Sunday, October 30, 2022

Finally...

 An experiment that actually works.

While browsing through videos, I found one at "The Purposeful Pantry" about dehydrating canned vegetables.  Darcy, the lady who puts out so many helpful dehydrating videos, was using cans of vegetables from the grocery store.  As most of mine are home canned in jars, I thought I would try dehydrating some of them that have been on the shelf for quite some time.

I dehydrated one pint each of corn, carrots, green beans and diced potatoes.  Then I tossed the dry veggies into the crock pot along with a handful of dry onions, 4 chicken bouillon cubes, a half teaspoon of garlic powder and 2 quarts of water.  About an hour before suppertime, I added a pint of shredded chicken and 1 tablespoon of beef bouillon, as I thought the broth could use just a bit more flavor.

The result was a really good chicken veggie soup that went well with some cornbread.

I have some home canned veggies that have been sitting on the shelf for several years.  I think I will dry them and store them with the bouillon, onions, garlic and maybe a handful of dry parsley to make a soup mix that needs only water and canned shredded meat to make an easy meal.

It is really nice when a plan comes together.  :)

Monday, October 24, 2022

Summer Sausage Made With Hamburger

 As has happened many times, arthritis has reared its ugly head in the form of a flare-up.  This is nothing to worry about.  It has been part of my life since age 15.  It will go away in a few days.  But until then the flare-up is a realy good excuse to baby myself and order pizza.

I will be away for a few days.  Until I return, I leave you with this recipe for one of my favorite ways to use hamburger.

Summer Sausage from Hamburger

2 lbs. hamburger

2 Tbsp. mustard seed

1 Tbsp. garlic powder

2 Tbsp. Liquid Smoke

2 Tbsp. Morton Tender Quick

1 tsp. black pepper

Mix together thoroughly.  Divide mixture in half and form two even rolls.  Wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate for 24 hours.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Poke holes in the bottom of each roll.  Place on a rack in the oven with a pan underneath to catch any grease.  Bake for 90 minutes.

This is good sliced for sandwiches or used with crackers and cheese.  I generally make about 6 lbs. at a time, keeping a couple of rolls in the fridge and freezing the rest.

Enjoy.

Monday, October 17, 2022

Changes

 I am old.  I am not fond of change.  But this Recession we are in that seems headed toward a Depression has me rethinking my options.

I like convenience foods.  And I have occasionally been buying premade mixes.  Not so much for the flavor and certainly not for the health aspects.  It is mostly because those of us who have joints that don't work very well any more tend to go for 'easy and quick' as opposed to time consuming 'from scratch' foods.  If I can microwave something instead of standing for a length of time stirring a pot on the stove, I will do it.  Or if I can just add water or milk to a mix instead of mixing from scratch, I will do that, too.  It hurts less.

So this afternoon I have been putting together some of my favorite homemade mixes.  Not only do I know what is in each one, but I find it is much less expensive to make than to buy. 


Swiss Mocha Mix (from the YouTube Channel, "Little Village Homestead.") 

1/2 C. instant coffee  -  2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1/2 C. sugar - or to taste  -  1/4 tsp. vanila

1 C. powdered milk

Blend well.  To use:  2 large Tbsp. in a mug of hot water.


Hot Cocoa Mix (from the YouTube Channel "katzcradul")

5 C. dry milk  -  3 C. powdered sugar

1 1/2 C. cocoa powder  -  1 C. Creamora

pinch salt

Mix well.  Add to hot water in a mug, to taste.  (Note:  This tastes less like Swiss Miss and more like the old fashioned cocoa Mom used to make.  It is also really good if one bottle of malt powder is added.)


Gravy Mixes (from "Suttons Daze" YouTube Channel)

Chicken or Beef Gravy

3/4 C. flour  -  1 tsp. pepper

3 Tbsp. either beef or chicken bouillon

Country Gravy

3/4 C. flour  -  1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. pepper  -  1 tsp. onion powder

To use:  Melt 1 Tbsp. fat (butter, margarine, bacon grease, etc.)  Stir in 2 Tbsp. mix.  Whisk in 1 C. water.  Whisk until thick to make 1 C. gravy.


Brownie Mix  ( Don't remember where I found this.)

4 C. flour  -  4 1/2 C. sugar

1 C. cocoa powder  -  1 1/2 C. dry milk powder

1 1/2 Tbsp. baking powder  -  1 1/2 tsp. salt

Sift together 3 times.

To use:  Combine 1 3/4 C. mix, 1/4 C. warm water, 1/4 C. oil, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 egg.  Beat well.  Pour into a greased 9-inch pan.  Bake 20 miutes or until done - 350 degrees. 


I expect to be adding more convenience type mixes this fall.  I highly doubt that prices are going to drop.  I can add to my food storage this way while saving a bit on the already outrageous grocery bill.

We need to keep stacking to the rafters however we can.  And most important, keep praying.  We need all the non governmental help we can get.

Monday, October 10, 2022

Listen and Learn

My young nurse is a wealth of information.  All I need do is listen.

She is a nice girl.  Does a good job.  But her way of thinking is far removed from mine.

She came in one day last week, grousing about having to work the weekend.  Just for reference, there are some patients who need daily care.  The nursing staff takes turns on the weekend shift.

She said she didn't think the human body was made to work so hard.

She said that.  And was serious about it.

The girl obviously has never followed a farmer around on one of his sunrise to past sunset working days.  Nor has she known anyone like my Dad who worked a 40 hour a week job climbing in and out of train boxcars, taking samples of grain for testing.  And then working his second job cleaning a church or an  office building.  And working weekends taking care of two large barns of turkeys.

Don't misunderstand.  I like the girl.  But I fail to understand that while the rest of us are working to stack food and water and supplies as high as we possibly can stack it all, are not spending our money frivolously and are paying attention to events around us, she is going on vacation twice in as many months and flew to Chicago on a weekend to party with friends.

Priorities.  

Mine are to feed my family should it become necessary.

Hers are to have as much fun as possible.

I understand that the young often think they are 10 feet tall and bulletproof, but the reality is that there may come a time when she will be wondering where her next meal is coming from.  

I find that incredibly sad.  

And she is not alone.  There are a couple of generations of folks who believe nothing bad will ever happen and even if it does, it won't happen in their back yard.

I sincerely pray that God will help them.  For I will not.

Monday, October 3, 2022

You All Are Amazing

 "Prayer is not a gentle knock on the door.  It is a FERVENT EFFECTUAL POUNDING on the doors of Heaven."

When I posted the request for prayer, I was a mother who feared losing another son.  Things have changed.

My son had a scan of his heart that showed no damage and normal function.  He had a stent put in one blocked artery.  He has a few restrictions and diet changes.  He goes home to his family tomorrow.

No one will ever convince me there is no power in prayer.

I can not even begin to properly thank all of you for your kindness, your caring and your prayers.  But mostly I thank God for listening and answering.

May that same God bless you all.

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Prayer Warriors Alert

 My friends, I am again reaching out to you with a request for prayer.

A short time ago I got a phone call from my sweet daughter-in-law.  It seems that my youngest son had a heart attack this afternoon.  Fortunately he paid attention to his symptoms and went directly to the hospital.  He has had a stent put in.  His wife says he is awake and talking and is very tired.

We will know more tomorrow after the doctors see him.

Prayers for my son and his family would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.