Homesteading Newbie

Been way too long since I've been writing any... hopefully will keep it up a little better now. Our newest adventure is "homesteading". I didn't really know that was what it was called until I started reading various blogs about homesteading. I always thought it was just a way of life for my grandparents and to some extent, myself. So, I'm going to start keeping up with some of our newest adventures, thanks to quite a few ideas from Pinterest!

This is our second year of having a pretty substantial garden... well, not substantial by my grandmother's standards, but it is for me. I have planted 20 pepper plants, about 15 tomato plants, a patch of corn, green beans, strawberries, onions, carrots and several squash and zucchini plants.. I also hope to can more this year and freeze enough corn to do us for the winter.

My green beans have found their trellis! Small things make me happy!
 

We are also in the process of building a chicken coop and have bought 15 chickens, which are temporarily housed at my in-laws. Can't wait to start getting fresh eggs and some meat from our backyard. Stay tuned for more updates on our garden and what we are learning to do... and not do in our new adventure.

Freezer cooking

I have been really busy lately since returning to work after Christmas... but I have been trying to stick to my New Year's goals of keeping the house in better order and cooking healthier and planning my meals ahead of time. This weekend has been no different... we have been very busy chasing the kids, shuttling them to their activities, a friend's 30th birthday party and keeping it all in order.

I was able to carve out some time this afternoon to try my hand at some freezer cooking. We have been very limited financially in the last few weeks so pretty much groceries have been limited to the basics. I have been wanting to do some freezer cooking for some time but I think my first attempt was a success...

Here's what I made today:

• Extra batch of deer chili (we still have a ton of chili from the deer that Levi killed earlier in the season)
• Honey Wheat bread in my "new" bread machine a friend gave me
• Chocolate brownies (not many left to freeze when my family found out I was making them!)
• Oatmeal Jam bars (recipe and picture are shown below)
• A huge batch of meatballs

Oatmeal Jam bars (before cut into bars)

It was my first time to make the oatmeal jam bars.... well, turned out it didn't "bar" very good. It was more of a cobbler type consistency.. but the taste is really good! I am going to serve it for breakfast in the morning to the boys.  Here is the recipe:

1 cup of butter or margarine
1 cup of brown sugar
2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups of quick cook oats
3/4 cup of jam (your choice what flavor, I used grape)

Melt the butter and add the brown sugar; cream well. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, mixing well. Mix in the oatmeal. Spread 1/4 of the mixture into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Spread the jam on top and cover with the rest of the mixture. Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Let cool well.

I am really going to try to keep up with the freezer cooking. Our weeknights are so busy and I usually don't get home until around 6:30 p.m. and don't have time to sit down until around 10:00.... maybe if I already have supper prepared, or at least part of it, my weeknights will be much easier. I'll let you know how it goes... If anyone has any great freezer recipes, please feel free to let me know!

Asking for Help

I didn't make any real New Year's Resolutions.. I rarely keep them and just feel disappointed in myself when I don't. But I am trying to simplify and slow down in my life. I have worked diligently over Christmas break to clean, organize and throw out things in my home. Huge job and still can't tell a lot has been done, not that we have a lot, but our house is small and tends to accumulate rather quickly. I have worked to cram every domestic duty into two weeks time, all in my attempt to simplify? Uh, maybe not...

Yesterday, as I was driving down the road, I had an epiphany. I had not asked GOD for His help in calming my nerves and simplifying my life. I was trying to do it all on my own, with new calendars and bins for stuff. The first thing I should have done was ask God to take charge. I can not do anything on my own, why would this be any different!

So I asked God to take charge in this area of my life, to take away the guilt when I can't get it all done. It's hard, I admit. I want to do it all and be it all, but that's not in His plan. I will continue to pray about this daily and work to just do one little organizing thing a week or so, instead of tackling it all and exhausting myself when I have a little bit of time off work.

Only I could make simplifying stressful!!! Ha Ha!! But God is going to help me now, wish I had asked for help a long time ago!

Feeling crafty...

There is simply not enough time to do all that I want to do. I have had the last two weeks off of work, but must return tomorrow. Ugh. I want to do so much still, such as make a quilt, make homemade soap, crochet a baby blanket, organize the house, etc. etc..... I actually have accomplished quite a bit on my break. Lots of cooking, tried several new recipes, and done a lot of purging junk. It feels good and I have enjoyed my stay at home A LOT! I wish I could stay at home with my kids so much, but it's not a possibility right now. Maybe someday. So for now, I'll continue to be a "weekend warrior" or I guess a better term would be "weekend homemaker".  So, now I'm ready to go to the craft store :)

Easy Soft Pretzels

These super easy pretzels were a hit with my family! I guess next time I need to make a double batch because they went quick!

Ingredients:
Coarse salt
1 tbs sugar
6 tbs baking soda
2 tbs canola oil
1 cup warm water
1 pk active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Instructions:
In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water for about 10 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, oil, and sugar. Beat for about three minutes to make smooth. Gradually stir in enough of the flour to make a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for about five minutes, adding flour to keep it from getting sticky.

Place dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let rise for one hour. Punch down after the hour and place on a floured surface. Divide evenly into 12 round, smooth balls. Stretch each piece into a smooth 18 inch rope. Form into a pretzel form. Let rise uncovered on a greased baking sheet for about 25 minutes.

In a stainless steel pot, boil water and the baking soda. Carefully drop each pretzel into the boiling water for ten seconds, turn and do the same to the other side. With a slotted spoon, remove the pretzel and place back on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt.

When all pretzels are ready, place in a preheated 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Easy Dinner Rolls

I found this recipe online and was so pleased with how it turned out! Made these for Christmas dinner and they were wonderful!

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
4 1/2 tsp yeast
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp salt
4-4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:
Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes. Stir in butter, sugar, eggs, and salt. Beat in flour 1 cup at a time until dough is too stiff to mix. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to overnight.

Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan. Turn the chilled dough onto a lightly flour covered surface. Divide the dough into 24 equally sized pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place balls into the greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for one hour or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake until the rolls are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Serve and enjoy!!!

Homemade Granola Jars

Merry Christmas everyone! Here is what I am giving a few of the guys in my life for Christmas presents. This homemade granola was so easy and I basically used what I had on hand in the cupboards. You can vary the ingredients to include what you like the best!

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked oatmeal
2 cups Grape Nuts cereal
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

I mixed all of the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips in a large bowl. Add in the honey and mix until the ingredients are clumping together. Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely. Add chocolate chips when the mixture is totally cool. Place in mason jars and secure lids.

I had to kick my husband out of the kitchen while making this because he kept stealing bites! This would also be good with sunflower seeds or any other kind of nuts.

Anniversary

Today was our fifteenth wedding anniversary and it has been quite an adventure if I must say so myself! Many times, our relationship has been one that could have been a romantic comedy, or at least a comedy of some sort! This may include but is not limited to living "in a van down by the river", living in a skating rink, owning a skating rink, having amazing children, and finally getting "grown up" careers. Not that I'm bragging but I'd like to share a few of the reasons my husband is truly "my other half".

1. He makes me a better person. I would never have gotten the guts to go to graduate school, advance in my career, and try as hard as I do at everything if he didn't give me a kick in the pants every now and then.
2. Loyalty. It amazes me how many people we know has been involved in an extramarital affair. So sad. We have been and always will be totally committed to each other. That is God's plan and He made it that way for a reason.
3. I can say that we truly enjoy spending time with each other. We have fun, we enjoy hanging out with each other, and we always have each other's back.

It's been a wonderful fifteen years and I look forward to spending another fifty or so with my dear husband!

Homemade Pomegranate Sugar Hand Scrub

I am making this super easy Pomegranate sugar hand scrub for Christmas presents. I saw something like this on Pinterest in a couple of different recipes but this one is easiest I think. My mother in law found me these super cute pint size mason jars. The only ingredients you need are plain granulated sugar and Pomegranate hand renewal Dawn dish soap. I filled up the mason jar almost to the top, then poured in the dish soap until it was moist but not too thin. Mix it well until all of the sugar is saturated. Dawn also has a lavender scented dish soap like this that would be great too!  I then made a little tag out of a piece of scrapbook paper and a paper sack. Tied it with a ribbon around the jar and VOILA! Easy, inexpensive Christmas present. I have been keeping mine by the kitchen sink and use a couple of times a day. It feels great on my hands and makes them soooo soft!

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies.. Perfect for Santa!

We LOVE chocolate chip cookies around our house.. probably a little too much, if that is possible. They rarely last very long at all. These easy, classic chocolate chip cookies are our favorite. Santa, get ready for a treat!

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional: 1 cup of chopped nuts (we are not crazy about nuts so we don't use them)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl combine the butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until fluffy. Add in one egg at a time and beat well. Slowly, add in the flour mixture until smooth. Last, add in the chocolate chips and nuts if you want them. Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes, then remove quickly to a cooling rack. This makes approximately five dozen cookies.

My 2012 "To Do" List

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."
Andrew Carnegie

Yes, I know it isn't Christmas yet but I've been thinking about a lot of things I want to accomplish in 2012. These are not resolutions, because I know I will not keep those. These are more like goals that I'm going to try to work on.  So, here is a few, I'm sure I will add more to the list as I go....

1. Read my Bible more... I am currently horrible at this and I have got to get better at taking the time to read God's word.
2. Save more money... we have been in trouble several times when we didn't have enough money saved and of course, something breaks down or we get in a bind.
3. Give more money to church... again, another thing I am horrible at. I've got to be more obedient to what God wants me to do.
4. Practice slowing down the pace of my life. I know things can wait, I just always feel rushed.
5. Practice being more patient with my kids. They can be a handful sometimes and I really don't mean to get annoyed with them.. I just get tired and cranky, it's not their fault and I shouldn't take it out on them.

So, here is at least the beginning of my "to do" list for 2012. I'll let you know how it goes on meeting those goals!

Honey-Whole Wheat Bread

I admit, I stole this recipe off the back of a whole-wheat flour package but it is the best recipe I've found for bread! It is wonderful warm with butter and honey! This recipe makes two large loaves so it will last us almost a week. I usually wrap one loaf up well and freeze until we need it. It also makes great french toast!

Ingredients:
2 packages regular active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 degrees-115 degrees)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3 tsp salt
2/12 cups very warm water (120 degrees-130 degrees)
4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 3/4-3 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1. In a small bow, dissolve yeast in warm water; set aside. In a large bowl, mix honey, butter, salt and very warm water; cool 5 minutes.

2. To cooled honey mixture, beat in 3 cups of the whole wheat flour with mixer on low speed, scraping bowl frequently, until moistened. Beat on medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Beat in remaining 1/4cups whole wheat flour and dissolved yeast. With spoon, stir in 2 1/4-2 3/4 cups of the all-purpose flour until dough pulls cleanly away from side of bowl.

3. Place dough on floured work surface. Knead in remaining 1/2 to 1 cup all-purpose flour; continue kneading 5-10 minutes until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with cooking spray; place dough in bowl, turning to grease on all sides. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and a cloth towel. Let rise in warm place 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.

4. Generously grease a cookie sheet or other large pan. Gently push fist into dough to deflate; divide in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough into an approximate 18 x 8 inch rectangle. Roll up dough tightly and pinch edge of dough to seal. Fold ends under loaf; place seam side down in pan. Cover and let rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.

5. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Uncover dough; bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Immediately remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Makes: 2 loaves, approximately 16 slices each.

Getting Ready for Christmas

It is always busy around here this time of year. This is my first day off work and Samuel and I have been busy! We have been making homemade bread, finished grandma's Christmas present, and wrapped a few as well. It is always fun to have my "big helper" around, even if he usually creates more of a mess than he can clean up. Later, when the bread is done, I will post a pic of it along with the recipe. It takes a few hours, but it is well worth the time.. And with it making two large loafs, it lasts in our house for almost a week! I just put one in the freezer until we are ready to use it.



Samuel making grandma's present, a stepping stone for her garden.

 I continue to have difficulty slowing down. It seems my mind races with trying to make up for all of the things that I want to do with the kids and at home. Work really gets in the way of my life! Does anyone else have this problem? If so, please give me some ideas how to quit trying to be superwoman and slow down!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

My family loves when I'm home and feeling "domesticated". Today, I thought I'd try my hand at making homemade cinnnamon rolls. They turned out really good, much better than my last attempt which tasted good but didn't rise. These were flaky and big, just the way we like them! It was pretty easy overall.

Ingredients for Rolls:
1 1/4 oz active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour

Ingredients for filling:
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/3 cup margarine

Ingredients for Icing:
8 tbsp margarine
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Instructions:
Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl, Add the sugar, margarine, salt, eggs and flour. Mix well.
Knead the dough into a large bowl, about 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface. Put in a bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

After one hour, roll the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 21 inches long by 16 inches wide, about 1/4 inch thick. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

For the filling, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and margarine together. Spread evenly over the dough.

Carefully, roll the dough from the long side. Cut the dough into 1 1/2 inch slices and place evenly spaced on a lightly greased baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until browned on top.

While the rolls are baking, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and melted margarine until creamy. Once rolls are done, spread icing on rolls... ENJOY!

Six pack craft caddy

This was so easy it took about two minutes to make! I used the patterned duck tape and covered a six pack box. I made sure to reinforce the bottom with a couple of layers, just to make it a little more sturdy. This is great for paintbrushes and little things.