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At my blog over on Homestead Blogger. I do all of my posting over there now as most of my entries have to do with homestead living: Growing a kitchen garden, keeping backyard livestock, canning & preserving, crafting, homekeeping and lots of Titus 2 encouragement!
Please also visit my website
for a free sample issue of my newsletter!
Blessings to all!
Lisa |
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Now, I didn't mean to intimidate anybody with the numbers I put up in my last post about how much you would really need to plant to feed your family. Actually, I want to inspire you! When I think about those numbers, I am challenged to try again this year to become self-sufficient in at least one thing from the garden. I know it's not realisitic to think that every single crop I plant is going to grow perfectly or go as far as I thought it would. For example, I got a bumper crop of pumpkins last fall. I thought for sure I would have enough pumpkin to last until the following fall harvest and, actually, I did. BUT, I decided to be very clever and overwinter them in my nice warm greenhouse (because pumpkins like to stay dry and warm, they keep better). The local raccoon population thought it was awfully clever of me as well and they enjoyed chewing holes in every one of the pumpkins I had not yet used! It didn't even occur to me that any varmints would get in there and eat my pumpkins! So, there you go. You never know what will happen. So, set the goal for yourself this year of just picking one thing that you would like to try and grow enough of to get through to the next year. Think about a fruit or veggie that your family likes to eat a LOT. It could be spinach or strawberries or carrots. Whatever it is, put a lot of effort into learning about and growing that one particular crop. Believe me, you will have such a feeling of accomplishment just knowing that that is at least one thing you will not have to purchase at the market throughout the coming year. Give it a try! |
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...to feed your family, assuming a family size of six.
For a family of six, youd need to harvest: 40 lbs. of Spinach Thats one 90 ft. row, three 30 ft. rows or six 15 ft. rows. Youd need to freeze almost 80 of those little square packages. 40 lbs. of carrots One 75 ft. row or three 25 ft. rows. Youd need to succession plant (plant your seed every few weeks) in the spring and late summer. 48 lbs. of sweet potato Thats one 80 ft. row, two 40 ft. rows or four 20 ft. rows. Youd need to can 48 pint jars or 24 quart jars. 40 lbs. of winter squash (including pumpkin) Thankfully, since winter squash is usually large, this will only require a 10 foot row. Winter squash also keeps well (hence the name winter squash) so you might not need to do quite as much canning or freezing. No one our forebears relied on this vegetable to get them through the winter months. 120 lbs. of tomato (whole) One 100 ft. row (which is way too long for most gardens). Break it down to five 20 ft. rows. Youd need to can 60 quarts. 48 lbs. of peas This would require you to plant 300 feet of rows! Thats fifteen 20 foot rows. Wow. Ive never managed that particular feat. Youd need to freeze 24 two pound bags. 120 lbs. of green beans Thats a 200 foot row, or ten 20 foot rows. Who eats that many green beans? Youd need to can 120 quart jars or freeze 60 two pound bags. 72 lbs. of sweet corn Another 200 foot row, or ten 20 foot rows. Youd need to can 36 quarts or freeze 18 two pound bags.
From the March/April 2006 issue of the New Harvest Homestead newsletter. Email me at NewHarv@aol.com to request your free introductory copy. |
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I have been re-reading "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom. For those who haven't read it, it is the story of how her entire family was sent to concentration camps during World War II. Only Corrie survived. They were devout Christians who harbored Jewish refugees as they tried to make their way out of Germany and escape the Nazi death camps. When the Nazis found out what the Ten Boom family was doing, they were all arrested and sent to Ravensbruck. I was deeply moved by the following passage: "...Betsie and I made our way to the rear of the dormitory room where we held our worship "service"...and here an ever larger group of women gathered. They were services like no others, these times in Barracks 28. A single meeting might include a recital of the Magnificat in Latin by a group of Roman Catholics, a whispered hymn by some Lutherans, and a sotto-voce chant by Eastern Orthodox women. At last either Betsie or I would open the Bible. Because only the Hollanders could understand the Dutch text, we would translate aloud in German. And then we would hear the life-giving words passed back along the aisles in French, Polish, Russian, Czech, back into Dutch. They were little previews of heaven, these evenings beneath the light bulb. I would think of Haarlem, each substantial church set behind its wrought-iron fence and its barrier of doctrine. And I would know that in darkness, God's truth shines most clear." As a believer of 26 years now, I have seen those "barriers of doctrine" divide Christians all too often. I'm not talking about the essential doctrines of true Christianity, but the particulars, the preferences, the traditions, the "convictions" that many times are allowed to become paramount over and above the one common faith in Jesus Christ we all share. Have you experienced the sting of being rejected, judged or measured by other believers solely on the basis of some non-essential pet doctrine? Me too. And I confess, with shame, I have rejected, judged and measured others as well. But, as I read the above portion of the book, I was struck with a revelation that put things in an eternal perspective for me. I thought about people in the past that had been judgmental toward me, or toward whom I had been judgmental. I imagined us together in a prison cell, persecuted because, despite our differences, we both named the Name of Jesus Christ. I know under those circumstances, every inconsequential "particular" would melt away and the Jesus we both loved and for Whom we both suffered would become all that mattered. If you have been hurt, judged or unjustly measured by a fellow believer, I urge you to try this little exercise. It was the most fervent prayer of our Master that we be "one" even as He and the Father are One. Oh, let us strive to honor that prayer and see beyond the temporal! God, grant to each of us an eternal perspective today.
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I just got home yesterday after a week long visit with family in Southern California. It is very hard to be away from the homestead, as there is so much waiting to be done when I get back (which is probably why I don't travel much!). But, that's another blog!
What I really want to talk about is lemons. It seems like everyone in So. Cal has a lemon tree! And this is the time of year when folks are absolutely swimming in the mouth-puckering fruit. Here in the Pac Northwest, lemons don't do so well. My little lemon tree is a very sad sight, indeed. So, imagine my joy when at least three different members of my family offered to send me home with a bag of lemons! No small thing when you consider the little buggers go for 25 cents a pop at the market.
What to do with so many lemons, you may ask? I like to have a marathon squeezing session. I have an electric citrus juicer, which is one of those gadgets not often used, but when it is needed it is a gem! The kids love to get in on the act of reaming the fruit. Once all of the fruit is juiced, I pour the juice into ice cube trays and freeze. When frozen, I pop them into a Ziploc freezer bag. These are just the perfect size for throwing into a batch of jam or other recipe calling for lemon juice. Or, thaw a bunch for lemonade.
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I caught myself rushing yesterday. Rushing through my daily routine - feverishly hurrying to make meals and get schoolwork done; feed the animals, do the laundry. At some point, I had a moment of clarity and thought, "What on earth is my hurry?" I pondered on that a bit. What I realized is that there is a part of me that is always wanting to get done with what I am doing so I can "have a moment". And, honestly, I don't really know what I want to do with that "moment". It's almost as if I want to arrive at some final destination in life where all is quiet and peaceful with no worries and no loose ends that need tying up. Comfortable. Yeah, right. I have been through some trials and tribulations this past year and have watched some dear friends go through their own troubles. What has become increasingly clear to me is that maybe, just maybe, we aren't supposed to get too comfortable in this world. We are in enemy territory right now and it should not come as a shock when the fiery darts and arrows fly our way. Peter tells us plainly not to be surprised at this, as if it were a strange and unusual thing. This is actually going to be the way of life for us until the day we go to be with the Lord. Where did we get this idea that, at some point, everything is supposed to just fall into place? To quote the immortal words of Roseann Roseannadanna: It's always something. So, stop looking for that "moment" - it's an illusion. No, worse, it's a deception. We are supposed to live every moment, no matter what we are doing or what may be happening, in the light of the glory of Christ. Quit waiting for some elusive, dreamlike existence, it's not going to happen. Submit yourself to Him every moment of every day - because your life is happening right now. I pray you will live this day in the freedom of His truth. |
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I have wanted to learn to weave for so long, but the prospect of having to buy an expensive loom and learn the intricate movements always hindered me. Not to mention I have no room for a big loom! Well, I just discovered something I am so excited about. A company called Buxton Brook Looms manufactures a little handheld loom called the Weavette. You will not believe the projects you can accomplish on this little lap loom - scarves, pillows even blankets and afghans. Click around their beautiful website for more information. The looms are not very expensive - $21.00 for the most popular and basic 4x4 loom. Another website that contains helpful information is the Weavies One site. They sell a book which contains lots of patterns and instructions for making projects using the Weavette loom. The price is a very affordable $12.50. This is exactly the kind of product that thrills my heart as a homestead woman. It's an uncomplicated way of creating beautiful things with my two hands without having to spend a lot of money. It allows us to practice one of the ancient arts without having to spend years learning how to do it. I can't wait to order mine! |
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O.K. Now that you have all your broth canned and lots of tender chicken, here's an absolutely scrumptious soup to use it in:
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds of the cooked chicken 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 TBS. olive oil 1 TBS. butter 3/4 tsp. ground cumin 4 cups of the chicken broth 2 cups water 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups sweet corn 1 cup cooked white rice 1 can diced green chiles 4 TBS. corn starch mixed in 1/2 cup water A few shakes of Tabasco dash of paprika 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves salt & pepper to taste
Melt the butter and olive oil together in a heavy stock pot. Add the onion, garlic and bell pepper and saute for a minute, til onion is translucent. Add the chicken, cumin and a little pepper and stir. Add the broth and water and bring to a boil, simmer on low heat for a few minutes. Stir in the cream, corn, rice and chiles. Cook, stirring frequently, for about five minutes. Stir the corn starch into the water and add to the hot soup. Stir until soup thickens. When soup is thick, shake in a few dashes of Tabasco, salt and pepper to taste and stir in the cilantro. This is so delicious, satisfying and filling. Just perfect for a cold winter night. Enjoy! |
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Making your own is easy and you will know that your broth is healthy and natural. Place a 3-4 lb. chicken (gizzards removed) in a very large pot and fill with water to cover. Add one onion, peeled and halved, 3 carrots, chunked, 2 celery stalks, chunked and 1 TBS. of peppercorns. Bring to a full boil and then simmer for 90 minutes covered. When done, remove chicken from broth to a platter and cool. Remove all of the meat from the bones and save it for chicken salad, soups, etc. Strain the vegetables out of the broth and freeze. You can use them later in soups, stews, etc. When the broth is cool, strain it through several thicknesses of cheesecloth into a large bowl or pot. Cover the pot and put it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, skim off all of the excess fat which will have solidified at the top. Now, get some pint or quart jars, wash them, and keep them hot in a 250 degree oven or boiling water. Get your canning lids ready also. Place the recommended amount of water in your pressure canner and start the fire under it. Bring your chicken broth back to a boil and ladle it into the hot jars, leaving one inch headspace. Process at 11 pounds pressure - 20 minutes for pints, 25 minutes for quarts. That's it! Now you have your own, homemade chicken broth ready for delicious soups, stews and other recipes. I'll post a couple of good soup recipes in the next couple of days. Blessings! Lisa |
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Come on over to my homestead blog and check out my contest!
Blessings!
Lisa |
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Lessons from the Women of the Great Depression & World War II
The stock market crash in 1929 through to the end of World War II in 1945 marks an era in which men and women were called upon to dig deep within themselves and find a strength and resourcefulness that many may not have realized they had...Lack of money in the depression years meant that families had to get by on very little. Growing a garden, keeping some chickens or rabbits and preserving the harvest were not mere hobbies, but a matter of survival. Women found all kinds of ways to creatively use and reuse what was available to them. To the end of her days, my grandmother saved every little jar to store leftover food or keep buttons and knick knacks. I remember a neighbor of mine who cut the cuffs off of her husbands worn work shirts because they were still good and might be needed in the future. These women had a hard time comprehending the throw away society that evolved during the prosperous 50s and on through to our day. What is so impressive to me is how these women managed to do so much with so little. There are lessons aplenty for we who aspire to live the simpler, old-fashioned life in this day and age. Perhaps by taking a look at some of the ways they did what they did, we can take away ideas to enrich the lives of our families today. Remember, these women were no different than you and me. If they could do it, we can do it, too.
This is an excerpt from my January/February 2006 issue of New Harvest. Don't miss this one!
Lisa |
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"Others may do a greater work, But you have your part to do; And no one in all God's heritage Can do it so well as you.
They who are God's without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored an hundredfold."
Remember ladies, we're only passing through.
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When we think of a "homestead" many of us get the mental picture of an expanse of land with an old farmhouse and a big red barn. The acreage would be dotted with cattle, perhaps a creek running through, in the vast, open countryside. Well, that's a very nice picture.....but it's not reality for many of us and may never be. Don't get me wrong! I thank the Lord for giving us our little parcel in the country, with the fruit trees and the river nearby. It's been such a blessing. But, you can have a "homestead" no matter where you are - you don't need to be in the country or have lots of land. We started our homestead adventure in the thriving suburb of Simi Valley, CA on a corner lot. I grew a small garden and kept two chickens. It was there that I learned to can and bake bread. Eventually, we did get our place in the country. But, you know what? That could change. The Lord could call us to another place. And I know now that it doesn't matter where I live, because my homestead is in my heart. You can grow food, bake bread, can fruits and vegetables, sew, craft, keep small animals whether you are in the city or the country. Our grandmothers did all of these things and many of them did them in their backyards! The Victory gardens grown during World War II produced over one-third of all vegetables and fruits grown in the United States at that time! I will be writing more about this in my January/February issue of New Harvest. So, don't be discouraged if a move to the country doesn't seem to be the plan for you right now. The homestead life is a "home-centered" life where a woman can work with her two hands to produce good things for her family and her home. Remember, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Treasure the Lord, treasure your family and treasure the life God has given you. You can do so much right where you are.
Write to me at NewHarv@aol.com for a free sample of New Harvest |
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Boy, I'm getting so excited about my next newsletter! So many of my favorite topics. I have always been inspired by the women of my grandmother's generation who lived through the Great Depression and World War II. They had none of the luxeries or conveniences we enjoy today, and yet they met the challenge of the times with strength and ingenuity. I will be writing about that wonderful generation and hopefully we will all be inspired to "use it up, wear it out, make do and do without".
Some of the other topics covered will be:
Making our family's daily bread
Livestock you can raise in a small yard
Garden planning
Making everyday food items from scratch
If any of you have not heard about my New Harvest Homestead newsletter, please visit my website at www.newharvesthomestead.com to read all about it and ask for a free sample issue.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be yours in abundance in the coming new year!
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Please come check out my new blog at Homestead Blogger! This will more than likely become my primary blog site, but I will repost everything here at Homeschool Blogger, too.
Come and share the homestead life with others who truly yearn for the same thing.
Lisa |
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I'm not talking about your house. I'm talking about YOU - the spirit inside, your soul, your mind. Where have you been lately? Think about that for a minute.
Have you been dwelling in fears, cares and worries? Is your mind constantly going over and over the daily troubles of life? I picture it like a little hamster in a wheel in my head....just running and running and running, but going nowhere.
What good has it done you to fret? Does it change anything? Jesus said:
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?"
But, what can we do? This gravitational pull toward worry seems so overwhelming, so all-consuming. Paul has the answer:
"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."
The word "let" in that passage means intend or cause. You see, you DO have control over those thoughts. You must FIGHT them. BANISH them from your mind and REPLACE them with thoughts such as those listed by Paul. It is very easy to just sink into despair - that takes no effort whatsoever. Swimming to the surface and breaking free...that is going to take some effort on your part.
Here are a few ideas to keep your mind focused on the good:
Remember, we are at war. You can't let your guard down for a minute. The enemy is crouching at the door, ready to steal, kill and destroy. But, stand fast. Run to our Dwelling Place - the Lord of Hosts and let Him encircle you in His strong tower. I pray these words allow the peace and joy of Christmas to flow into your hearts and minds. May His Spirit dwell richly within you all. |
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It was now dark. We were the under half of the world. The sun was scorching and glowing on the other side, leaving us to night and frost. But the night and the frost wake the sunshine of a higher world in our hearts; and who cares for winter weather at Christmas? I believe in the proximate correctness of the date of our Saviour's birth. I believe he always comes in winter. And then let Winter reign without: Love is king within; and Love is lord of the Winter.
George MacDonald From Adela Cathcart - Vol. 1 Chap. 1
George MacDonald was a 19th century Christian poet and fantasy writer. C.S. Lewis considered him to be his primary mentor. I thought this quote was quite beautiful. Can't you see shades of Narnia here? |
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Hey everbody!
Please jump over and visit my very good friend, Kathy who has just joined HSB! She is a really neat lady, and one of my faithful Titus 2 mamas. She would love to hear from you!
Blessings!
Lisa |
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I shared this in my November/December newsletter, and thought I would post it here, too. This little project is so easy and the results are so pretty.
You will need:
Small mouth, pint size canning jars rock salt votive candles (you can buy these by the bagful very cheap at most K-marts, Walmarts, etc.) white acrylic paint (optional)
Fill a jar about one-fourth full with the rock salt. Set a votive in the middle. Add more rock salt just until the sides of the votive are covered and only the top is visible. It is very pretty just like this, but if you want to dress it up a little more, put a little paint on a paper plate. Take a piece of plastic wrap and scrunch it up into a ball. Now, swirl the ball around in the paint (don't use too much!) and then dab it around the outside of the jar. Allow it to dry before lighting the candle.
Make up a whole bunch of these and light a walkway, or set in a window. They also make great nightlights or emergency light in a power outage. They are safe because the candle is set deep in the jar. Just don't place candles around curtains, or other flammable objects. You will be so pleased with the results!
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Mine's dark chocolate bordeaux. Yum. I usually get a box of Sees from someone at Christmastime, but there's only a few kinds I like in the variety box. My kids usually clean it out before I can get too much of it anyway, which is probably a good thing.
Well, I'm just as excited as I can be! I decided to try making Penuche yesterday. This is like a brown sugar fudge. I added semi-sweet chocolate chips to the recipe. Holy Cow ladies! This tastes JUST like Sees bordeaux candy. I made myself sick on it. I never want another bordeaux again as long as I live. Well, at least not for a few days. But, now I can make it, instead of paying those astronomical Sees prices!
Here's the recipe:
1/4 cup butter 2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 3/4 cup evaporated milk 2 TBS. light corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1. Spray an 8" square pan with pan spray. Set aside.
2. In a heavy 3 quart saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar, evaporated milk and corn syrup; stir well. Bring to a full, rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Cover pan and continue boiling very gently over low heat for two minutes. Remove cover and scrape sides of pan with rubber scraper.
4. Continue boiling, uncovered, over low heat until mixture reaches 236'F on a candy thermometer. (It is not necessary to stir mixture during cooking time, though gently scraping sides of pan occasionallyis desirable. DO NOT SCRAPE BOTTOM OF PAN.)
5. Pour mixture into a heat-proof bowl. Do not scrape sides and bottom of pan. Place candy thermometer in mixture. Place bowl in 1/2" of lukewarm water. Cool mixture to 110'F without stirring.
6. Add vanilla. Beat mixture until it thickens and starts to lose its gloss (note from Lisa: It doesn't really lose its gloss very much. I figured that out after 20 minutes of beating. Just beat it about 5 minutes. That should do it.) Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased pan. Cool until firm (the fridge does nicely). Cut into 1" squares. Store in covered container.
Now, go make yourself sick!
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