Jordan's Farm

The Jordans did it again!!

What’s going on here? 11/17/08

I have been taking naps and rest when I can. Sorry to say, I only do what has to been done in the house and on the farm. My house is a mess. But trying to do it all was not working well. So now I do what I can, and the rest is on hold until I get time. So when you come over just don’t look around to much. When Tommy’s up, I do nothing but spend time with him. I still have not gotten the bunk bed set put together or the sewing room done and ready for my daughter and company.

So those of you out there trying to be a super mom/wife, you had better slow down, and enjoy life more, one day at a time. Because the days and time pass to fast. I have learned this lesson the hard way. I can’t do it all.( boy, is that hard to say) I do what I can, and leave the rest to the Lord. Spotless house or time with my family and rest for me??? I guess I’m as hard headed as Tommy. (don’t tell him I said that or I’ll never hear the end of it.)

Thank you Melaine and girls for the wonderful dinner brought last night, and the smile you put of Tommy’s face with your hugs and smiles. And thank you for your prayers. Melaine told Tommy that her children pray nightly for him, hearing that really blessed us. Melaine, thank you very much for your friendship. I pray that God would bless your family to overflowing and fill you all with His peace.

Thank you all who have signed the guestbook at Caring Bridge Site for Tommy, as your comments have blessed Tommy and myself. Knowing so many of you really care and are praying for us is a wonderful blessing to us. Thank you for taking the time to pray for us and leave your comments saying so. May God bless you all to overflowing.

Very humbled and blessed,

Becky

I need someone to stand in the gap

I need someone to stand in the gap of prayer for Tommy and I. Tommy had a really bad night last night, and I'm worn out body, mind, and soul. All I can seem to pray is "Lord, I believe, please help my unbelief". I need strength and wisdom today. Tommy needs to be eased from his pain and rest. Please pray for us.

Thank you,

Becky

Updates - Tommy & farm 11/7/08

(This post will be on my blogs and Caring Bridge, this time they’ll be the same as to save a little time this morning.) Sorry it’s been a few days; good, bad and busy.

First off Tommy:

( Wed.) Tommielynn and I came back from town to find: Tommy up and dressed, the hospice nurse and social worker here. And Tommy grinning from ear to ear. I asked him why? He said I got the tractor fixed while you were gone, and I needed my vit. D from the sun and it felt great. He looked wonderful and his smile was so bright. The hospice people were please with how he was doing today. He did get sick twice before dinner, and was really tried this evening, but he was still smiling. Tasha brought us KFC chicken for dinner, which he ate and keep down.

(Thurs.) Tommy was really tried and hurting in his legs bad, and his nerves were bad again. He really enjoyed talking to everyone who called/ he called. He did not get sick at all. He is still riding his bike in the evenings. Farm:

Well I took my computer in Wednesday to see what was wrong with it. The guy said it had a very bad virus, that wiped out my computer. And this virus had hit hundreds of people so far. He could not find nothing left on it. Tommielynn and I just started crying. All of our family photos, all my research for cancer, everything I had done for the last year, GONE. Tommielynn said what about the photos of my dad? The guy said they were gone. That hurt us both the most. When I told Tommy, he was in tears too. So the guy reinstalled what he could and installed avast antivirus and spybot on my computer(he said this is what he uses on his computers and it’s free from the internet), and gave me a 4MG USB 2.0 Data Traveler to save my things to until I could buy a cd burner to save to. My cd only plays. (Does any one know how much information and photos I can put on 4MG?)

So any of you who I have personally e-mailed, Please send me a short e-mail so as I can get your address in the book againThis is why some of you have not heard from me. And for our family, if you have photos please burn them to cd’s for us and send them, please. We have none left. I can’t save them until I get a CD burner. .

I have only the photos on my blogs, which I am so very thankful for. Tommy was really worried about Caring Bridge too, I told him it was saved to the internet. Which he did not understand, as he does not do computers. I told him it was still there. Which he and I are thankful for too. My best links where saved on my blogs too. Now I just have to refind all the others. So I have been trying to get the computer , Becky friendly again. So please bear with me. I will be posting more as I get this thing working again.

My daughter ,Tasha, came by Wednesday and told us we were going to be grand parents in about June. Then she called last night and said her land lord wants her out by Dec. So back home she comes. We are happy to be grandparents, life happens. Just love and go on. So my sewing/computer room is getting yet another make over. I really need a bigger house. LOL This will be my first grand baby. For those of you who are already grandmoms, do you have any helpful hints? Tommy swears it’s going to be a boy, and he was right about Tommielynn being a girl. So we will see if he is right again.

Well I had better get things moving this morning.

Hope you all have a blessed day.

Becky

Farm Life Update - 11/4/08

Thank you for the recipes and prayers

Thank you all for the recipes. Yes, I do have a crock pot. I have printed off the recipes you left and Tommielynn is getting to pick out which one’s she wants for dinner, which she loves. They all sound so good. Thank you again.

Yesterday and last night were bad for Tommy. I updated Caring Bridge last night and will update it nightly now. Tommielynn finally accepted the fact that her dad is dying. She broke down last night. We have told her everything, every step of the way. Please say a prayer for her.

Thank you all for your prayers as they get us from day to day. And all your wonderful comments really touch my heart. To know some many people care and are praying for us is a wonderful feeling. Thank you all again. May God bless you all to overflowing.

Very thankful and humbled,

Becky

Help - I need fast, easy, good meals

So I’m asking for fast, easy, good recipes.

Thank you,

Becky

Homemade Ideas and Memories

Well I have been up since 3:30 am with Tommy this morning. I got him settled and back to bed, now I'm wide a wake. So here I am, I can do this quietly.

Turns out that we all really like using the flannel napkins and tissues. Because some of them are so cute even my 11 yr. old has stopped using her clothes to wipe her nose. She now is always carrying one around with her. And showing them off to all her friends. 

You say you can't sew a straight line. So,who cares. I don't know of any sewing police out there. No sewing machine, hand sew. I did for 5 years before I got a machine, or borrow one. Not all my lines are straight. I am no master sewer. I do the best I can and that's it.  I know your family is not doing to say, "I'm not using this, the lines are not straight."

Yesterday, at the thrift store, I found some really cute flannel baby blankets for 10 cents each. I bought what they had, 5. I will just cut these into fourths, and only have to hem two sides. This is a time saver. I still have not finished all the others yet. But they are using them, and liking it and you can't beat the price.

I also found those  small square baby  water proof changing pads for 10 cents each.  And bought 4, this was all they had.(we have a lot of wood furniture in our home).  These I will cut some into coasters for drinks, some put under plants, and I have 2 uncut ones on my dryer under the clothes soap and vinegar. ( so as not to farther rust the top of my dryer, which we have had for 13+ years now). I have some cut to go between the homemade pads and underwear for leak protection, they are very bendable. When they are dirty, just wash and dry them. When they are cut they do not have to be hemmed, oh what a blessing. Usually one side is a solid  color and the other at times has a pattern on it.  You could always sew a piece of fabric on top to match the colors in your home.

The bigger crib/chair/bed water proof pads: can be cover with  fabric on top and used in to bathroom when getting out of the shower (shower mat). No more wet floors and its washable, without the backing wearing off. These bigger pads I have picked up used for $.50 to $1.00. The top fabric can easily be changed as needed.  These can be used too, for homemade pads, just add a soft top, but do not sew down middle, just outside edges. Do not sew in the middle, just sew the fabric to the outside edges, when making a shower mat. As sewing in the middle will cause them to leak where the needle has gone through.

Those nice quilted mattress covers, at thrift stores here sell for about a dollar. They can be used to make pot holders, and batting in quilts. I made one quilt using this, and it was so much easier. As the cover was already quilted, no more batting balling up when washed. So what if there is a few stains, wash and use, who is going to take it part to see the stains. They can be cut to go into homemade pads too as the center. Or used to make a chair cushion, or foot stool pads. Just sew layers together until you get the thickness you want. 

Earlier before I left for town Saturday morning, Tommy asked me to buy a pumpkin, for him and Tommielynn to carve. As we have never carved one. Tommielynn picked out the biggest one she could carry. When we got home she had to bring it in to show her daddy. The smiles on both their faces and the laughter in their voices was worth more than $6. Tommy can no longer run outside to watch her do something new, or play with her like he used too. Carving a pumpkin, he can do in the house sitting down, and do it with her. It's the little things in life that make the best memories. This will be one I will never forget.

With hard times hitting everyone, please take some time to make some happy memories of your own. Once today is gone, you can not get it back. The best happy memories are usually free or very cheap.

God bless you all,

Becky

My time here

It has been a rough few weeks here. Tommy has not been doing good. Hospice is now coming out twice a week. Please keep praying for him. And thank you for all the prayers that are going up now.

Ok, as for my time here writing post. I really enjoy all of you and writing posts. But I need to send as much time with Tommy as I can, taking care of him, etc. I will still be writing posts but I'm not sure now often. I will be checking in here as often as I can to answer your questions and writing posts. But now, it might take me a few days to do that. If you have not heard from me in a while, you can check here: Updates on Tommy’s Health. This is were I keep everyone up to date on Tommy's health. I will post there more than here. As we have family and friends all over the USA and Canada. I hope you all will understand.

Wednesday, I made two batch of homemade ice cream for Tommy. It's one of the few things he can keep down. And Tommielynn loves it too. 

A friend, Beth, brought us two dinners yesterday. Oh what a great blessing. By dinner time I'm worn out. Poor Tommielynn has had cereal or bag noodles a few times these past few weeks. She was so thankful for the dinners, and Beth became her best friend when one of those dinners was chicken.

I have been (when Tommy is sleeping) redoing the sewing room. I have too rearrange it. So as to get the bunk bed set put in there. There is a twin top and a full bottom. Shawn, my son, is supports to come by soon and help me put it together. We will being having family and friends coming in, who need a place to sleep. With this set more people can stay here.

With the donations given here, we have been able to get the heater tanks refilled, and more. They have been such a wonderful blessing. Thank you again to all who gave; and those that could not give, thank you for your prayers. With out your prayers I/we would never make it through all of this. But with your prayers and by God's grace, we are making it, one day at a time.

With this blog, God has brought such wonderful people into our lives, oh what a great blessing. And here I thought I was writing to help others, when really you all were/are helping me. Thank you.

God Bless you all,

Becky

Becky's Farm Life

Road Ahead - recipes from Scratch - Part 6

These are the recipes I use weekly.

Pie crust or pastry( chicken and pastry dinner)

3 cups sifted all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking power

1 cup lard or shortening

1 eggs

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

5 tablespoons ice water

Sift flour with salt, baking powder. Cut lard into flour mixture until crumbs form. Beat egg lightly and add to mixture. Add lemon juice, and water. Stir with a fork until blended. Roll out on a lightly floured space. makes 2 pie crust.

for pastry: roll out very thin, cut into squares or strips, drop into boiling broth and chicken. Cook about 10 more minutes. This is like a chicken and dumplings but the pastry's taste almost like a noodle. I usually have to double the recipe as they eat it up fast here.

No bake Choc. Oatmeal Cookies

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup cocoa

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 1/2 cups quick oats

Mix sugar, butter, cocoa, milk in a pan over med. heat, boil 1 minute.

remove from heat, stir in peanut butter, then quickly stir in oatmeal.

then drop by spoon fulls on to wax paper.

Chocolate Cream Pie ( this will disappears very fast)

makes 2- 9" pies

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup all purpose flour

3 eggs, beaten

12 oz. can evaporated milk

1 1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 baked pie shells

Combine sugar, cocoa, flour in a heavy sauce pan, stir to remove lumps.

combine eggs, milk, water in a mixing bowl.

gradually add milk mixture to cocoa mixture, stirring until well blended.

Cook over med. heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, stir until butter is melted.

pour in to pie shells and chill. then top with whipped cream. ( you had better hide one)

Creamed Cheese Peas (the only way my kids will eat peas)

1/2 stick butter

2-3 tablespoons flour

6 slices of cheese ( or a jelly jar of the canned cheese sauce in the recipe tab)

1 can of peas

In a sauce pan add butter, melt butter over med. heat, stir in flour and add a pinch of salt, stir until it thickens. then add about 6 slices of cheese and stir until the cheese melts, then add a can of strained peas.

Quick Pizza Dough

2 cups flour

2 1/4 teaspoon yeast

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup lukewarm water

Dissolve yeast in water, mix flour and salt together then mix with yeast mixture. let sit covered for 5 minutes. grease pan and sprinkle with flour. form crust and let it rest for about 10 minutes. (to prevent sogginess, coat lightly with oil or non-stick cooking spray).

add toppings. bake at 400* for about 20 minutes.

An even faster pizza: use English muffin halves, and add topping.

Coconut Dream Bars (a heavenly treat)

Bake at 350* , 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown, in a 13 X 9 pan

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

3 eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups coconut

Combine flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, butter until particles are fine, use low speed of mixer. press into the bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9 pan and bake at 350* for 15 minutes. beat 1 1/2 cups brown sugar with eggs , just until blended. mix in remaining ingredients, spread over partially baked crust. bake 20 -25 minutes or until golden brown. cool and cut.

I know this is mostly sweets. But in hard times this is what is cut first from the food bill. And having sweets around always makes hard times a little easier on old and young alike.  

What is your best sweets recipe? Would you share it here with us?

Have a great day,

Becky

Road Ahead - Canning Meats - Part 5

Ok, you find a great sale on meat but don't have room in your freezer; a friend is sharing their deer meat with you.

I have canned meat. Talk about a quick meal: open a jar of beef, potatoes, carrots, put in a pot and add some seasoning and you have beef stew. Open a jar of chicken and add noodles, a great soup.

Canning Meats

This is raw packing meat( which means you don't cook the meat first), beef, pork, chicken, deer, veal, mutton, lamb. Cut meat off the bones.(save meaty bones for canning broth below).

Cut the meat into jar length chucks or slice into 1" slices, cube it like for beef stew.

Pack into jars loosely.

if desired add 1/2 teaspoon salt to pints, and 1 teaspoon to quarts.

pour in hot broth or water over  the meat: leaving 1" head space.

remove air bubbles, put lids on.

Pressure can at 10 pounds pressure:

Pints: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Quarts: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Canning Broths or Stock

Meaty beef bones or deer bones or chicken bones:

boil and simmer 2-3 hours, remove bones, skim off excess fat off the top, strain the liquid.

pour into jars, put lids on.

Pressure can at 10 pounds pressure:

pints: 20 minutes

quarts: 25 minutes

Or the broth can be frozen if you have the room.

Waste not,want not. I try to use everything. And after the meaty bones are done into a broth you can also can the meat off them, the bones go to the dogs and cats.

Happy canning,

Becky

Road Ahead - Part 4 - making more at home

Well I have made 2 batches of homemade ice cream. And for some reason it's so much better than store bought. I have never worked out the price to make it, as we have milk and eggs here. We save up ice to make it.

A trip to town yesterday was an eye opener. Gas here was down to $2.78 a gallon.  I'm trying to restock some of the sugar I've used. (so as my stock does not get to low going into the winter). And do you know the 5 pounds bags are gone with the wind.  All I could find where 4 pound bags for the same price as the 5 pound. I was not a happy camper. Some lady in the store said, "They changed to 4 pounds two months ago. Why are you so mad,now?" And as nicely as I could told her about my stocking and that I was just refilling my stock. And then I got the funny look from her, and she asked why I was stocking up? I just rolled my eyes, sorry to say, and went on. Potatoes, these are now gold in this area. Early this year, 10 lbs. $1.49, 50 lbs.$7.00, now 10 lbs are $4.99 and the 50 lbs. jump to $18.99. I bought one 10 lbs bag, why not the 50 lbs? Well we wanted some french fries(it's been a month and half since we have had any), and the frozen french fries were even higher. I have some canned potatoes and instant mashed potatoes . We use to eat potatoes about every night, now maybe 2-3 times a week. Which is killing my 11 year old daughter.

I am now only buying staples at the store. I was buying a off brand hamburger helper ( for a fast meal) but the last two boxes I bought had a flavor of nothing but salt. So no more prepackaged foods. If I can not make it from scratch, we don't eat it. I have put my foot down on cereal too( the only prepackaged food I buy as I have not learned to make it), as the price is the same but the ounces keep going down. I'll buy one box a week that is not more than $2.00. Which has my 11 yrs. old checking prices and ounces better than before. Yesterday at Save A Lot, she was almost in tears. She said, "Mom, my cereal is now $1.89 a box and two weeks ago it was $1. 69 and 2 ounces larger." She knows I will not buy it when it goes over $2.00. I think this mess is hurting the children hard. Yes, I know there are other foods for breakfast but we also use cereal as snacks( because we have so much milk).

I need to keep an eye out for milk prices as our milk cow is slowly drying up. (We are praying the bull in the pen with her, has done his job.) We are now getting about 2 gallons and a quart a day. I am still freezing and canning.

But we are  using/drinking a gallon a day. So I'm not sure now long my stock will last. 

Collodial Silver Water - Natural Antibiotic

I first tried this, a few weeks ago. And I love it. I had a super bad ear infection, which meant I needed an super antibiotic( I used pill antibiotics for 20 days). I could not hear out of my ear for almost 3 weeks. A friend said to try this Collodial silver water. And I did, with in 3 days, I could hear again. Then I goggled it and found more uses. Here is one: Usages. And another friend has the machine to make it at home and is going to make me some( thank you Angela). The last few days, I have been checking out herbs and their usages. Finding out which I can grow at home, which grow in the woods and fields around me. Please check into this.

My son got me an "Natural Remedies Encyclopedia" with  908 pages. He had gotten it earlier this year so that I could find things that might help Tommy with his cancer. I know this is an other must have book.

Here at Amazon 

This book is not cheap, runs from $50.00 and up. (Maybe you can ask your son too, as we could not have bought it our selves).If you are like me and know very little about herbs, it's great. And if you already know about using herbs, it has everything in one book. This book tells you everything, from photos of the herbs to making them, and what herbs to use for what.  My son blessed us in more than one way with this book. This book covers a lot of every day things too. And think of all the money you will be saving, no more waiting in the doctors office for two hours.  You say your not a doctor and will not know what your treating. Well the book also list symptoms, causes, natural remedies and is written by MD's. I am not saying never go to the doctors, just not as much. With money tight you want to do all you can to save it. Some of the herbs are growing in your back yard for free. You moms with kids, I know you get tired of going in for ear infections, the Collodial silver water works and the book will give you more herbs and ways.

There are a very few books I put on my must have list. But the ones that are on this list are the best out there. And most cover everything in a subject. I have a most have gardening book, I'll  tell you about next time.

The more thing I can make/ or do at home, the less money I'll have to spend. Everything I am doing takes more time than money. Time I have, money very little of.  A few years ago, I would of never dream of using herbs, as I only knew a very few people who used them, so I did not know much about them myself. I had nothing against them or using them. I guess you could say I didn't need them. Then Tommy got sick and  this opened my eyes to herbs. I don't know a lot about them YET, but I'm learning daily. And I'm thankful the Lord supply's all our needs, even in the back yard. 

Happy herb hunting,

Becky

Road Ahead - Part 3

This economic mess is not getting better. I know gas price are down, oil prices by the barrel  are down, the stock market is on an up swing and something is just not right( some have called it a momma thing). I know it looks good and sounds even better, but it's not. It has taken us over a year and  half to get in this mess, it will not clear up in an week or two. Please don't think everything is find and dandy now. Don't let your guard down, please. I do not have a master's degree or PhD. in  our economics, I'm a simple housewife/ mother. But I do know how to handle money in a home and business and what will happen when it's not used right.  This will take years to fix, not weeks. Some of you see this as great news, and are going back to life as before. I am warning you to keep a hold of your money and keep watching your spending. This is not over, it's just starting. I don't know all the proper words for this mess, but I do know it's not as good as it looks and sounds. This money going out has to be backed by something, has to come from some where, Where? What?  The US owes more money than we can pay back in years. The News has said that the people(you and I) have over used the credit system, and are in to much debt. Well I'm sure our debt is not as large as the USA's. What happens to you and I ,when we over charge our credit cards and can't pay them back and spend out side our means?  Bankruptcy, can't pay our bills, no money for food. Now think a little bigger (times a few million+). What will happen when much more money is spent and borrowed on credit and can't be paid back on time?

The government has put a pretty flowered band- aid on this mess, while the sore below get worse. What's going to happen when the band- aid falls off?  If you don't really see the sore, it does not hurt as bad and at times you forget it's there.

I think the worse and hardest times are to come. This is now I feel and what I think. A wolf has come in, in sheep's clothing. And I know some you think I'm over reacting and that's your right. But this is me and how I think and believe. I'm trying to pull the wool back off some of your eyes.  

I'm not trying to start a panic or make things look worse than they are, just telling you all what I see. Every one wants things to go back  to the way they were, and they will in a few years, but not now. I don't want more people to be blind sided this go around. Please prepare for your family, think twice before buying something, and pray a lot.

In all my life, I never thought I'd write posts like these.  Why, now? I'm really not sure. I feel very strongly about warning people. This is not an area I know a lot about. But then when I put it in a family aspect and did some multiplying by big numbers it became a little more clearer.

I know I'm not alone in my thoughts. As a friend, Janet, came by last night and felt the same way.  She too, sees people who think it's all getting better, but it's not.

Please pull the band-aid off and take a really good look. Are we in a recession and heading for a depression?

Do you agree or disagree with this post? I would really like to know.

Becky

Road Ahead - Part 2

The Encyclopedia of Country Living , An Old Fashioned Recipe Book

By: Carla Emery

This is a great book. And a must have for everyone.  Even if you don't live on a farm, or you don't want to grow your own food, you want nothing to with animals. This book has everything in it. In hard times, this book will tell you how to do everything and in good times, it'll make your life easier. I usually do not talk highly of books. But please try and get this book, ask for it as a gift, or save your change, give it as a gift.  It will be the very best investment you can make. The book price runs $20 -$30, see if you can go in half's with a friend to start with. I know this is a lot on money right now, but I know you will not be sorry. If I could only have one book, this would be it.  The book photo shows the edition I have, but there is a newer one( I'm saving my change to get it).

To get a look at the inside of the book click this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1570615535/ref=sib_dp_pop_fc?ie=UTF8&p=S001#reader-link

To see about price and ordering here: http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Country-Living-Carla-Emery/dp/1570615535/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

Water Storage

I know I gave you a few links but I want to do a little more as this is a very needed thing. Before we got our storage water tank, these are ways/ were I stored water. They say to store 3 -7 days water. But I took it a little farther, 1 month. You say that's a lot of water, not really if you reuse it.

Ways/were/reuse

• fill 2 liter bottles and stick in closets, under beds, in the freezer( if you lose power, they can be put in coolers to keep things cold, then as they melt you have drinking water)
• 5 gallon buckets with lids ( the old paint buckets, use this water to flush the toilets, only) some of these can be left outside to freeze as long as they are not filled to the rim. I did store some in the outside sheds and barns. When a bucket became empty, I filled it with water. If I really needed the bucket for something else, just dump out the water and dry.
• Water needs to be stored were no sun light can get to the water.  our water tank is almost clear and sits outside on it's own little deck. At the thrift store, I bought old blankets and covered the tank. And it worked great. No green water for two years now. The blankets also help to keep the water from freezing in the winter. On top of the blankets (in winter time) I place a dark colored trap, which helps to keep the water from freezing. On the neck part, where the water comes out, I wrap it in old wool sweaters. And it worked to keep it from freezing.
• Save the water you use to rinse the dishes and wash hands in, and put it in a 5 gal. bucket in the bath room, to use to flush the toilet.
• Plastic trash cans (unused, new) with lids, to store water in, if they have to be left out side, do not fill full. Used cans can be filled for flushing toilet.
• If you know ahead of time that a storm is coming: fill your washing machine , bathtub, any large pot and pans you might have, coolers,  up.  Then use this water first, before using your stored water. I have two of those 5 gallon drinking coolers on my front porch, year round, and change the water once a month. They have never froze, but we usually don't get colder than about 0. 
• For those of you who do canning, take your extra jars and can some water. I have some 1/2 gallon jars, that you are really not to can food in (nothing but apple juice), I use these to can water. This water can be used to clean wounds, to drink, etc.
• Milk jugs really are not strong enough to store water in. And they leak so easily. Reuse plastic juice bottles, 2 liter bottles, 16 oz. soda/water bottles.
• The big tub plastic tots with lids are good to store water in. Throw a sheet over them and you have a little table. 
• Use the water in your hot water heater. I'm not sure I'd drink it, but can be used for washing and toilets.
• If your stored water turns green, use it to flush the toilet.

I went one time with very little water stored, for three days. I was not a happy camper. It just takes one time for me.  You might think I store to much water, well we'll see. This is the most important thing I store, and I'll not be caught short handed again. And I really do not want any of you to come up short here. It's not a pretty sight.

With a hard winter coming it's best to store some water. Why? What if you can't pay your power bill on time and it takes you a few days to get the money up? What if a big storm comes? What if your well goes dry/pump breaks? What if the city water lines break or go down or run out of water?The what if's are endless. Please store some water. It does not cost to store water. Just look around your home for things to use. Everyone is storing food and other things getting ready for winter and the hard times ahead. How is your water storage? How many days can you go?

Until next time,

Becky

All the these posts will be tagged as "Road Ahead" and other tags, but to see just these, click on the tag "Road Ahead" in the categories drop down box.  I thought about giving these posts their own tab, but I think this will work better. And make it easier for you all to get too.

Getting ready for the Road Ahead- part 1

Economic Situation - Recession - Life Ahead : this post was the first, and you all asked for links and more of what I was printing off.

In these posts, I will list links to things I'm printing off. ( I started out just taking notes as we did not have a printer). Now most of these sites have a lot of other great information on them and ideas, some of which I know will not work in our family or will be to costly, but might work in yours.

When I look up something, I make sure it's the cheapest and works the best. And I try and make sure it's with things I have easy access to, or have a lot of uses for.

Most of you have seen this one, but to me it's my best find so far.

I found  this recipe and like it the best for a few reasons: I can get Ivory soap bars for 3 for a dollar and baking soda is cheap, both Ivory and baking soda store just about forever, not a lot of work to make, can be used to clean other things.  I have bought Ivory and as have baking soda, for when it’s need. I really don't want to work with lye.

Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipe this recipe is in the Home Tips tab at the top of the page here. I got this at:  10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes   ( Recipe #8) There are other recipes here, too.

Homemade Sanitary Pads , I have made these and used them too.

End Times Reports Site Index : this is a great site. I have gotten a lot here. Stop in and see if it has something else for you. Below are posts I like: Building a solar oven

Making candles

An inexpensive water filter ,

Emergency Food and Water Supplies - from FEMA ,

WATER TANK STERILIZATION ,

STORING WATER IN 2 LITER POP BOTTLES ,

WATER DISINFECTION ,

Home Remedies ,

Survival and Austere Medicine  (long .pdf download)  Very good! (it's 213 pages long, just print off what you need and save to your computer)

Powdered Milk Recipes

Making and using a solar cooker with photos ( I like this one the best)

Using herbs 

Homemade Convenience Foods : a lot of good recipes here.  

Food, Food Storage and Food Tips :  a lot here, you can pick and choose.  

Cloth Toilet Paper,towels, napkins  (still sewing these)

How To's --Knitted Socks with photos , When I first started knitting, I started with this. She gives step by step with photos. Here is the pattern it's self: An very easy knitted sock pattern step by step great -  started

Today, I added bleach ( 1 cup)to my water storage tank (425 gallons). Then I stirred it up and will let it sit for a day.  Then I will drain it and refill with fresh water. Why do I drain it after I put the bleach in? Well it helps to keep the inside of the tank clean. And when I drain it out, there is still water (about 25 gallons) in the bottom.  Adding fresh water to that little bit of water with some bleach still in it, has no different taste to it than out of the sink. But still has enough bleach to keep water good and clean all winter. The power goes out here a lot in the winter, so we have a water storage tank. Before we got the tank, I had 2 liter bottles and milk jugs filled with water in every hiding place I could find. Do you know how many milk jugs of water it takes to keep a milk cow in water? Too, too many.

Do you have any water stored up?

 This should keep you all busy for a day or two, while I get the next post ready.  Here I need your help too. So if you have found something you want to share with everyone, please put it in the comment part and I'll add it to the next post too. ( to make it easier for all to get to.) 

What are you looking up and printing off?

Happy printing,

Becky

All the these posts will be tagged as "Road Ahead" and other tags, but to see just these, click on the tag "Road Ahead" in the categories drop down box.  I thought about giving these posts their own tab, but I think this will work better. And make it easier for you all to get too.

Economic Situation - Recession- Life ahead

It's time to take this serious. This is not going away any time soon. Those of you who thought this would blow over, well it hasn't, it's blown up. And now it's effecting the whole world.  I'm not telling you to start worrying but if you have not started preparing, you had better start now. This will take years, yes years, to get worked out. Take a really good look around you, this is touching everyone you know.  Some of you might think that I'm just over reacting and that I'm trying to start a panic, well I'm not. I just want people to open their eyes before it's to late for them to do anything.  And I'm sorry to say, I don't think our government can fix it now, only the good Lord can. This is effecting more and more people, day by day, and around the world.  We should start helping each other, bring bartering back from the old days, start growing more of our food in the USA and in our yards, trade things, learn from each other, stop living outside our means, stop waiting for the government to help us as they can't help themselves. Am I downing the USA and our government, no, I'm saying we all are human and even they make mistakes. And some mistakes are not made right over night.

What can you do now?

1. pray
2. get knowledge on every thing you can
3. stock a little of something every time you can
4. start reading up on growing a garden next year, look into a few chickens
5. find ways to make do with what you have
6. read , talk to people, learn something new

I am searching the Internet as often as I can, and I am saving the  information to my computer and printing it off. There will come a time when we will no longer be able to pay the Internet bill, which will mean I will really need the information I looked up. Yes, ink and paper cost money, but if you change the font to small, you can it a lot on one page and print on both sides. I have a new folder called "Making do in hard times", when I print it off, it goes right into this folder.

Here are a few of the things I looking up: healing herbs, how to cook over a camp fire and in the ground with coals, homemade reusable pads and napkins and bath paper,other uses for things you already have, what wild plants are eatable, ways to store water and ways to make it safe to drink, homemade solar ovens from things around your home, washing clothes by hand, making clothes soap,  storing meat without a canner/freezer/cooking it,  make candles from candle ends and leftovers, what wild plants can my farm animals eat safely or what can I grow for them: if I can no longer buy feed for them,ways to keep food good without canning/freezing/ ice boxes, homemade tooth paste, the list goes on and on.

Will I ever need to use all these things? I hope not, but I can if I need too. ( and with them in the folder, my great grand kids might need the information). I don't do all this now, but I do have the how to's when I need them. Some of these, I have already started doing just to save money. 

Get the knowledge now, for when it's needed later. Prepare for the very worse and pray hard for the best.

 In God We Trust,

Becky

Lessons Learned

With our potato crop not doing well this year, we did not get enough potatoes to last us until next year, first time in ten years, I bought instant potatoes and the dried sliced potatoes in boxes. First lesson, when trying something new with your family, only buy 1 box, (I bought 10). The sliced potatoes(with cheese, seasonings, etc.) I fixed twice, the dogs would not even eat them. And I even doctored them up, adding more seasonings. They tasted awful to us. I know some of you really like these kinds of potatoes, but after you have lived on real potatoes for years, these are really awful, and that's being nice. As for the instant mash potatoes, well we can eat them if I add enough butter and cream to them. I know you are supports to add milk, but I have a lot of cream, and the cream helps them taste better.  Store bought food is not looking good, we may not eat our usual  amount of potatoes this winter. Tommy says it's my fault they will not eat these things as I have spoiled them with fresh home grown foods. Now it's my fault, what am I to do?

Having to stay in the house to watch and listen for Tommy, I have knitted 2 pairs of house socks and working on my third. I cut a set of queen flannel sheets into 10" squares to use as tissues and napkins. Second lesson, that's a lot of hemming to do. And don't think you can get it done in one day at the kitchen table. This is not possible, the sack is very tall, and took me a whole day just to cut them out.

Third lesson , the harder you try to be quiet, the more noise you make. This goes for old and young alike.

Fourth lesson, don't try and feed your family store bought cakes or cookies, even if they are given to you. They make funny faces and weird sounds and want to know what they did wrong.

Last lesson, don't spoil your family as this makes it really hard on you. An easy night in the kitchen is 1 hour instead of 3 hours. So much for store bought. Please don't get me wrong, I love my family and love cooking for them, and will keep doing so. And at times I think twice about making something new from scratch as I know I will then always have to make it from scratch. But I keep doing it, just to see the smiles on their faces, and their big belly's.

I really enjoy the way we live. To me it's the best for all, a little work, a little good food, a little fresh air, a little fun, a lot of smile, a few tears, lots and lots of prayer, a little rain, a little sun, a lot of great friends. Boy, life is good, and God has blessed us all.

Well I better get this day started and see what I have to get into.

Becky

P.S. As an award to my family for having to eat store bought goods, I have to make a pineapple upside down cake today. Oh what a hard life I have.

I'm still here

I need a few more days, then I'll start posting again. Tommy has had a really bad week. Hospice upped his pain med's and we have not found the right dose yet. So he has been in a lot of pain. I have had to keep calling doctors and the Hospice RN, giving them updates and trying new things.  Please keep praying for him.

This morning we were blessed with much needed rain.

Thank you for your prayers.

I'll be back soon, I have really missed you all.

Becky

Farm Life & A Wonderful Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

I woke up this morning to 36 degrees and our first frost. It was cold. Winter is coming to fast, I still have a lot to do. And I'm going as fast as I can. Any one else in this boat with me?

Yesterday, I put all the house fans in storage. Tommy closed off the ceiling vents in the house. Looks like when did it just in time. Last night we started our normal winter snack, homemade hot chocolate after dinner (the recipe for this is in the recipe tab at top of page). And boy, was it good.

This morning I'm making cookies, to help warm the house up. Now there is a story with these cookies. Tommy does not like oatmeal, period. So some boys I know, Stevens Brothers, let me try one of their cookies. And it was great, wonderful cookie. So I asked them for the recipe so as I could make them at home for me.  Thinking I could keep some cookies I like around the house more than 3 days. While I made a batch, Tommy asked what they were, I told him oatmeal cookies. He said said let me try one, I said there is oatmeal in them, he said I want to try one. I thought oh no Lord, just let me have one thing.

Well, he loved them. But these are great cookies that are good for you, too. So in away I am happy Tommy likes them, he needs the fiber. And at times we all have had them for breakfast.

Wonderful Oatmeal Cookies By: the Steven's Brothers

1 cup shortening

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups plain flour (all purpose)

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp water

2 tsp vanilla

3 cups oatmeal old fashion

1/2 - 1 cup walnuts (can add)

Cream shortening and sugars: add eggs, then dry ingredients, water, and flavoring. Do this with a electric mixer. Stir in oatmeal by hand, plus add walnut. Drop in small balls on ungreased cookie sheet, then press down with the backside of a spoon. Bake at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes.

They freeze well if you can make enough. Enjoy.

I just pulled first batch out , and for some reason  they have already been eaten. These are really good. (shhh, I just had two, warm ones are so much better.)

Have a wonderful day.

Becky

Low Cost Gift Giving Ideas

That time of year again, but these ideas will work for any gift giving time.

At thrift stores, dollar stores, etc. get baskets, big bowl, plastic boxes with lids, etc. and fill them with little things the person would like.

You can make family baskets( put things in for everyone in family), kids baskets, guest baskets(you didn't know they were coming), etc.

Fill with:

1. homemade clothes, dish cloths, hats, mittens, pot holders, placemats,etc. (what ever you can make)
2. little bags of baked goods, candies, drink mixes (packets of hot cocoa, or tea bags)etc. You don't bake, buy a bag of cookies, bag of candy, box of hot choc. mix packets and put in those fold top sandwich bags and tie with a ribbon.
3. candles
4. for kids: a small toy, book, puzzle, colored pencils, markers, etc.
5. adult: small book, pens ( we can never find one when we need it)
6. buy a pack of socks and split it up, one pair per basket
7. the bath cubes that come in packs of 4-6, put one in each basket
8. get a bar of homemade soap from someone and cut it in 4ths and put in 4 baskets
9. for the men: socks, small tool set or tools, crossword books, small books, a quart of oil
10. a box of tissues or the travel tissues (always needed)
11. for those of you who have had gardens: add a few potatoes, carrots, apples, jar of canned food, etc
12. for those who didn't garden, get a bag of potatoes, carrots, etc and split between baskets
13. a pack of those garden tools, usually 3 tools per bag, and out one tool per basket, and usually at the dollar stores for a dollar
14. those little debbie cakes boxes, and out one in each basket
15. If you know someone is really having a hard time, add things like: a roll of bath paper, bar of soap, small bottle of dish soap, small box/bottle of clothes soap, to the baskets.
16. a can of beef stew, soups, etc.
17. box of crackers, with one of the 4 packs in each basket
18. for someone who sews: a pack of needles, thread
19. box of band-aids: put a few in each basket. for kids get a box of the cute kid band-aids.
20. cake mixes, muffin mixes
21. roll of duct tape ( always needed a round a house)
22. get new looking coffee cups at thrift store ( usually only cost .10-.25)
23. get a 12 pack of dishcloths or wash rags and put 1-2 in each basket, same with hand towels
24. books are great, even when lightly used.
25. for those of you who used yarn, put your small balls of left over yarn in kid baskets for them to do crafts with, or to another person who uses yarn. same with your leftover materials from your sewing .

There are so many different things to put in the baskets. And this year is going to be hard on every one. Think about the little things you'd want. I would rather give things I know will be used, than give something that will just sit on a table. Most kids would like a lot of different things they can use and play with than one really costly toy. Think of the long hard winter ahead, what would your person used/ need to make it a little easier.

The kids baskets/plastic boxes with lids, you could wrap all the small things, as kids really like to open this.

For the person that is in the kitchen a lot use a big bowl instead of a basket.

Other adults and teenagers use the plastic boxes with lids as they can be reused later.

Instead of buying boxes to wrap things in, save your boxes food comes in( cereal boxes, cake boxes, etc). We do this and it's fun. The kids will say,"I got cereal,cake mix etc."And we all laugh.

And I don't wrap the baskets/bowls/plastic boxes, I just tie a ribbon around them. This save on wrapping paper and tape.

What are your ideas? What would you put in your baskets/ bowls/boxes?

Have fun filling your baskets.

Becky