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Homestead e-Newsletter, July 2006
In This Issue Preserving the Bounty of the Homestead -- by Melonie K. Murray Five Items to Stock Up on for Emergencies -- by Melonie K. Murray Cannin' Time -- by Lisa Barthuly Using the Bounty of Summer Fruits -- by Lisa Barthuly Creating a Grab-'n-Go Bag (Part 1) -- by Melonie K. Murray
Preserving the Bounty of the Homestead    By Melonie K. Murray During the long summer days, it's easy to find ourselves sitting back and enjoying goodies fresh from the garden, chilled glasses of lemonade in the hammock, and chilly dips in the lake or dashes through the sprinkler. Even as a suburban homesteader, I find myself giving in at times to "grasshopper" mode. You know the old story about the grasshopper and the ants, right? It's so easy during times of bounty to think it will always be there. Snap out of it, I have to tell myself. This is the very best time to save up for later! That's when I pull myself back into reality and try to figure out ways to save up for the hard times--whether there be needs for finances, food, or otherwise, sooner or later the days will come when there's a little less about. As your guest editor of the Homestead e-Newsletter this month, I'd like to share the ways I, and my fellow HomesteadBloggers, get prepared for the rainy days and for emergencies. Whether you're looking for suggestions for putting away the "fruits" of summer or want to be ready for power outages and water shortages, you'll find some tips here this month! Yet another way you can learn to be better prepared is by spending time with us over at HomesteadBlogger. You can post questions, share what you're doing on your homestead, learn from others, and make friends too. We have a wonderful team of Front Porch contributors blogging about: Bright Ideas Press In 1992, Maggie Hogan started Bright Ideas Press. Soon, she and her husband Bob began having way too much fun writing, creating, and finding practical, fun, and affordable homeschool resources. Visit them at www.BrightIdeasPress.com - home of the award winning series: The Mystery of History and the Christian Kids Explore science books. gardening earning income from your farm animals - large and small simplicity and saving money putting food by finding your perfect homestead homestead humor natural cleaning products for you and your home home dairying quilting recipes and kitchen suggestions time-saving tips going green   There's plenty to learn and plenty of space for you to share your wisdom.   Pull up a rocker or hop on the hammock, and join us to today on The Front Porch.   Melonie K. Murray Top Five Items to Stock Up on for Emergencies    By Melonie K. Murray 1. Batteries -- I like to pick up bulk packs of batteries I use frequently at my local warehouse store. This way I'm never without batteries for a remote, or worse yet, a flashlight, when I need them! 2. Flashlights -- I keep flashlights in my truck glove box and emergency bag, as well as in the garage, kitchen, master bedroom, and office. I like to have one at hand during the winter, when power outages are more prevalent in my area! 3. Canned goods -- While I make great use of my freezer for short-term food storage, power outages can mean the ruin of foods unless they are used quickly. Canned goods, however, can be stored for a longer period. Be sure to keep manual can openers around, though. Don't be the one with a case of stew and an electric can opener when the power goes out! 4. Candles -- Besides the obvious use when there's no electricity, these are fun just for a relaxing dinner or candlelit bath from time to time too! Consider using soy or beeswax candles so your home isn't filled with toxic fumes when you're burning lots of candles. 5. Paper and colored pencils -- Kept in the car, these are handy for bored kids, writing shopping lists, or making a "help needed" sign in case of a breakdown. At home, having plenty of paper and colored pencils means games, drawing, journaling, and much more when the lights go out and spirits spiral downward. Just like with candles, I like to have a tech-free evening from time to time. Trust me; your family will be the better for it! Cannin' Time    By Lisa Barthuly It's canning season! Well, truth be told, any time of the year is canning season, depending on what you choose to can! Really, food preservation is an ongoing thing here at our little homestead, whether it's by way of canning, freezing, or dehydrating! I just get canning fever around this time of year. It doesn't end 'til the last pear is canned in the fall! I love to can. Maybe it's those pretty glass jars all packed up with the season's bounty? Maybe it's knowing that I am caring for my family by feeding them the best by preserving the freshest foods possible? (Probably both!) I so enjoy canning and preserving food for my family! I like seeing that pantry stocked up and the freezer full. Canning and preserving is really quite simple. There are tons of resources available to teach you, if you don't have an "older" Titus 2 woman in your life to teach and share with you. Some of my staples, if you will, include the Ball Blue Book. It's available online or at any store that carries canning equipment. This is your "bible" of canning and preserving. You'll use it time and time again, and with a price range of $4 to $5, it's worth every penny. Supplies? Well, you'll be needing canning jars--whatever size best suits your family's needs. We use a variety, depending on what we're canning. On occasion you'll find jars at garage sales. These can be great deals; just be sure to inspect them for chips and cracks. I always save my "rings" or buy new ones when needed. Lids, however, should be used ONCE and then tossed. Use new ones every time. (I've heard of folks reusing the lids, but to me it's not worth the safety risk. They are cheap and are one of the keys to safe canning!) It's nice to have a pair of canning tongs, but they aren't a must-have. A canning funnel makes some canning jobs much less messy and saves more than a few burnt hands and fingers. A good stack of old washcloths and potholders can come in very handy. A water bath canner (a glorified stock pot, lid, and jar rack) is something that can be had at a garage sale on the cheap. They can be found nice, new, and relatively inexpensively at a discount retailer like Wal-Mart or online. A pressure canner is one thing I'd only buy new. In my opinion, you want to make sure it's in perfect working order when working under pressure. I know, I know, lots of old-timers use only a water bath canner for everything they can. I don't believe the risk is worth it, so always refer to your Ball Blue Book or a good (reliable) recipe. When I canned my first batch of apricots, I got by with my garage sale water bath canner, jars, rings, lids, tons of washcloths, potholders, and my good ol' Ball Blue Book. It's relatively easy to get started and not expensive either. Just about anything can be canned, truly. Stews, jams, soups, cooked meats, sauces, fish, and milk--just go back to your Ball Blue Book and enjoy! US Subscriptions: 19 FREE GIFTS Whether you are new to our magazine or a long-time subscriber, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has an incredible offer that you won't want to pass up! In the past, we couldn't offer the renewing subscribers the 19 free gifts - those were only for new customers. But for a limited time only, RENEWING subscribers get all 19 gifts (over $200 value), too! I'm a new subscriber…what do I get? With your paid two-year subscription to TOS you'll receive: •A 2-year/3-year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine •19 FREE gifts for you All this for ONLY $39 for 2 years and ONLY $59 for 3 years Click Here to Purchase Online Or, call 1-888-718-HOME Already a subscriber? Renew now and receive: • Two or Three more years of your favorite homeschool magazine and 19 FREE gifts (valued at over $200)! All this for ONLY $39 for 2 years and ONLY $59 for 3 years Click Here to Purchase! Or, call 1-888-718-HOME The first 3,000 two-year or three-year new subscriber or renewing your two or three year subscription, you will receive (by USPS mail) NINETEEN free homeschooling gifts. But you don't get four gifts - you get 19! And yes, even the shipping is paid for - and you are not required to buy anything again - EVER. Click Here to View the FREE Gifts (US Residents Only) Canning the bounty of the season (and beyond) is really very simple. It's a great money saver, healthier, enjoyable, and makes great gifts. I don't know how many folks I gave jars of apple pie filling to last Christmas; they so enjoyed it! Canning is a time-saver, and it stocks the pantry. We never know when we'll run into more than a few "rainy days." The lessons learned spending time together and teaching our children how to care for our family, preserve foods, and eat healthier are indispensable. Besides all that, it really is just plain ol' FUN! Lisa Barthuly resides in Washington State with her husband, Marc, and is blessed to be "Mama" to daughters Mercy and Cassandra, as well as Cooter the dog and Whitefoot the kitten. They pray to be blessed with more children and critters, and have a home-based business specializing in all-natural soy and beeswax candles, gifts, books, and other needful things for the homestead at Homestead Originals. Visit them at www.HomesteadOriginals.com or email Lisa at Lisa@HomesteadOriginals.com. Using the Bounty of Summer Fruits    By Lisa Barthuly Around the Northwest we are blessed to have an abundance of wonderful fruits and veggies readily available. If they aren't in our gardens, a family farm or orchard that grows them is close by. Strawberries, raspberries, blues and blacks--not to mention salmonberries, golden raspberries--the list goes on! We have an abundance of orchards near our home for apricots, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, and of course the one we can't do without--Washington apples! To preserve these wonderful, tasty fruits and their healthful properties, I can an abundance of them while they are in season. We also freeze and dehydrate some. Not only does this save the bounty for the upcoming year, but it gives us the healthiest fruit for our family and saves on the grocery budget in the long haul. Really, who wants to buy produce when it's old, overpriced, and devoid of its natural healthy nutrients? International Subscriptions: 19 FREE GIFTS Whether you view your subscription as a gift for yourself, a homeschool conference delivered to your door, a professional journal, or simply a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with other homeschool families around the world, subscribe now to insure that you are in the first 2,000 and receive this incredible International Subscription Homeschool Gift Pack! One-Year International Subscription: Receive four issues of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine delivered directly to your door and 19 FREE gifts from our generous sponsors. Subscribe now! Only $38! And we have an additional gift for two-year and three-year subscribers! Two-Year or Three-Year International Subscription: Receive eight issues of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, the 19 free gifts, AND our Secrets of Successful Homeschooling e-book! Subscribe now! Only $69 for 2 years and $83 for 3 years! These special offers will expire soon, though. Subscribe or renew today so you don't miss out on this opportunity! Three easy ways to subscribe! Subscribe online Call 1-888-718-HOME Mail your order to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC PO Box 10 White Pine, TN 37890 Click Here to View the FREE Gifts (International Residents Only) If you want to have the best for your family, try preserving your largesse. Canned fresh fruit, jams, frozen pie fillings, dried fruit chips and leathers; the list goes on, and you can choose based on your family's preferences! We literally canned hundreds of pounds of pears last fall. I usually don't can with sugar, just water and fruit, so I don't worry when the family eats a quart or two at supper. I will do more this year, since we ran out not long after the first of the year! (They LOVE pears!) I enjoy having a pantry full of fresh fruit available and making good use of it. Fruit pies are my husband's favorite -- well, okay, one of his favorites--when it comes to fruit! When we gather fruit in season, I plan for a pie made with those fresh-picked goodies on picking day. Here is a no-fail, delicious, and simple recipe for homemade pie crust: Homemade Pie Crust 5 cups fresh ground flour (I love Montana Wheat's Prairie Gold--but use your favorite here!) 2 tsp. sea salt 2 cups (4 sticks) very cold butter 1/2 to 1 cup of very cold water (I occasionally add a pinch of cinnamon too) Place all ingredients (just 1/2 cup of the cold water to start) in a bowl and mix with a fork until your dough starts to come together. If it's a bit too dry, add some more of your cold water at this point until it forms a ball of dough--but don't overmix! I divide the dough into two pieces, wrap in cellophane, and chill in the fridge for about an hour. Roll out, fit into a pie dish, and bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes for pre-baked pie, or freeze your pie crust shells. Voila! Perfect pie crust! I fill that crust with whatever fruit we just picked or are canning or cutting that day. A basic filling is the following: Basic Homemade Pie Filling 3-4 cups fruit 1-2 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. cinnamon A pinch of sugar Mix it all together well and dump it into your pie crust. Place a sheet of crust over the top. Crimp the edges together and make vents or designs in the top. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. Another easy dessert to make using your fresh or frozen fruits is a cobbler. It's perfect for summer family gatherings, church potlucks, or really, anytime! Fruit Cobbler 1 cup flour 1 egg 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. baking powder (aluminum free) Pinch of sea salt 3-4 cups fruit or berries of your choice Combine all these ingredients in a bowl and mix until crumbly. Fill a greased square (or small round) baking dish with fruit or berries. Sprinkle crumble mixture over the top, then drizzle some melted butter over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. This cobbler is great right out of the oven or cooled slightly. I like to make mine with peaches, pears, apples, or blackberries and serve it up with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream! It's just one of the many ways to enjoy the season's bounty right away and during the chilly days of fall and winter! Lisa Barthuly resides in Washington State with her husband, Marc, and is blessed to be "Mama" to daughters Mercy and Cassandra, as well as Cooter the dog and Whitefoot the kitten. They pray to be blessed with more children and critters, and have a home-based business specializing in all-natural soy and beeswax candles, gifts, books, and other needful things for the homestead at Homestead Originals. Visit them at www.HomesteadOriginals.com or email Lisa at Lisa@HomesteadOriginals.com. Creating a Grab-'n-Go Bag (Part 1)    By Melonie K. Murray I've always been very concerned about emergency preparedness. One of the ways I try to remain prepared is by having a grab-'n-go bag in my truck, checked no less than weekly for any need to refill. Grab-'n-go bags are easy to create for your vehicle, too. Just grab a spare backpack or a retired diaper bag. Make sure it's something that fits easily into your vehicle and can be secured in a trunk, cargo area, wheel well, or other storage compartment. (Remember, in the event of an accident, items like toolboxes and heavy bags can become projectiles. Unsecured toolboxes have literally killed passengers in wrecks!) Purchase a first-aid kit (or create one yourself using a pocket of the backpack or a makeup bag or other storage item) and place it in the grab-'n-go bag. In another pocket or smaller bag, place items such as a flashlight, tube tent, a small roll of twine, multi-tool or Swiss Army knife, roadside flares, filtered canteen, and waterproof matches. Create a snack bag with bottled water and nonperishable food items. I like to keep "treats" that are also healthy in ours--items such as Nutri-Grain bars go far and pack well, plus they don't melt! This isn't the place for chocolate, that's for sure! Pop in a deck of cards, some coloring books and colored pencils (again, nothing that will melt!), and a couple of board books or a crossword puzzle book in case of boredom. Homeschooling the Highschooler... E-Book packed with answers, encouragement, and resources, this e-book will equip you to homeschool through high school with confidence! To order your copy for only $12.45! Lastly, be sure to remember hygiene products. If there are babies or toddlers in the family, stash a pack of wipes and extra diapers in the bag, along with a small, easily folded changing pad. Little ones who are potty training require an extra pair of underclothes and some shorts or pants, while teen girls and moms will want to have staple feminine products in the bag. Don't worry too much about making this bag something that will last you for days on end. The auto grab-'n-go bag is a fill-in for those moments on the road when you've got a kiddo who is "starving," forgot to grab the diaper bag, or get stuck in the snow and need to pass an hour while waiting for a tow. The most important part is to be prepared for emergencies, should they arise; but you may find yourself relying on the grab-'n-go for road trips. Don't we all forget something at some point? Having a grab-'n-go bag in your vehicle could save the day, even when a real emergency isn't at hand. © 2006 Melonie K. Murray Used by permission. Melonie K. Murray is a freelance writer, homeschooling "Momma," and suburban homesteader. You can catch her blogging about business issues at www.SmallBizMentor.com and www.Workerette.com. She writes about her soap opera life at StoptheWorld.ClubMom.com and her adventures as a (mostly) green suburbanite at www.HomesteadBlogger.com/GoingGreen. We hope you've enjoyed this issue of The Homestead e-Newsletter. We'd love to hear what you think about it. Did you try the recipes, craft suggestions, or any of the other tips? We want to hear about it! And we also want to hear your suggestions for future newsletters. Is there a topic you'd like to see covered that we haven't yet? Would you like to contribute a column? Just let us know! You can email me at SeniorEditor@HomesteadBlogger.com. Or just stop by The Front Porch and say hello when you're visiting us at HomesteadBlogger!

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