Design

fresh baked bread and rolls .. pic by Mrs. Mac We have been TV free for over two years .. saving $1,440 .. and giving us back countless hours of time to devote to renewing .. relearning lost life skills.  Now .. my son-in-law brought over a $10 TV antenna .. to get about eleven 'free' channels.  I'm finding myself getting 'sucked' into the TV vortex from the 'newness' of this old habit .. and must once again break free from it's hold.  I have put down the remote .. and will bake bread today!  Turn on some nice music .. and get to work.  Daylight is burning.  If I can just learn to monitor my viewing .. it will be a nice pastime to sit and knit after all chores are done for the day.  We get quite a few cooking, nature, outdoorsy shows to choose from .. plus local ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX .. etc.  If you're paying too much for cable or satellite TV .. you might want to make a small investment in a 'rabbit-ear antenna' and ditch your monthly bill.  ...

Mrs. Mac's Cleaning Arsenal Since we ditched our anti-bacterial soap/cleaning products several years ago.. the family has had fewer colds and flu .  At one point in my homemaking career .. I tried to eradicate every germ on every surface with an arsenal of highly advertised products .. (liquid soaps .. scrubbing bubbles .. etc.)  Fast forward .. and remove yourself from current society .. just think back on how homes were cleaned a hundred years ago without modern products ... one has only to turn to the kitchen pantry to find alternative (cheap) cleaners. For windows I use a recycled spray (window cleaner) bottle and fill it with one cup white vinegar with two cups tap water and a small squirt of dish soap (adding a drop or two blue or green food coloring .. so the family will 'think' it's effective;).  This can be used on windows .. stainless steel appliances .. sinks, bathtubs and toilets. Squeaky Clean Tub .. pic by Mrs. Mac For cleaning sinks/tubs .. try just a sma...

This has been an exciting week kitchen wise .  First with the arrival of our green coffee beans .. then the wheat grinder .. and today my supply of Tattler reusable canning lids.  Come payday I'm off the get the wheat berries and give fresh ground wheat a try.  I had such a nice quantity of milk kefir grains ( see previous post ) that I started to research about using them to make flavored water kefir.  The grains were divided:  half continue to make milk kefir .. and the other half have been designated for water.  So far I'm on my second quart of fermenting the water variety.  I used fresh organic ginger and some organic lemon peel to flavor the first batch .. it came out very refreshing .. now to try it on the family :).  The second batch I hope to flavor with some tangerines.  Soon I'll post some pictures with directions.  The seeds that were sprouted earlier this week are ready to use in salads .. and I'll start on a second batch to ...

Just arrived .. green coffee beans (pic by Mrs. Mac) Here's what green coffee beans look like (pic by Mrs. Mac) Our shipment of green coffee beans arrived this week.  We purchased beans grown organically in Bolivia for $4.99 a pound, including shipping.  They have a AA rating.  Being a newby roaster, I still have much to learn about the process.  It is rather exciting to roast beans at home .. and the more often you do it .. the better you are able to judge how well they are roasted. Make sure your skillet harbors no previous cooking flavors :) (pic by Mrs. Mac) I am using a big black cast iron skillet on top of the stove and have my exhaust fan turned on high to remove the smoke.  Some people use pop corn poppers .. others use bread machines with heat guns (used for paint removal) .. I'm using a method surely used by my great grandparents.  So far .. so good. The beans start turning color and the skins pop as moisture is released (pic by Mrs. Mac) And I mu...

Canning is a lot of work.  But, I am finding like many other 'lost' homemaking skills, it is much easier and less time consuming once you get the hang of the process.  And .. another plus .. the jars are reusable year after year .. so less waste in the landfill or to recycle.  Winter is the perfect time to can beans.  So far our storage pantry is nicely stocked with Boston baked beans, pintos, and now red beans.  The pintos are so easy to mash to make re-fried beans to serve with tacos.  The red beans will be added to our newly canned beef chili for quick winter meals.  For easy to learn canning procedures, check out the Ball Blue Book Of Home Preserving .. it has recipes for both water bath and pressure canning .. lots of pictures and diagrams .. easy instructions for beginners. Can food with a neighbor if you are hesitant .. you might even share the  equipment until you decide whether or not home canning is for you.  The biggest boon .....

I never know what is for dinner most days .. until mid-day .. or a family member calls at 4PM to ask, 'what's for dinner tonight .. I'm starved' .. There are so many things to weigh (LOL).  What green to serve (salad, slaw, broccoli, green beans .. and what have we already eaten this week .. have to mix it up) .. what veggie .. what starch .. what meat.  I try not to serve heavy meat dishes but once a week .. that means the other dinners will be in the form of soups, stews, pasta, rice or potato casseroles .. salads .. or even breakfast in the form of omelets, waffles .. etc.  Last night I made .. let me think what to call it .. humm ..??  Sauteed mushroom/ground steak gravy .. served over mashed potatoes .. with a side of fresh garden corn on the cob (plucked from the freezer), and a delicious tangy coleslaw with vinaigrette dressing.  Hummm .. HOBO gravy .. nah .. Steak gravy .. nah .. How about:  Mrs. Mac's Meaty Mushroom Gravy? I swear .. the family tho...

Turkey sandwich meat .. photo by Mrs. Mac I'm getting the hang of cooking from scratch.  Making as much from my little kitchen laboratory as possible.  With the food budget money this month I splurged and bought a 18 pound minimally processed .. small farm .. turkey.  It was expensive at $56 .. the price you pay for having plain turkey without all the additives.  This turkey was dissected and made into TEN different turkey products packaged for quick use from the fridge and freezer. Cajun (spicy) style roasted turkey breast ... photo by Mrs. Mac Some of the broth, meat & gravy .. photo by Mrs. Mac Cajun style breast meat roasted .. sliced thin for SANDWICHES ... 3 pounds 6 quarts stock for SOUPS 2 half pints of rich pan drippings for GRAVY 3 quarts meat for use in CASSEROLES  and TURKEY SALAD Legs and wings baked TERIYAKI style for dinner and lunch (8 pieces) Leftover teriyaki chopped for use in FRIED RICE neck bones, heart, liver pressure CANNED as a ...

Well .. the new year is starting off good.  The family seems to be on board to purchasing groceries in bulk.  We are slowly switching from a monthly supply of goods in the pantry .. and adding six months of supply.  This means .. and here is where the adapting comes in .. that I don't have to take any grief if we are out of a particular item.  Say mayo .. or .. bread .. or a hundred other things they complain about if we are out of.  I have been making mayo (for example) for the past six months.  If we are out .. it's because I may have just one farm fresh egg left in the fridge for an emergency .. so make your sandwich with mustard and get over it (LOL).  Too much 'want' .. instead of basic need .. this is 'a-changin' ...  hallelujah!  We are saving up for a flour mill.  I hope to have enough money by the time we have used up our current supply of flour.  And .. my friend, Maria .. at Shallow Thoughts From Iowa .. buys her coffee...

bread ready for final rise .. by Mrs. Mac Hubby is reading ' Food Rules ' and ' The Omnivore's Dilemma ' .. both books by Michael Pollan .  I think I will be writing out the food rules on little 3x5 index cards and drilling him ..  maybe even add a few of my own rules.  It's a step in the right direction.  Yesterday .. he mentioned he'd like to learn to make bread.  There's always hope of reforming a 'Wonder (white squishy) Bread' boy, eh? :) Today is our monthly budget day.  This, again, is an area hubby wants to gain knowledge of the process .. Oh, yes, he sees the end result .. no debt .. nutritious food on the table .. his cash envelopes filled.  But he is wise to see how it's done and to have a look-see at all the budget categories.  Just knowing that he wants to try and eat healthier when away from home .. or when I am out of town .. and how to manage the finances .. is music to my heart.  homemade bread .. by Mrs. Mac This week in the...

Some days I get antsy reading the headlines on the sidebar of this blog.  GMO foods and crops .. to soak or not to soak grains .. raw -vs- pasteurized milk .. toxic money .. etc.   Yes, it is good to be informed.  Taking in the news and trying to eke out a common sense approach to life is important to having a quality life.  There is just too much living to do that one needs not to be in fear of living.  Just breathing is dangerous it seems some days.  I get the most enjoyment trying to figure out how to make products at home.  Be it soap or green cleaners.  Trying to save money and not always needing the latest gadget.  Being content with thrift store shopping.  Growing as much food as possible for summer use and winter storage.  Can I do it all? NO!  .. and I have learned that being a good homemaker means not only keeping busy at home with the garden, etc. .. but also seeking the best local produce, eggs, meat, etc. in the c...

Yesterday was budget day a The Mangy Moose Lodge.  I have been working with a household budget for the past eight months; it's getting easier.  Allocating our spending categories at the beginning of the month ..  makes for good spending habits.  Its' easier to say "NO" to impulse buys.  Christmas shopping is easier with cash set aside in an envelope.  When the $ is gone .. no more shopping :).  Our youngest daughter is just starting out in life .. albeit .. still at home .. but learning good foundations that will carry her through life.  Being able to live on a fixed income AND budget will be vital for her future success.  Today I helped her type up an easy to read budget form that she can print out each month and fill in with pencil.  Learning to live within your means at an early age is a very good thing.  Our economy and government could use a good dose of living within a budget .. my wouldn't that be a saving grace! Speaking of ...

Indian Summer & the clothesline second crop of berries bialy (roll) dough autumn colors still lingering some of today's garden pick

Big gains.  It's hard to remember shopping with store coupons for ready made food products.  Our food bill was about double what it is now.  The change to eating whole foods started off slowly and has snowballed.  A little step here and there has added up to a total makeover with more changes to follow .  Having a set amount of cash to shop with each month, slowly stocking up on single item pantry/freezer goods (flour, eggs, veggies, meat .. etc) .. makes for quick meal preparation and planning.  Purchasing went from several times a week to once or twice a month.  Honestly .. yesterday was big shopping day for the month of November.  Our budget is $400 cash (family of four); this does not include much meat as that is separately budgeted and purchased from a local ranch each summer and kept in a chest freezer.  Having a well stocked pantry, I came home with only four bags of grocery staples.  Milk, cheese, spices, potatoes, ...

vintage white 'hobnail' bedspread It pays to be patient when 'thrifting' :) Today was 'date' day with Mr. Mac.  We were supposed to go to the hardware store (hey, it's raining;) but decided to stop at a few thrift stores on the way.  My favorite hangout was having half off the entire store .. so that was the first stop.  A few more USA made vintage diner pieces were picked up (plates and bowls @ 2 for 25 cents and 2 for 50 cents :) .. afterward we ventured to the Goodwill and I spied a hobnail (double) white bedspread.  Impressed, I checked the tag .. it read 'Dog Blanket' .. $1.99.  What?  I had stumbled on a rack of older bedspreads that the store thought would make good pet bedding.  Well, I checked the bedspread over pretty well (no fleas;) .. just a few small surface stains near the top edge.  After treating the spots and adding a smidgen of bleach with the blanket in the washing machine .. viola .. a perfectly good spot free bedspread .. wit...

Since building our home in 2007, I have been very disappointed in some of the kitchen appliances.  We did not buy cheap .. but middle of the road quality/price.  To date, my microwave, dishwasher, and fridge have all needed some repairs.  Even the range, which had an electronic starter go on the fritz has been worked on.  Our high efficiency washing machine purchased in 2004 was replaced in 2006 with a less high tech model that uses more water and has no electronic brain.  I'm not sure the dishwasher will get replaced anytime soon should it completely go kaput; I can envision a nice calico curtain on a rod with storage shelves for my cast iron pans in this space.  Product quality seems to have been replaced with customer no-service ..  or at the least ... expensive repair bills (or extra insurance policies) that are about half the original cost of the product.  We need to re-invent quality USA made products instead of importing junk.  How did...

... given to my 20 year old daughter (over the past five years;) Don't be in a big hurry to move out until: College classes finished and no student debt A paid-in-full used car An emergency fund of $1,000 Know how to balance a checkbook Only use a credit card if you have the money in the bank already ... and it can be paid off immediately ... better yet, don't have one. Learn to cook using whole foods Advice I gave my daughter before she should ever decide to get married: Make sure you and your future spouse are equally yoked; both spiritually and philosophically. While you are a DINK (double income no kids), live on one paycheck and bank the second, even if that means living in a mobile home or tiny apartment. Stay home with your children while they are small.  Daycare is so expensive, and granny daycare (well, let's just say ... granny will be too old and worn out by then;).  They are only small once and the window of opportunity to shape their future is very slim.  If ...

Hubby and I are watching Season One of the old TV series, The Waltons.  There are a lot of simple lessons to learn ... just by watching how this family struggles through the Great Depression with barely two nickles to their name.  I love watching the interactions between the grandparents .. the parents .. and the children.  John Boy is always weaving family history as he writes down lessons learned.  Parents have authority over their children and guide them with love and discipline.  There are many lessons to learn just by watching this amazing family working together for the good of the family unit.  Some evenings I even catch my daughter, Ann, watching an episode (don't tell her I told you so;).  Inspiration from another era ... it's a good thing! 

Yes, $350 +$20 from fire fighter son has been a tight squeeze for food funds.  We have four days to go until PAYDAY ...  You can bet I already have my shopping list ready and waiting!  Hubby was looking for   crackers today ... sorry ... you have to WAIT until shopping day (I haven't bought crackers for months because most are filled with JUNK).  I offered him some carrot sticks and a chunk of cheese ... saying dinner is in 45 minutes ;)  (He survived)  Our freezer food is being used up ... and fast.  If my planning is good, we have just enough frozen berries, freezer jam, and hopefully beef to last until summer when I restock for the year.  Tonight I made venison meatloaf (no one asked about the 'mystery' meat), steamed carrots, and potato salad.  The ten pounds of organic carrots earlier this month was a good buy.  They come in handy for snacks ... and as a side dish. The hardest part of making all of our food is not running ou...

T his week I entered our budget on my computer program's spreadsheet ( Microsoft Works Monthly Home Budget ) .  This has proven a much better option to pen and paper as I can do a little fudging with the numbers much easier than erasing and correcting the paper version.  Also, at the beginning of the month I can enter a minimum (fixed) salary amount ... and in the next column enter the actual salary after payday.  This is very helpful for people that have fluctuation in their monthly pay.  I set the budget on the minimum fixed amount so I know the least amount of money to budget.  It's a blessing when I can go back later and enter the actual salary and fatten up some of the categories if we get more income. We're in the final stretch of April.  I have exactly $50 grocery money to last to the end of the month.  I think this is doable!  This means our family of four (often 5 & 6 from son and grandson) survived on $370 worth of whole food grocer...

I've had to practice saying the word NO ... not today ... not in the budget this month to my family.  Being the keeper of the purse strings is a big responsibility that can not be taken lightly.  With daily practice ... it is becoming much easier to just say NO .  I find it utterly pathetic how our society has been hoodwinked into believing we needed so much stuff.  Stuffitis is definitely a mental disorder!   I'm going to into the garden for some therapy!  Spring weather and gardening and reacquainting myself with God's word are the best cure-all.  Enjoy your day.