April Giveaway - Time is Running out!

The Barber Bunch: April Giveaway :

My April Giveaway is one copy of: Homesteading: A Back to Basics Guide.

So enter before it is too late!!

An Easy Week for Homesteading

This week I did some shopping!

A Mason Bee House

Extenders for our Tomato Ladders

Freeze dried fruit to use in my homemade yogurt

*can't wait to try the Mango's

And finally.......

My Ohio native plants from Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

This year I got:

Butterfly Milkweed

Purple Coneflower

Yellow or Grey Headed Coneflower

Wild Bergamont

Showy Black Eyed Susan's

See what others are up to and the Homestead Revival Barn Hop.

Sewing Project

I recently started sewing.  My Mom sewed, my Grandma sewed and I had some sewing in Home EC in high school. So I have limited sewing exposure.

 I made a trip to the fabric store and picked out some fabric and a couple patterns. Let me tell ya......Sewing with a pattern and instructions is a little bit overwhelming when you have never done it before. But I took my time, read the directions (several times) and went for it!

So here is what I made....... A Market Bag!!

Won't this be great to take grocery shopping?!?!?!

This bag is a great size and is lined.

It is a double thickness of the fabric.

So I think it will be strong too

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Before I started sewing, I read this book.

Very informative and easy to read and understand.

If you are thinking of starting to sew..... I recommend this book

What I did today!

I made some Cabana Banana Jam

and some Hawaiian Potato Bread

Hawaiian Potato Bread
3 cups Flour
1 tsp Salt
1 package Yeast
1/2 cup Pineapple juice
3/4 cup warm water
2 tbs butter
1 egg
1 cup masked potato flakes

For Bread Machine:
Set to dough cycle. When finished form dough into a ball.

Place dough ball in a greased round cake pan. Cover and let rise until doubled.

Heat oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes.

Immediately remove from Pan by loosening sides and place on rack to cool

My new Clothesline

My new clothesline

I love my new clothesline.

Thank you Matt for putting it up for me!

On the line now is 2 medium to large size loads.

I think this will work out just fine!

Hearth Cooking Class

Hearth Cooking Class

Journey back in time to explore the creation of a historic meal from hearth to table. Participants will learn the techniques used in hearth cooking while preparing a meal using authentic ingredients and historic recipes and tools. At the end of the class enjoy the fruits of your labors by the warmth of the William Morris House fireplace.

The class will take place on Saturday, May 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Carillon Historical Park. Space is limited and advanced reservations are required. The cost is $35 for Dayton History members and $40 for non-members. For more information and to reserve your seat at the table, please contact Brandi Picek at 293-2841 ext. 107 or bpicek@daytonhistory.org.

www.daytonhistory.org/calendar/70/2410-Hearth-Cooking-Class-.htm

We are ready!

The Raised Bed is filled.

It is 4 foot by 10 foot.

We used a premium Top Soil Mix that

contains Top Soil, Sand Loam and Compost.

I also added some cow manure.

The seeds are sprouted

We are ready to plant!!

Our Backyard Homestead

This year we are expanding out little backyard homestead. Here are some of the changes and additions:

I am starting plants from seed this year.

I came across these little greenhouse starters at Dollar General!

Lettuce, Beans, Tomato and Pepper seedlings

Our rain harvesting system.

Matt will be putting a spigot and hose on the trough

The start of our Compost pile

A bed for wildflowers

A Blackberry Bush

I put some grass clippings down as mulch

Our Raised Bed Garden!

Matt built this great bed. It is 4 x 10.

We are letting in settle a little and

then Matt is going to use a post hole digger

and level it to the ground

We are planting using the Square Foot Garden Method.

I will keep you posted on our progress

Cheese Making Classes at Possum Creek Metro Park

Cheese Making Classes at Possum Creek Metro Park. They are free but you must register.

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04/11 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Homemade Cream Cheese

There are good reasons for making cream cheese at home since it tastes better and contains only the essentials for good flavor. Learn the steps to make your own homemade cream cheese. Reservations required and limited, call (937) 276-7062.



04/18 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is a very soft, low-fat cheese that is actually a by-product of cheese making. Making ricotta is a simple process with very few steps and you can have fresh ricotta anytime! Learn the process of how to make your own ricotta cheese. Reservations required and limited.



05/02 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Homemade Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is probably the easiest of all the cheeses to make at home, very healthy and nutritious. Explore the technique for making this healthful cheese and then try it at home. Reservations required and limited.



05/09 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella is one of the most versatile cheeses to make at home. It freezes well, can be used like an aged cheese in cooking, and tastes delicious the same day it's made. Learn the steps to becoming an artisan of making mozzarella cheese. Reservations required and limited.

Kill a Bug Flu Juice

Fighting the Flu? Try this naturopathic remedy for

"Kill a Bug" Flu Juice

Put 1 head of peeled garlic, 1/3 cup sliced fresh ginger and 1 tsp of Cayenne Pepper into 1 quart of water.

Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup honey. Stir.

The garlic and honey fight off germs, the cayenne and ginger help you sweat out the virus and the vinegar boost your immunity.

Survivalism vs Preparedness

Survival is what you do in response to a threat; it’s the actions you take *after* the fact. You are forced to make decisions and take action, regardless of whether you know what to do or not. Once an event happens, every action you make will affect your outcome and whether you make it through safe or alive.

In contrast, Preparedness is what you do *before* an event; it’s the proactive steps you take in order to make your survival easier to achieve. If you have prepared enough, your chances of surviving increase. Learn what to do before you need to do it. Learn how to store your food properly, know which methods really make water safe to drink, know which gear to buy and which wastes your money.

“Surviving is the Art of Being Prepared.”

What's for Dinner- Sweet and Sour Spam

I store some Spam in my Food Storage. I am always looking for Spam recipes. I found one today and I am going to give it a try for Dinner. I think I will throw in some stir fry veggie mix to add some vegetables to the recipe


Sweet and Sour Spam

1 can SPAM:
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ginger powder:
1/2 to 1 cup apple cider, white, or red wine vinegar:
1 can chunk pineapple: save 1/2 cup juice
1/2 to 1 cup ketchup:
1/2 to 1 cup brown sugar:
2 tbsp corn starch
1/2 cup water:

1) cut the spam into 1/2 inch squares and add to frying pan.

2) Add onion, garlic, and ginger powder

3) Remove spam from heat when all sides are crispy brown.

4) Add apple cider or red wine vinegar, cubed pineapple, ketchup, and brown sugar.

5) Bring to boil, reduce heat, and let simmer 5 minutes.

6) Add spam.

7) Add 2 tbsp cornstarch to 1 cup water, mix, and then add to sweet and sour mixture. Sauce should thicken as it returns to a boil.

8) Serve over rice.

What's for Dinner- Hearty Hodge Podge Soup

Hearty Hodge Podge Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 can minestrone soup (not condensed)
2 cup baked beans or pork and beans
1 tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

In soup pot, brown ground beef. Drain and return to pot.

Add remaining ingredients and heat throughly

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Another recipe I found that is great for using and rotating my food storage.

Home Preservation Series- Pickling

Home Preservation Series- Pickling

Five Rivers Metroparks
Dayton, OH
Date: Sunday, August 29, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Possum Creek Metropark
4790 Frytown Rd. Dayton, Ohio

20 Simple Everyday Food Storage Items

20 Simple Everyday Food Storage Items

Biggest rule of food Storage-
“Buy what you eat and eat what you buy”


1. Soups *Soup and Sandwich once a week- helps rotate stock
2. Canned Meats
3. Pasta, Sauces, Tomatoes
4. Packaged Rice and Noodle Mixes
* To keep rice from becoming sticky-
Cook rice like pasta. Cook until tender. Drain and Rinse. Reheat in Microwave
5. Peanut Butter and Jelly
6. Wheat and Wheat Grinder
7. Oils
8. Sugar and Honey
9. Dry Beans
10. Dried Potatoes
11. Dry Milk *Cook with it instead of fresh milk- helps rotate stock
12. Salt
13. Bisquick and Baking Mixes
14. Bouillon
15. Corn Meal or Cornbread Mix
16. Nuts
17. Crackers * Cheese and Crackers for Snacks and/or Appetizer - helps rotate stock
18. Canned Potatoes
19. Jar Gravy
20. Boxed Cereal

Canning Classes

Upcoming Canning Classes at Carriage Hill Metro Park. They are free, but you must register.

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3980 Canning Club: Vegetables
Sat
08-15-2009 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Daniel Arnold House
Carriage Hill MetroPark

3981 Canning Club: Fruits
Sat
09-19-2009 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Daniel Arnold House
Carriage Hill MetroPark

3982 Canning Club: End of Season Harvest
Sat
10-17-2009 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Daniel Arnold House
Carriage Hill MetroPark

3983 Canning Club: Butters
Sat
11-14-2009 10:00AM - 1:00PM
Daniel Arnold House
Carriage Hill MetroPark

Home Preservation Series- Freeze your Harvest

Home Preservation Series- Freeze your Harvest

Five Rivers Metroparks
Dayton, OH
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Possum Creek Metropark
4790 Frytown Rd. Dayton, Ohio

IDC for June 2009

IDC for June 2009

Plant Something:

* Spinach in Bucket Garden

Harvest Something:

*Harvest Spinach
*Harvest Radish
*Harvest Lettuce

Preserve Something:

Can
*Strawberry Jam- 8 pints
* Grape Jelly- 4 pints and 4 Jelly Jars

Frozen
*6 Quarts Strawberries

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

*Recycling

*Rain Harvesting

*Meal Planning
*Got Pressure Canner tested. Replacing seals and valves

Preparation & Storage:

* Stocking, rotating and replenishing Food Storage Supplies
* Purchased OTC Meds and Hand Sanitizer for Survival Supplies
* Matt purchased another Jet Boil Stove for our Bug Out Bags

Eat the Food:

* Stocking, rotating and replenishing Food Storage Supplies

*Making our own Bread
* Eating Food from our Garden

Learn Something:
*Canning Class- Jams and Jellies
*Matt is attending HAM Radio Classes

Class

Click on the Map to make it bigger!

Home Preservation Series- Jellies, Jams and Preserves

Five Rivers Metroparks
Dayton, OH
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Possum Creek Metropark
4790 Frytown Rd. Dayton, Ohio


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This is the first in a series of classes. Other classes include :Freezing your Harvest and Pickling.

I love it that our local Park System have these homesteading classes. Best of all......they are free! Last year the classes were at Carriage Hill Farm Metropark. This year the series is a Possum Creek Metropark. I am excited to visit this Park as I have not been there yet.

Edit after the Class:

This class was great!!! We made Freezer Strawberry Jam and Apple Jelly. Yum!

I made a couple new friends and now have a longer To Read list.

What's for Dinner- Chicken and Corn Soup

I wanted to share a recipe I made up. It is based on a recipe from e-mealz but I jazzed it up a little bit and used only stuff from my food storage! No running to the grocery store for this one.
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Carolyn's Chicken and Corn Soup

2 cans Chicken Noodle Soup
1 1/2 soup cans of water
1 can Cream of Corn
1 can Corn, drained
1/2 can Chicken Broth
1 can of Canned Chicken
(here is were I jazzed it up. Instead of the canned Chicken, I had some left over Fajita Style Chicken Strips. I cut them up and put them in the soup.)

Salt and Pepper to taste
(here is another jazzed up item- I added a little crushed red pepper flakes for a little extra zip!)

Heat and Serve.

Yum!