and create another bin, and whatever worms may be in the castings can just go into your gardens. 

You can scrape off the top and pick through it for the worms, if you like. ...Boring!

You can even dump mounds of it onto a covered table late in the evening or after dark. Use an overhead lamp (let it hover over the mound for 10 minutes or so), which will drive the worms down so you can scrape the castings off the top. Do this little at a time until you've went through the whole bin.

You can also rotate which side of the container you feed them on. Before harvesting, you will know more which side they are on.

And their are other more elaborate systems you can research if you like.(Some with screens and stackable drawers.)

Vermicompost apparently has more nitrogen, higher nutrients, higher moisture (70%), and other benefits. It makes a great compost tea; suggested soak/steep 24 hours to retain the benefits. It can also be added straight to the garden after collection, as it won't burn like other manures.

The worms are also of value to expand your vermicomposts as they grow and reproduce, you can start more bins, feed them to your chickens, or sell to fishermen!

The biggest two problems?
Overfeeding and not enough water. 

If this can be kept in balance-  why you might could have an entire worm colony!

Happy frugal gardening!

 Isa 51:8  For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Homemade Fire Starters

Well, it's almost time to cover the stove pipes and enjoy the warmth of summer, but it's not too early to be planning for next winter's fires!

 

Note to self: Must cover stove pipe before another bird get's down it!

I have already started to collect some items, otherwise known as 'garbage', to use for next year's fires in the wood stove.

I used them a lot in late winter and early spring and found them to work better (for me) and they are made from items that are basically free!

(Those starter logs and sticks are expensive!)

 

The garbage you need?

Toilet paper rolls and lint from the dryer.

 

What you need to buy on the cheap?

Petroleum jelly. 

(But a little goes a long way!)

It only takes a teaspoon or two of the p.j. and you spread it thinly inside the rolls.

Then lightly stuff with lint, no need to pack.

If you like, you can wrap the lint in one square of tissue paper and leave it sticking out a little to use as a wick, but it's not necessary.

One little boy here likes to go out in his socks- can you tell from the straw?

There you have it- fire starters on the frugal!

Psa 104:4-5  Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

Make Your Own Homemade Slides for Microscopes

Last year, one of our friends from the local college let us have an older microscope, per policy, on "long-term-loan." It has 10x and 40x objectives and I really would love it, if we could add a more powerful one (not sure that's possible) because as of yet, we've not been able to view anything 'wiggling'. (Maybe we're looking in the wrong place!) ...But we have seen some pretty cool stuff!

I think our favorites are hair- animal hair. The goat hair was neat in that the grey was distinctively different from the black. The cat hair was awesome, in that it looked like it had vertical chambers. Weird! And cool!

But- slides were an issue- so- we made some!

We used simple index cards, cutting a 'window' out of the center and using clear tape to make a 'glass' and to hold our samples in place.We left the 'windows' kinda big so more light would show through.

You could also use thin cardboard, like cereal boxes are made from.

We collected all sorts of little things to look at!

Here are some of the interesting things that we looked at;
-goat hair
-cat hair
-human hair
-local honey
-storebought honey
-water that's been standing in a bucket outside
-broccoli
-yeast
-strawberry leaves
-banana
-lint
-dust
-leaves (from trees, plants, etc- old dry leaves were really cool)
-chives
-dried dill
-pencil shavings
-straw
-corn husk
-beetle
-gnat (this was cool because it had WAVY hairs on it's legs)
-coffee grounds
-salt (at 10x these looked like ice cubes)
-black pepper
-mustard seeds
-onion skin
-bathroom paper
-cypress clipping (this was cool too, in that, we've always known this tree to kind of 'stick to us' but under the microscope, we were able to see why- tiny hooks on it's edges!)

Any of you girls found neat things to view under your scopes?
Would love to hear from any of you who have them on tips to make the most use of them!

Job 5:9  Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number

Oh...how He loves us so!...Counting Blessings Today and the "Little Things"

Think the Lord doesn't know the delights of your heart? Think He doesn't care about the 'little things'? Think He doesn't know how to say "I love you" really loudly to your heart, in a very quiet way?

Psa 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

I am convinced that the Lord knows the keys to our hearts and wants to remind us of His love for us and His care over the smallest details of our lives.

Here's some of the ways that the Lord knows blesses me:
-Jesus, the bible
-my children (and when someone blesses them, I'm blessed!)
-chocolate and/or coffee (mixed? even better!)
-teas, especially herbal and exotics
-books (can there be too many books!?!?!)
-flowers, especially those for the yard and gardens, because they keep giving!
-treats for the kids (For some, this might be candy bars, but personally I get a real kick when God gives them some good-for-you food stuffs or gives things to me to feed them. It says to my heart; "I care about their health too.")
-needful items like cleaners, toiletries and the like

The box of tea in the picture above, is one of several little blessings the Lord has slipped my way in recent weeks. This is not just plain black tea...this box has lots of chai teas, lots of WHITE chai teas. A sweet blessing to me for you see, there's one flavor in this box that reminds me of a most special tea that was bought for me years ago at an (expensive) tea shop in Nashville. It was amazing!( ..Along with a chocolate tea that is most worthy of mention :)  ...It's a unique flavor and I'm sure it's yucky to some, but to me, it's bliss! And - God knew that! A little thing.

Ezek 47:12  And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat... and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

One day this week, we had 2 large bags of items that we were taking to someone, in hopes of being the 'blessor'....but, as God would have it, we walked away being the definite 'blessee'. We had a bag, that I almost couldn't carry, full of toiletries, a wicker basket, and some clothing items that had been on the 'needed list'. There were also multiple (at least 3!) items in this mix that the boys had told me within the last few days that we were "out of"...their little things. (God- He just wows me sometimes!)

 Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

We were also given 2 very large stacks of books to borrow. ....Drooling....Lots of classics in these stacks. Dracula, Frankenstein, (I didn't know it, but one of the kids had been desiring to read those!)The Tale of Two Cities, Grimm's (Woo hoo!), Aesop's Fables, Nancy Drew (dd's favorites), and even a few Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, which a couple of the boys like. (There's also some Madeleine L'engle books in the mix that I don't know much about. Any of you girls????) ...She also told me when we finished them, we could come back and trade them out for more! Gasp!

Eccl 12:12  ... of making many books there is no end...

In that mix of books was also a boxed dvd kit of classics produced by PBS. The kids had been asking for a movie!

That's another thing I'm thankful for.....For the past three months or so, I don't think our television has even been on. We don't have a tv upstairs, just one in the den, where the wood stove is, which would make one think we'd be cuddled there all winter....and we were a lot of times, but not watching tv. We were building card houses, working puzzles, talking, reading books, breaking open hickory nuts (bartered for with bread), and one big chunk of time has been used for going through the Bible with this one book; Four Thousand Questions and Answers from the Bible   - given to us many months ago. This book is older, has quite a few grammar flaws and typos, and I think it stretches some of it's typology theology, but it's fantastic for going through the Bible stories, hitting highlights, tying verses from the OT and NT, and also geology. We've used the globe and the internet to look up the cities that it mentions, or more often than not, at this point, the ruins of the cities....But that book...that's stirred up so much interest, was just a little thing, almost passed over in the midst of other books. A little thing, that God is using, to stir the bigger things in His precious Word for my children. -Just, wow!

One year ago, I might have had a couple of skirts and a handful of shirts. That was fine, I wasn't involved in much and I really had no need of more. The Lord has filled my closet this year, just as I needed them. Giving me shoes, skirts, blouses, sweaters, coats, and jackets. I was given a pair of new shoes for Christmas! My son and precious daughter-in-law also sent me a gift card for my birthday and insisted I spend it on myself. I was able to add several denim skirts to my closet, which I love for comfort and lack-of-ironing! :)  The little thing in this was that I had ripped the favored denim skirt last year,beyond repair, and He gave me more than one back. You think He knows about my slackness in ironing?

1 Tim 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The children have also been blessed. I think Kemmie has more clothes than all of us put together! But God knows, he is in those years where that is important and I think He is showing Kemmie now, in preparation for the future- I am your Provider and I can do exceeding, abundantly above all that you ask, or think. (Say on, Lord! Say on!)........And he might as well enjoy civies now- hooyah!

One of my children has taken a special interest in certain types of books. God has put some very, VERY special people in our lives this past year and this couple has seen to it, that this little fella has had numerous books to read on this special topic. (The goodness of God to my children is a bottomless well of blessing! When God taps into blessing in that area- my cup runneth over and over and over.)

Psa 90:17  And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

 Psa 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Why are flowers so special to me? I dunno, perhaps it's really a reflection of the beauty of God to my soul. When I see the individuality and the beauty of each flower, the attention to detail- it just stirs my heart. It reminds me God does care about the little things- the details- the specifics! And- there is beauty in the Lord.

Mat 6:29 .... That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.



My daughter has honed her love for drawing this year. God has blessed her with the needs to make that happen. ....Such a small, small thing in some ways; but giant in this child's life. (When God reaches out to my children, it humbles me to my core, reminding me of my great privilege to share in God's divine purposes for them, of which, I'm not worthy. (But that He allows me to; THAT, is awesome.)

Isa 54:13  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

We've been given several pounds of apples lately and a ton of home-raised pork fat to render for lard. Now, apples speak for themselves- they're just good! But- let me tell you about the little things hidden in the lard! You see, hidden in the DNA of my children, is a predisposition to some auto-immune problems. One of those is craftily connected to low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is stored in the fat of pigs raised on farms and raised naturally. Such were the former days of Wilbur! (Convinced you yet, that He cares about the little things?) 

 Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

You know what's in those jars? Bacon grease. Yep, just plain ole bacon grease. It was given to me. What's so great about that? ... I said on Facebook once; "You know somebody loves you when they give you their bacon grease!" ...But it says so much more than that. It says; "Every time I cooked bacon, I took the time to strain this grease off for you...Every time I cooked bacon, I thought about you. When I wiped the drips off of this jar, I did it for you. When I sat these by the door before I went to bed so I wouldn't forget to bring them the next day, I was thinking about you." Sure, this is just a little thing, in some ways, but how could I take for granted the times God had someone think of me during that process and to go through trouble, for me?! I don't see that as so little. That's a great big "I love and care about you", to me. (Thank you God. I heard it.)

And for me, I think the little things are humbling. They help with all of those yucky pride issues. And speaking of pride, and fat (lard-grease), this verse is almost funny to me, in that it reminds me of how old-timers would talk.

 Psa 119:70  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

Isa 44:4  And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
(Note- willows by water courses equals BIG trees very quickly!)

One final little thing which is really a big thing. The willows are starting to bud out with tiny leaves and even the grass is starting to regrow. No big deal, right? This happens every year. I doubt anyone but my family pays any mind to those willow trees. Little things. ...But, I've noticed something big about this process every year.You see, every fall, that tree 'dies' and goes dormant. It's a little thing especially since it's leaves don't really turn some magnificent color. The tree also goes through this seemingly little process of blooming back out every spring as well. No big deal. But you know what, it seems to me, that every time that tree 'dies', it comes back a little bigger, a little stronger, has a little more character, and more shade and beauty. I'd dare to make a wager, that tree grows when it's 'dead'. You reading between the lines about this little thing? :)

We go through winter sometimes- but even in winter God is doing something to our root system! Just a little thing, no one can see, as it's just under the surface. But oh how big it is! How great it is! How very important it is- these little things.It is good to take note of them, to be mindful of them, to watch for them, and to make full use of them- the little things.

A strand of hair is a very small thing but-

Mat 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.


1 Pet 5:7  ... he careth for you.

Menu Plan: February 3, 2014

Sunday:
-Breakfast Cookies
-(lots! of)pizza- treat from a friend (the bigger treat was her time!)
-chili-cheese popcorn (since my kids heard Brandy does this sometimes..it's been a fave!)
snacks: ice cream, heated leftover chicken
Total cost approx. per day: $1.50
Monday:
-Kefir Pancakes from the freezer
-Garlic Cheese Breads w/sauteed onions on leftover sub rolls
-Beef Soft Tacos, beans and rice
snacks: leftover rice w/ butter and honey
Total cost approx. per day: $4.75
Tuesday:
-Gingerbread Pancakes from the freezer
-Pumpkin Soup from home canned pumpkin and broth, Homemade Brown-n-Serve Rolls
-Shredded Turkey w/gravy over rice, home canned green beans
snacks:leftover rolls and homemade jelly
Total cost approx. per day: (We were given a turkey and I aim to make the most of it this week!) $1.50
Wednesday:
-Apple-Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal
-Turkey Noodle Soup, Pantry Cake
-Beans (freezer), home canned beets, Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
snacks: leftover cake
Total cost approx. per day: $2.75
Thursday:
-Chocolate Granola and milk
-Zucchini Soup (shredded zukes from freezer, and homemade broth), Quick Dinner Muffins, homemade jam
-Turkey-Cheddar Wraps, sweet potato fries (free from friend)
snacks: leftover muffins and homemade jelly
Total cost approx. per day: $3.00
Friday:
-Nutty Maple Granola
-Turkey Salad Wraps, Rugelach
-leftovers
snacks: kefir smoothie
Total cost approx. per day: $2.75
Saturday: 
-Homemade Cream of Wheat
-PB and J, leftover Rugelach
-leftover Turkey Salad, Coleslaw
snacks: leftovers
Total approx. cost per day: $2.00

Bean Loaf

Often I've used beans to stretch my meatloaves but I decided to go all bean today and just see what happened. What do you think? :)

Looks okay, huh?

How does it taste? Yummy

Is it obvious that it's not meat? Well, yeah.

Could you add a little meat to give it a better pass with suspicious eaters? Certainly!

More frugal than meat? Absolutely!

You could use any beans; pinto might be the best but I used cranberry beans for this one.

I can't seem to make up my mind on how 'mashed' they need to be though.

Left a little chunky, they give a meat-like texture but perhaps completely mashed they might be less obviously beans. 

BEAN LOAF

2 1/2 cups beans

1 chopped onion sauteed in fat (bacon grease is a good choice!)

1 t minced garlic

1/2 t salt

1/4 t ground marjoram

1 t Worcestershire Sauce

dash of black pepper

1/4 t garlic powder (plus a sprinkle for the top)

1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs (about 2 slices of bread)

3/4 cup rolled oats

2/3 cup ketchup

2 eggs

top: 

3 to 4 T ketchup

garlic powder

dried parsley

Mash beans and blend with garlic, salt, marjoram, Worcestershire, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Add ketchup, eggs, oats, and bread crumbs.

Lastly blend in the onions once they've cooled slightly.

Spread in sprayed loaf pan and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Spread on ketchup and sprinkle lightly with garlic powder and dried parsley.

Return to the oven for 3 minutes or so.

 

Serve- and see if you fool anyone ;-)

And then be sure to let me know!

Oh and- this is great sliced on sandwiches!

Rom 14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Apple-Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

We make all of our Instant Oatmeal Packs starting with this Basic Recipe:

 

Basic Instant Oatmeal:

2 cups quick oats

2 cups quick oats ground to a powder in blender

3/4 t salt

Mix well.

We then make individual servings in the snack-size ziploc bags and store in the pantry.

Remember those antique dried apples that I told you about on Facebook?

Well, they're delicious in this oatmeal -and they were free!!!

 

Methinks this is far better than anything I've tasted from a box- and SO much cheaper!

 

 You could dress it up as 'apple pie oatmeal' by adding other spices or tossing in some nuts.

Apple-Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

1/3 cup Basic Instant Oatmeal (above)

1T brown sugar

1/3 cup loosely packed dried apples

dash of cinnamon

To cook, simply add 2/3 cup of very hot water and allow to sit for approx 3 minutes.

Other flavors of instant oatmeal:

Brown Sugar and Spice

Coconut Cream

Cinnamon Bun 

Smores

and if you have dried lemon zest, you could even do that for Lemon-Poppy Seed Oatmeal

Exo 30:23  Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels...

Venison Sliders

When a friend of ours called a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I wanted a deer, I hesitated...you just never know what people mean when they ask you if you want an animal down here in the south!

But- free for the picking up- was a crate of venison!

And you wanna know what's really neat about the timing? My 16 year old had just come upstairs that morning from the freezer to let me know that we were almost out of red meat and well, deer is the other red meat! We love it!- God is good!

It's lean and we don't seem to think it's 'gamey' and it can do anything beef can do 'cept only better- especially when it's free!

Venison Sliders

1 lb loin, cut in small strips

1 large onion, sliced

2 heaping tablespoons of fat (lard*)

1 1/2 T Worcestershire Sauce (love French's)

cheese (Swiss)

buns

Saute onion and venison in fat on medium-low heat until meat is no longer pink.

Add Worcestershire and continue to cook 3 to 5 minutes on low heat.

Add to buns top with cheese- and you have- amazing!

*You gals know I love to render my own lard when I can get it, but for these, I actually used bacon grease. Someone at church had given me a whole jar of leftover bacon grease. Sweet!

You KNOW you're loved when folks share their bacon grease with you!

Psa 42:1  As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Freezer and Pantry Cooking and Prepping-

I find freezer and pantry cooking therapeutic and one of the best things to keep me in the frugal! 

For you see- it is the cheapest source of fast food :) 

I may not always make up 'whole meals' but I try to make up frugal, healthy foods that can easily be put together for a quick, healthy meal.

Last weekend the kids put on their new aprons (Christmas gifts) and we got to work in the kitchen.

The two bigger boys made Gingerbread Pancakes and Kefir Pancakes.

The younger two rolled out pizza crusts for breakfast pizzas and personal pizzas for lunch, while I baked them. 

We allowed them to cool and bagged them all in meal portions and froze them.

We then began a double batch of Laura's famous Breakfast Cookies!

(I cut the butter back by 1/4.)

We love these and always include them on our freezer cooking list!

Then we switched our focus to breakfast for the pantry and we made the following granolas:

Graham Granola

Chocolate Granola with Almonds

Peanut Butter Granola

The day we got groceries, I came home and prepared all the meat I bought like this;

-cooked 4lbs ground beef and froze in 5 meal-portions

-boiled and shredded chicken breasts for 4 meal-portions

-boiled 2 whole chickens for 4 meal-portions and about a gallon and a 1/2 of broth frozen in portions

-made and cooked ground turkey meatballs for 5 meals

-boiled oxtails for about a gallon of beef broth and froze in portions

(fed cat and dogs the fat scraps from chicken and oxtails)

-divided roasts for 2 meals and diced up some for 1 meal of stew

- bought enough pollock (fish) for 2 meals for a little over $6

(fish is very high in protein so your servings can be smaller!)

-divided pepperonis in meal-sized portions and froze

This week I also prepared a double batch of Brandy's Spaghetti Sauce and froze it up in meal-sized portions and some for the meatballs.  I had a little left over and spread it across some chicken strips that I had in the freezer and baked them and served them over rice with a spinach and chard salad.

Before I go to bed tonight, I plan on soaking up several kinds of beans so as to pressure cook those tomorrow and freeze them up for quick meals and sides. 

(If you've been reading my FB, you'll know that I discovered electricity, well- I felt like it, when someone gave me a pressure cooker a few months ago and I cooked dried garbanzo beans in 7 minutes! 

Totally amazing!)

We also might make up some bean and cheese burritos for the freezer over the weekend once I get some saucy beans made up.

I'm also making good use of  these soup starters and other goodies for quick meals:

With the clear-broth veggie-soup mix, I usually add frozen shredded chicken, a teaspoon of bouillon, and a shake of thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

The tomato veggie-soup is good plain with frozen shredded chicken or with beef (with or without pasta or rice) and some marjoram, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper....or with beet and Italian herbs.

Then there's the potato soup mix that's just a reheat and add milk beaten with a little flour or cornstarch.

The canned pumpkin soup is a simple reheat and top with sour cream.

The apples make a great side with eggs for breakfast or a quick lunch and I often heat them in a little butter.

All of this helps me keep on the frugal track and focus these days on school and other work. It also helps me on those days when errands pop up out of nowhere and we have to grab our Breakfast Cookies and go!

The kids also enjoy 'cooking classes'!   - Beats fractions and times tables! :)

But- be sure to warn your boys that pancakes do NOT need to be flattened with a spatula to cook through!

Sigh.

Prov 31:15  She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Our Latest Frugal Investment: The Wood Stove

Through stacking some coupons, I was able to get the stove for $100 off, back while it was still warm. My son and his wife graciously helped with the installation and God seems to be in charge of the wood!

(You've seen a pic of that already in the last post.)

 

(Thank you Keenan and Madi- I can hardly wait to share it with you!)

This should bring our winter utilities down by over 1/2, not to mention it will be a LOT warmer, especially in the basement.

Here she is- isn't she lovely?

It had to sit on a metal pan for safety but in front of it, we just cut out the carpet, down to the concrete. Later we can pretty it up maybe, with some tile or something, but for now- ah, it's warm!

Yonder she blows!

Nothing like a big stainless steel chimney to spruce up a house, huh?

It's pretty cool too- to step outside and smell the wood burning. Mmmm! Nice.

The top of the stove also gets hot enough to cook a few things on-can't wait to see how far I can take that!

I expect that will be a small savings too.

The couple who installed it for us were very kind and thorough. They will be back to close in the box on the side of the house. They've also promised us some fun in the future- COD-style, and that's all I'll say about that here ;-)

But-

God is good girls. 

This investment will save us for a long, long time and we'll be so much warmer!

Exo 19:18  And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Are Your Ready for Winter?

We're not- but we're getting really close!

I tried to get as much seed and plants growing as possible that would grow through cool weather and winter. I have hopes of fresh veggies in the snow!

And so do my chicks!

Yes this is dried corn on the banister for some of these critters in my yard and you'll notice the raised beds are covered and house some very lovely carrots, onions, and lettuces. One has spinach and leeks coming up.

The wood is part of the 'unfinished project' for winter. The hay is for our newest 'babies'. 

Anyone wanna guess what we've drug home now?

(The couple who saw us last night- you can't guess- cuz you already know- so shhhhhh!)

"Shadows" (our appliances have names for those of you who may have forgot) houses lots of frozen veggies and even some fruits from our gardens; some were gleaned from other places.

I forgot to take a pic of my honey for winter. I did some 'bartering' for local honey and have set aside some for 'medicinal purposes only' since germies are sure to be on the way.

I also need to order some elderberries for our best medicine for colds.

I will likely be using the last of our berries this week...whether from germs or the cold, some aren't feeling so good today....but that syrup is a fantastic cure-all!

Mason jars are tucked everywhere I have extra space. They are filled with everything from relish to pickles to green beans to apple pie filling- oh and in front here are beets!

Ah and my beloved wheat!

I was able to get a couple of bags of grains for winter several weeks ago.

Some of you know what a treasure that is for me!

God is good!

We've also settled into cuddling on the couch at night and reading this great book!

2 Chr 32:27-29 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;  Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

 Who else is prepped for winter? How so?

Gardening in September...

There's been lots of work to do the last few weeks to make ready for fall; mowing down patches that were finished giving me food, turning over the ground (again, and again, and again), and working in more organic materials to replenish the soil.

One patch got all the compost from our trash can that we keep for food scraps.

We've started a bin for all gardens scraps- stalks, food the borers and beetles had their share of, etc

But before I go on-

I would LOVE to introduce you to my new one-true-love!

It's a hand-me-down pressure cooker:

Isn't it handsome!?!?!

And guess what it did for me today?

It cooked me a huge pot of red beans in THREE minutes! Yes- that's one-two-three- THREE minutes flat!

Where has this been all of my life?!?!

Oh!- Be still my beating heart!

Okay- enough gushing- onto the gardens!

 

Do you remember how I told you before that you could cut your onions and leeks off at the ground and they would regrow? 

Here's a green onion that's doing just that.

Notice the height of the other onions behind this one. The red arrow marks the previous cut line. You can see the white skin is quite dense there. It grew back much faster than I could have replanted and grown from seed!   It's only been about 2 weeks- for real! :)

 

 

In the picture below you can see several rows of different greens that I have growing. The chard is doing great but when you take a closer look, you see the others are not :(

(New beets are growing on the side I'm standing on.)

See? Yucky! They're eat up, buggy, and burned. Sigh. This is a Siberian Kale. I don't think I will plant this type again. Grr.

Meet the wild gourd vine:

The gourd vine has met the willow tree and somehow, they two almost appear to be one!

But- it's kind of cool so- I'm leaving it, mainly for Kyler. He's dreaming of Tarzan-like feats....swinging on the vine up into the tree! 

It has gourds that need to hurry on along!

(Perhaps we can paint them for fall!)

My favorite corner appears to know that fall is certainly here:

The zinnias are starting to brown, the sunflowers are starting to droop (and brown), but the cosmos still look pretty happy. 

You can see poke berries on the other side of the fence.

I am very excited about this fairly new fig tree. Last fall, I pulled out the other fig that was in this same spot that wouldn't grow. This took it's place in the very early spring. 

It not only has grown well, but it has fruit!

I have another that sets fruit in the late spring-early summer. 

Love it!

I've used my rain barrel water to make several batches of 'tea' for the garden. I mixed in a half bag of manure-biochar. The latest fashion in all-things-tea! ;-)

(I was cackling out loud the other day after watching the cat fall into this. Poor thing- but it sure was funny!)

Tempting mother nature with this bed!

Well, sort of. 

The radishes will be just fine and harvest before frost, Lord willing.

But- I tossed in some early cuke seeds that I found....maybe if I could cover them....maybe, just maybe.....

This beauty is the makings of a new blackberry bush from a shoot off the main bush in the front yard. 

I planted several more but this one looks to be the only one thriving well. 

If it does as well as it's mother bush, I'll have TONS of blackberries in a year or two!

And next to my new one-true-love, this holds me smitten!

The raised-bed-that-Kemmie-built:

Isn't it lovely?!?!

It holds lettuces, green onions, and short carrots. It's sort of like salad-in-a-box!

We will cross it with PVC pipe and cover it with a free plastic and see how long it will grow through winter when the cold comes in.

We still have much more work to do and lots of planting.

I dream of more raised beds and row covers.......but for now.......this keeps me happy...ah...dirt therapy!

****************************************

Isa 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Shameless Frugality- Ideas for Dental Care, When You Can't Afford It

Several months ago, my older two boys were able to give me a gift that will keep on giving.

Some of you, when I tell this will gasp and say; "I can't believe she's telling that!" But others, who have no dental insurance, will be grateful to know :)

We have a dental office in town that runs a program about 3 to 4 times a year. They bring in as many volunteer dentists as they can from all over the area. The one I saw was all the way from Kentucky!

These dentists, and assistants too, see about 300 patients on the days they do this- for free!

You can either get a cleaning, treatment on one tooth, or an extraction.

My boys waited in the rain through the night, to get a ticket for me so I could have a painful tooth fixed!

Aren't they the most awesome boys ever?!?!?

Yeah, I thought so too.

This wonderful event happens during the early part of the year here, but some of you should begin to look around your area because some places do this in the fall and early winter.

Look and call your local health departments, human services, and other places that provide various types of assistance to see if they know anything about future "dental clinics". If you find an office that does this, they can perhaps give you exact dates of their upcoming events.

Also, check to see if you have a dental school in your area. Some of them will also do work for free in exchange for you being a guinea pig.  

Well, I know that doesn't sound so nice, but- it's free and their teacher will be over-seeing your piggy-ness.

Locals, I've heard there is one up towards Nashville that does this.

Another place that often provides dental service is your local homeless/rescue mission/shelter. I believe ours only provides extractions, but in a worst-case-scenario that may be the only option.

Would love to hear more ideas if any of you have them!