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Homestead e-Newsletter, August 2006
In This Issue From the Editor -- with Melonie K. Murray Great Uses for Home-Grown Herbs -- by Anne Nitkowski Resources for Herbal Knowledge -- by Melonie K. Murray Summer Barbecues and Picnics at the Homestead -- by Lisa Barthuly Creating a Grab 'n Go Bag (Part 2) -- by Melonie K. Murray
From the Editor    With Melonie K. Murray Happy August, homesteaders! Whether your weather's hot or cool, this is the time of year that many of us are getting things in gear for the fall. The lazy, hazy days of summer won't last much longer, and being prepared is vital before those crisp fall days and cold winter nights are upon us. Both folks with kids in school and homeschoolers who follow the traditional school calendar are getting ready for the new school year thanks to sales on school supplies and back-to-school wardrobe needs. Don't forget, this is the time to check your grab-n-go bags for correct sizes for little ones who have grown this past season! There's more information about grab-n-go bags in this issue of the Homestead e-News, with part two of our three part series addressing "72-Hour Kits." You'll also find some exciting (and easy!) ways to make good use of the bounty of herbs in the garden before foul weather snatches them away thanks to Anne Nitkowski's herbal wisdom. I've also compiled a short resource list to get you started if you'd like to learn more about how to plant and use herbs. As the summer winds down, families are getting in their best shots at get-togethers such as reunions and neighborhood barbecues. My neighborhood is hosting one in just a few weeks, and you can bet I'll be hauling a big bowl of Lisa Barthuly's baked beans to it. Lisa has been kind enough to share a couple of her favorite BBQ recipes with us this month, and I bet you'll walk away from your computer hungry and ready to cook! Do you have wisdom to share or questions to ask when it comes to homesteading? Don't forget to spend some time with us over at HomesteadBlogger. You can post questions, share what you're doing on your homestead, and meet new friends too! We have a very knowledgeable group of bloggers contributing on our Front Porch. Each week they address: 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 own thoughts and ideas. Join us to today on The Front Porch! Melonie K. Murray Great Uses for Home-Grown Herbs    By Anne Nitkowski I have been gardening for over 20 years now. My family and I certainly enjoy the fresh vegetables that we are blessed with each season, and I enjoy the beautiful colors of the flowers that I grow, but growing and using my herbs is what I have come to look forward to each new gardening season. People are always asking what I do with my fresh-grown herbs. Although I use them in many ways, I really enjoy using them to make flavored vinegars. They are so easy to make and have many uses. Any herb or flavored vinegar can be substituted for plain vinegar in a recipe. If you make your own salad dressing, herb vinegar is a wonderful addition. In addition to cooking uses, herbs have cosmetic uses too. My daughters and I use the floral vinegars (rose and lavender) in the bath, and they can also be used as a hair rinse after shampooing. They can be used as a facial toner, and depending on what herbs you choose, you can make an aftershave lotion for your husband. You can even spray your dog with herb vinegar to reduce doggy smells. If you have herbs growing, why not try making herbal vinegar this year? Some general guidelines:      • Cut herbs in the morning, if possible, after the dew has dried but before it gets hot.      • Check the vinegar you are going to use for acidity. Any vinegar with 5% acidity can be used to make herb vinegar. Several different types of commercial vinegars make excellent bases for your homemade herb or fruit flavored vinegars. You can use one type or blend two or three to achieve your desired taste. ~ A collection of our herb vinegars ~ Here are some suggestions to get you started: Rice Vinegar - This is what I use most of the time. It is mild, sweet vinegar that is the perfect base for fruit vinegars, such as raspberry or blueberry.? White Wine Vinegar - This is my favorite for using with the milder herbs. It is delicately flavored vinegar and will not overpower the herbs. It can also be used with fruit. White wine vinegar is an excellent choice when color is important, as when making chive blossom vinegar or opal basil vinegar (both will produce lovely pink colored vinegar). Red Wine Vinegar - This is stronger than white wine vinegar and goes well with the stronger herbs like rosemary, tarragon, basil, and garlic.? Cider Vinegar - Although cider vinegar is a healthy choice, its flavor is too strong and will mask the flavor of the herbs? Distilled White Vinegar - This is the most common type of vinegar, but as with cider vinegar, I find it's too intense and overpowering to use as a base for homemade flavored vinegars. Basic directions: Sterilize pint or quart jars. Gather fresh herbs. Wash herbs and pat dry with paper towels. (Moisture must not be present or it will cause the vinegar to be cloudy.) Put herbs in sterilized jar. Add vinegar to cover the herbs. You can either use it at room temperature or heat the vinegar just until the first bubble or two appear. Do not let it boil, as this will destroy some of the acidity and flavor. Put a non-metallic lid on jar and store in cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Check it after two weeks for flavor and aroma. When the vinegar has reached the desired flavor, strain it to remove the old herbs. You can place one or two fresh herb stems in a sterile bottle for decoration. Pour in strained herb vinegar and cover. Label vinegar. Enjoy. Here are a couple of recipes I like to use my herb vinegars for. Marinated Fresh Vegetables 3/4 cup oil 1/2 cup any flavored vinegar 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 3 Tbsp. sweet onion, finely chopped 1 tsp. dried tarragon 1 tsp. salt 1/2 Tbsp. sugar, if desired 3-4 cups cut up vegetables, such as carrots, onions, tomatoes, pea pods, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflowers, celery, etc. 1. In a bowl, whisk all ingredients except vegetables. 2. Pour marinade over vegetables in a flat, shallow container. 3. Cover and marinate for at least 3 hours. Drain and serve. *** I really like to make Raspberry Vinegar with our own raspberries and use it for the following recipe. ~ Herb Vinegar Jelly ~ Raspberry Fruit Dressing 1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt 3 Tbsp. honey 3 Tbsp. raspberry vinegar 1 Tbsp. raspberry jam Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate in a covered container for 3 hours. Serve over mixed fruit salad (peaches, strawberries, melons, banana slices, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, etc.) Raspberry Vinegar Gently wash fresh raspberries and drain in a colander. Loosely fill a quart canning jar with the raspberries to within 2 inches of the top. Heat white vinegar until the first bubbles appear, and then add it to the raspberries until the jar is filled. Cover with plastic wrap (to prevent acid buildup and rust from the metal top), and screw on the lid. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. After the allotted time, strain the vinegar through a fine meshed strainer lined with a coffee filter (do this step at least twice). Pour into a clean glass bottle and label. Anne Nitkowski is a stay at home, homeschooling mother of 9 from Connecticut. Besides growing and using herbs, she enjoys sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, herbal and nutritional medicine, cooking and baking, Civil War reenacting, tea parties, and blogging at www.HomesteadBlogger.com/BackyardTreasures. Together with her husband, John, they have a nutritional business. Visit them at www.NutritionReallyWorks.com and www.repala.amigohealth.com. Resources for Herbal Knowledge    By Melonie K. Murray Ready to learn more about herbs? Whether you want to grow some goodies in a window box in your sunny downtown apartment or plan to plant a "pizza garden" chock full of sauce tomatoes and all the wonderful plants that can flavor your favorite sauce, these publications will get you started on the road to success. Not interested in cooking, but rather, in healing your mind and body with salves or aromatic herbal treats? You'll find ideas for those steps as well. I've sampled quite a few of the natural, non-toxic or herbal focused periodicals on the newsstands, and these three are my favorites:      • The Herb Quarterly      • Herbs for Health      • Herb Companion Keep in mind that these publications can contain a mixture of secular and New Age-y articles, so Christian readers should use personal discernment with regard to the information and advertisements offered in any and all herb-related publications. I tend to take the important and relevant information and use it as need be, while purposely doing due diligence regarding any companies I consider purchasing products or services from. Regular publications such as Sunset, Natural Home & Garden, and gardening magazines of all sorts often offer insight and suggestions for the herb gardener as well. Hit your local library and ask the staff to direct you toward books about using and preserving herbs as well. I bet they'll find plenty to keep you busy! Summer Barbecues and Picnics at the Homestead    By Lisa Barthuly So, it's your turn to host a family picnic or barbecue full of friends? ENJOY! Simple and delicious are two words I try to stick to when doing any get-together! Who wants to be slaving in the kitchen when company is arriving and spending all that fellowship time watching closely over that special recipe so it doesn't spoil? Not ME! I resort to using the grill when I can, (AHEM, when my husband can), and that keeps us all outside enjoying the weather ... and I try to keep it so everything is made up ahead of time! By prepping the day before, I have no dirty dishes staring at me, a clean kitchen, and peace of mind. Everything is ready--I can enjoy myself too and still serve a memorable meal for others! Here are a few of my family's favorite recipes, both for doing up the day before, and both DEEElicious--perfect any time of year, but especially for a summertime gathering! Enjoy! Barthulys' Baked Beans Break out the Crock-Pot, and enjoy! 1 lb. GOOD bacon: cook and crumble up, drain, set aside 1 lb. GOOD ground beef: cook, drain, set aside 1 large onion chopped fine, set aside 1/4 cup (give or take) brown sugar 1 tsp. chili powder 2 (or 3) large cans Bush's baked beans or Van Camps! Toss it all in the Crock-Pot, stir and let it sit in the Crock for a few hours, and YUM! You don't have to be extremely accurate on the measurements, and I toss in a little cayenne too--make/adjust to your crowd and to your preferences! So simple, so good! Potatoes Romanoff I could eat a ton of these. No joke. So good! Disclaimer: Remember, I am the one who eyeballs all her recipes, and these measurements aren't exact. But they're close--and besides, on this one it doesn't really matter. You mix spuds, cheese, sour cream, and green onion, and you know it's gonna be good! Here we go. • Wash 8-10 medium/larger sized baker spuds. • Put into a large pot of boiling water (jackets on--cut in halves). • Boil until cooked, remove, drain water, let cool. • Grate up about 3-4+ cups cheddar cheese (I love cheese). • Chop 1/4 to 1/2 cup green onions (to your liking). • In a large bowl, combine the following: 2 tsp. sea salt 2 tsp. fresh ground pepper A sprinkle of Johnny's Seasoning Salt (this is a Northwest thing, I think--not required) One pint sour cream (may need another cup or two--this is dependent on how many spuds you cook and how big they actually are) 2 of your cups of grated cheese Half your green onions Once your spuds have cooled down, peel and grate and add them all into the bowl and mix it all up with your hands. You want the mixture stiff, but moistened just a tad by the sour cream. Once mixed, put the mixture in an oven-safe baking dish that has been sprayed or greased lightly. Top with extra cheese and green onions (and maybe some more fresh ground pepper). Cover and put in a 375-degree oven for about 45 minutes or so, removing the foil or cover for the last 15 minutes. 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) My mother and grandmother have made this for years, for my birthdays and holidays, family gatherings, etc. I make it at some holidays and for Sunday suppers sometimes--it's even better made a day ahead and just left to sit in the fridge. Toss it in the oven when you're ready. It is delicious, one of my absolute favorites! Enjoy your summertime barbecues, family get-togethers, or picnics at your homestead--good eats, family and friends, and keeping it simple and delicious. Sounds like a wonderful memory in the making. ENJOY! Lisa Barthuly, her husband, Marc, and daughters Mercy and Cassandra live in Washington State on their little homestead in the foothills of Mount Rainier with Cooter the Dog, Whitefoot the Cat, chickens, and lots of wild critters. They pray for more critters and more children (God has blessed with one more on the way joining them in January!) and love the quiet country life amidst God's creation! Check out their website, Homestead Originals, where they specialize in all natural soy wax candles, books, and specialty gifts. Creating a Grab 'n Go Bag (Part 2)    By Melonie K. Murray Last month we touched on the importance of having an emergency bag in one's vehicle. Not only does this allow you to be prepared in moments of true crisis, but it also comes in handy on road trips when you just can't listen to "I'm hunnngry!" any longer. Grab 'n Go bags also come in handy in the home. A 72-Hour Kit (so called because it should contain the basics to help you survive the vital first 72 hours in an emergency situation) is something that can be pulled together in just a few hours' time and on even the most limited budget. I like to plan for a review of our grab 'n go bags each quarter, in time with the seasons, because it allows me to rotate out food and make adjustments for seasonal clothing needs and growth spurts of little ones (or weight changes for Mom and Dad). Starting your 72-hour kit is simple, and it's an excellent opportunity for the entire family to participate in and learn about emergency preparedness. While several emergency prep companies offer entire kits, complete with hygiene products, rations, and a carrying case, it's much more educational (and cost-effective) to create your own. Start out by doing a Google search for "items needed in 72-hour kit." This search phrase will give you dozens of lists and articles with great suggestions for products and supplies for your kit. Next, get a backpack or other carrying case for each member of the family. While babies certainly can't carry their own kit bags, you should pack one for them. This allows you to quickly access and update the items you'll need for them when the time comes. School-age children can be given a tote or suitcase on wheels that they are able to carry or pull themselves. Don't forget that in the instance of a natural disaster you may be limited to foot travel, and you parents won't be able to bear the brunt of all the carrying at every moment. Teaching our children from the onset to be self-reliant will help the whole family survive, and thrive, together during times of need. Here's a short list of ideas to get you thinking about what to put in the bags for everyone, starting with the smallest of the crew: 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) For babies and toddlers, use a good-sized diaper bag to corral the following necessities: Extra clothing, such as onesies, leggings, long-sleeved shirts, and other items that can be layered for extra warmth or to replace wet or soiled clothes. A rugged blanket or small quilt that can be used for warmth, swaddling, playing on at a campsite, or comfort and shade in a backpack carrier. Diapers and wipes, along with other hygiene items regularly used. (This isn't the time to find out about an allergy to a new baby lotion!) Baby food and water. Even if your baby is breastfed, consider packing some instant formula. Should a disaster lead to your family living on rations less than you are accustomed to for an extended period, a mother's milk supply may be less than adequate to keep baby well fed. Don't forget extra "loveys," such as binkies, teether toys, or a small stuffed toy. A bored baby is an unhappy baby, and an unhappy baby will add to the stress in an uncomfortable, disastrous situation. If affordable, keep an extra stroller on hand where your grab 'n go bags are stored. An all-terrain stroller with a roomy basket below will come in handy not just for toting Junior, but also his gear or that of a tired sibling. Again, this is perfect if you end up on foot! Put your little one in a backpack or front carrier for warmth and security and use the stroller to haul gear instead. For school-age children, consider a backpack or duffel bag that is child-sized and has wheels on it. Kids can tote their own items for a while, taking some of the strain off your back, and adding a feeling of responsibility and pride for helping out during an emergency. Just make sure they can pull it without hurting themselves! As with tots, place extra clothing, accurately sized and seasonally appropriate, in each child's bag or tote. A blanket or even a compact sleeping bag, along with a tube tent, for shelter. Rations, including water and snacks, along with eating utensils. Don't forget that water is heavy; don't expect your preschooler to be able to haul a half dozen bottles of water on an hour-long hike through a neighborhood hit by a tornado and strewn with objects to be avoided. Don't hesitate, however, to challenge your child to carry at least some of his rations! You may be surprised at how he'll rise to your expectations if it's discussed and practiced in advance. A whistle, a flashlight with an easy-on button (small hands can't always power hand-cranked flashlights), a personal first-aid kit (consider letting your child select some fun Band-Aids for her kit so bumps and bruises are less traumatizing if they occur), sunglasses, sunscreen, and hygiene products. Paper and pencils, or even a small activity book and a pack of compact colored pencils. Don't forget a security lovey, even if your child seems to have outgrown dolls or toys. Even older children need something familiar during crises too! Teens and adults can, and should, carry much more involved packs. You won't be able to lug a suitcase along, but a large backpack or even a rucksack from a military surplus store will be perfect. Adults should tote their own rations, clothing, hygiene products, and blanket/sleeping bag along with the following: Certified copies of all important documents, including children's birth certificates, marriage certificates, and copies of identification such as a driver's license and Social Security cards. Cash and an extra set of keys. (Don't forget to secure your home, vehicles, and all outbuildings if you must leave your property in an emergency!) A family first-aid kit Hand-cranked radio and/or two-way radio set (cell phones may run out of juice or not have service, but a family can stay in contact with a good set of two-ways!) Cooking utensils and a small camp stove if possible A waterproof tinderbox with matches and other fire-starting necessities An extra canteen and water purification tablets A tube tent or, if possible, a larger tent that can be carried while attached to the frame of a hiking pack Extra medications as necessary for any member of the family on prescribed medications Rope, fishing gear, a disposable camera (or two), paper or a bound journal, and pencils/colored pencils. Adults can pass the time by journaling their experiences or making lists and maps to refer back to at a later date. These suggestions are by no means exhaustive! Get started on some basic research today, and then pack your 72-hour kit. Creating your family's kits can be a perfect weekend educational experience, and just about all of the items needed can be found at your local camping store, military surplus, or discount store such as Target or Wal-Mart. When the time comes to "grab and go," you'll be ready! © 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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