Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Dallas News.com ^ | March 14th, 2008 | DEAN FOSDICK

[nw_arizona_granny]

Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick

Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.

At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."

Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.

A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."

[snipped]

She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.

"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks, LOL

[nw_arizona_granny]

to change the structure of water. It’s called iWater and is supposed to make the water like that of Lourdes. I drank it thinking more water would be better for me, and to help with the cancer. Maybe it did the trick!<<<<

There is/was for years a health food shop in Las Vegas and they swore by an ‘oxygenated water’ they sold.

I tried sticking my oxygen generator in a straw in a glass of water and did not notice any difference, but then I did not stick with it for very long.

It seemed to me it should do something....LOL

[nw_arizona_granny]

Good, will start the yahoo mails your way.

Yahoo has to pay for our email boxes some way, I have about 100,000 in mine, most unread......and I am beginning to admit that I will never read them all, so am being ruthless in deleting them.........LOL

Today, the sun is shinning, so it isn’t so bad this afternoon, early morning today, matched yesterday.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I have the same thing in my gmail account. So of course I’m starting to use a new email account, LOL. I guess I have to admit the same thing, and resign from some of my mailing lists. Ah well.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I’m on a roll. . . . as I create my own last minute gifts!

Here’s a very cool thing: Starlight Candle Holder.

http://web.mac.com/jwesolek/iWeb/cre8it/Blog/Blog.html

Have fun

jessica

[nw_arizona_granny]

I guess I have to admit the same thing, and resign from some of my mailing lists. Ah well.<<<

Resign!!!

Never!!!

I keep signing up for more........LOL, the magic of the internet, always something new to read.

Too cold to surf this morning, so I will see what is in those unread newsletters........LOL

[nw_arizona_granny]

Copyright 2008 by Dollmaker’s Journey

Dollmaker’s Journey Customer Connection newsletter is a free e-mail newsletter. Tell your friends, family and fellow dollmakers about us, and feel free to forward this newsletter to those who might be interested. You can visit our companion website at:
http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/

**Notice!**
You can view this issue online. Go to
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/cc85.html

You can read all the past issues online. Go to:
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/archives.html
The archives include an easy to follow index to all the past issues.

---

CHRISTMAS TREE GUARD

Once upon a time Bonnie had four children two and under (new baby, twins 1 and boy 2) plus a dog. We realized that putting up a Christmas tree was fraught with peril. If the dog didn’t get it, the toddlers would. So I came up with a brilliant solution that works for small children, pets, and grandchildren. Put the Christmas tree in a play yard or play pen without a bottom. Back then we had the kind of playpen that had wooden vertical slats so you could easily see inside. The more modern mesh ones might not work as well, unless the openings are large enough to see inside. You can put gifts inside the play pen, put garlands around the top, and hang stockings from the front on the outside. The tree can still be seen and admired, but can’t be tipped over or attacked. We even had a train running around the tree INSIDE the play pen.

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CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

Mermaid and Merwomen in Black Folklore Art Doll and Art Quilt Opportunity
February 20 – March 31, 2009
You can get all the details here - http://www.cofc.edu/avery/mermaid_merwomen.htm

2009 All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition
Due date: August 31, 2009
Theme: Earthen Mother
Official rules posted here: http://www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm

******************************
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

April 30 – May 3, 2009 – Artistic Figures in Cloth
Columbus, Ohio
For information go to http://www.cyndysdolls.com/

April 30 – May 3, 2009 – Canadian Doll Artists Association 10th Anniversary Conference
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
For information email conference_registrar@dollartists.ca
OR visit their website at http://www.doll_artists.ca

June 11 – 14, 2009 - Figurative Artists Consortium Conference
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Check out their website at http://www.figurativeartistsconsortium.com

July 11-14, 2009 - National Doll Festival
Atlanta, Georgia
Holiday Inn Select Capitol Conference Center
Free shuttle bus to Marriott Marquis
Email DollFestival@aol.com for further information

July 2009 – UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs) National Convention
Atlanta, Georgia
Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta

July 2009 – ODACA (Original Doll Artists Council of America) National Convention
Atlanta, Georgia
Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta

July 2009 – NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists) National Convention
Atlanta, Georgia

To save yourself time and energy, get all the details on upcoming doll related events at CLOTH DOLL CONNECTION: http://clothdollconnection.com/

*******************************
SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU

COLLEEN BABCOCK has given us a fabulous new FREE PROJECT called “Pencil Toppers.” Wait ‘til you see the amazing detail! http://dollmakersjourney.com/penciltoppers.html
While you’re at it, be sure to check out her profile.http://dollmakersjourney.com/designers.html

*************************************

[One of my favorite newsletters...This is only a fraction of it and do check the back issues for hints and other info... granny]

[nw_arizona_granny]

[A must see, it is beautiful.....]

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Ornament for the White House

I had the honor of being asked to do an ornament for the White House representing Iowa...we were asked not to share it til Mrs. Bush announced the theme...the theme was “The spirit of America” what was the Iowa spirit and red, white and blue...well I didn’t do well with red, white and blue...however the spirit of Iowa to me is
Agriculture, livestock, the people and I used the Iowa flower the wild rose...we are not allowed to reproduce the ornament however I am doing a very limited number of ornaments with the wild rose on it...same “feel” as the one I did for the White House...we were given an ornament to use and couldn’t do much to alter the shape or size...so here is mine....we were invited to a reception Dec 2 at the White House I decided not to attend due to the work we are doing on our new place in Dunbar...

Posted by Sherry Goshon ODACA at 7:58

http://sherrygoshon.blogspot.com/

[Link from the Dollmakers Journey Newsletter..]

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.leapingcalf.blogspot.com/

Apple Bars... what a pitiful name for something so sublime! These bars are seriously GOOD! If you try these, write me back with suggestion for a better name, OK?

Apple Bars

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
2 baking apples, peeled, cored, chopped
2 cups coconut, divided
1 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9” x 13” baking pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter, white sugar, and brown sugar and stir well. Add the baking soda, salt, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and beaten eggs and mix well. then add the oatmeal, chopped apple, and 1 1/2 cups of the coconut (the other 1/2 cup is to sprinkle on top before baking). Last, mix the flour in thoroughly.

Spoon the very thick batter into the prepared pan and smoooth it out, then sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup coconut evenly over the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly browned on top. Check them at the earliest time as these bars must not be overbaked.

Cool, then cut into bars like brownies. Hide them from anyone with a ravenous appetite. The first time I made these, Jake ate half the pan in one sitting before I could stop him. Oh my!

[nw_arizona_granny]

[Part two of my last post...I goofed...]

Because this day is *so* gruesome, I am going to “kick it up a notch” and make these bars truly decadent by topping them with some Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons good vanilla

In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix the butter, cream, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, then stir in the vanilla. Serve warm.

(Go easy on this sauce; it is VERY rich and a little goes a long way.)

By the way, not everyone shares my opinion about the weather. Solomon the llama is quite at home in it. He’s such a character - he saw me with the camera and had to come investigate.

[nw_arizona_granny]

If you run out of craft sites to look at, this list is interesting:

http://topblogsbycrafters.gotop100.com/out.php?id=102

[nw_arizona_granny]

Victorian Dolls
Patterns and history:

http://victoriantraditions.blogspot.com/

[BobS]

How about this? Just get a pound of potassium nitrate and mix it with your soil. Anything you want will grow. Like tomatoes the size of softballs. Over in Ventura the managers of those farms use a whole lot of ammonium nitrate. Dont use that. Use potassium nitrate in the soil. You will have great big veggies. One tomato will fill you up with a little hot sauce and pepper.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://pinchmysalt.com/2008/12/19/a-new-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe-dark-chocolate-cherry-chews/

Dark Chocolate Cherry Chews

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
scant teaspoon almond extract (teaspoon not quite full)
8 oz. dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 cup dried tart cherries, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda, and salt; set aside.

3. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Add eggs, once at a time, blending well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and almond extracts. Blend in flour mixture, a little at a time, until it’s all incorporated. By hand, stir in cherries and chocolate pieces.

4. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced at least two inches apart. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-13 minutes or until edges are starting to brown. Let cool on baking sheet for ten minutes then move to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: about four dozen cookies

Recipe Notes: These cookies are very flat and chewy, if you prefer a thicker, more cake-like chocolate chip cookie, this recipe might disappoint you. I used dark chocolate bars from Trader Joe’s and chopped them up into small chunks, but you can use any kind of dark chocolate chips or chunks you wish. The reason I like to chop them myself is that you get lots of little flakes of chocolate that melt into the cookie dough. The cherries I used were Dried Pitted Tart Montmorency Cherries, also from Trader Joe’s. I loved the tartness of these cherries with the sweet cookie, but feel free to use other dried cherries if you can’t find that particular type. And finally, feel free to add extra chocolate and cherries if you wish!

[nw_arizona_granny]

potassium nitrate<<<

You are correct, Potassium is what is missing from our soil here.

The other problem is the wind, you cannot get compost or mulch to stay around, it all blows away.

So we have to garden in an enclosed area, solar greenhouse being the best solution.

Thanks for the suggestion, I had forgotten the name.

I am glad you came to read the thread and offer a good suggestion to our readers, hope you will often.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thought for the Day
Children need strength to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, and a example
to learn from.

There is no newsletter sent out on Thursdays. I did spend the day
adding and updating holiday recipes. Updated pages are listed below

Eggnog Recipes
http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/eggnog-recipes.htm

Turkey Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/turkey-left-over-turkey-recipes.htm

Baked Ham Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/easy-baked-ham-recipes.htm

Ham Glaze Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/easy-ham-glaze-recipes.htm

Leftover Ham Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/ham-leftover-ham-recipes.htm

Sweet Potato Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/sweet-potato-recipes.htm

Deviled Egg Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/deviled-egg-recipes.htm

Candy
http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/candy-recipes.htm

Fudge
http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/fudge-recipes.htm

Divinity
http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/divinity-recipes.htm

Christmas Recipes

http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/christmas-and-holiday-gift-recipes.htm

Pumpkin Recipes
http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/pumpkin-recipes.htm

Cranberry Recipes
http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/cranberry-recipes.htm

Our Recipe Message Board
http://whatscookin.proboards4.com/

Christmas Cranberry Popcorn Balls
Recipe in 2002 Newsletter

3 qt. popped popcorn
1 1/2 c. water
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 c. chopped frozen cranberries, thawed
1 1/3 c. sugar
2 tbsp. light corn syrup
1 tbsp. shredded orange peel
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
3-4 drops red food coloring

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place popcorn in a large, 4 inch deep,
buttered baking pan. Keep warm in the oven. Pour water into a large
buttered saucepan. Securely tie cloves, allspice and cinnamon in a piece
of cheesecloth and place in water. Cover saucepan and simmer 20 minutes.
Remove spices from pan. Stir in cranberries, sugar, corn syrup, orange
peel, nutmeg and food coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly until sugar dissolved and mixture begins to boil. Continue
cooking until mixture reaches 250 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove
popcorn from heat. Pour syrup mixture slowly over popcorn, stirring to
coat. Shape into balls. Allow to cool, wrap in plastic wrap, tie with
colored ribbon and give as gifts during the holiday season.

---

Traditional Deviled Eggs
6 eggs, room temperature
1/4 cups real mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
paprika

Fill a medium-size saucepan half full with warm water. Carefully lower
eggs in water with slotted spoon; bring to a boil. Turn heat down
immediately to simmer; set timer for 15 minutes. Remove eggs with
slotted spoon to cold water; let eggs stand until cool. Carefully crack
and peel eggs and halve lengthwise. Remove yolks to a small bowl, being
careful not to break whites. With a fork, mash and stir the yolks until
they look like fine crumbs. Add the remaining ingredients, except
paprika; mix with a fork until smooth and fluffy. With a teaspoon,
lightly mound the yolk mixture in the egg whites. Lightly sprinkle with
paprika. Place on a serving plate; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate.
Makes 12 deviled egg halves.

---

Baked Ham
8 pounds country ham
1 Liter Coca-Cola
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup Karo syrup

Place ham in baking pan. Mix in bowl all other ingredients. Pour over
ham. Cover with foil and bake 6 hours at 250 degrees.

Newsletter Archive
http://www.nancyskitchen.com/newsletter-index.htm

[nw_arizona_granny]

1a. Taco Dip
Posted by: “sharoncapps”

Taco Dip

Comments: This is so easy and so very good. I love to have snacks while
watching the football game and this was great. I used tortilla chips.

Recipe By : Wendy T
Categories : Dips

Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
———— —————— ————————————————
8 ounces Cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 package Taco mix
Lettuce-chopped
Tomato-chopped
Green onion-chopped
Black olive-chopped
Cheese-shredded

Mix cream cheese, sour cream and taco mix together. Mix well. place in
shallow bowl. Top with the rest of ingredients as desired. Serve with
chips for dipping.

Recipe Author: Wendy T
Recipe Source: A_Taste_Of_Mexico

________________________________________________________________________
1b. Re: Taco Dip
Posted by: “Terry

Hi Sharon. I do this dish too but I do it on a large platter. The
cream cheese mix goes in the center, then each of the additional
elements forms a ring around the cream cheese mixture. The last right
in the lettuce. the deal is you drag your tortilla chip from the cream
cheese mixture straight out thru all of the other “rings”. It’s so
pretty and very very tasty.
I am thinking of making it next week for some friends that will be
visiting us from The Netherlands. I always try to have something that
is very American. I doubt they do this dip in Holland.
terry

Messages in this topic (2)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Rosy Stew Pot
Posted by: “Mary”

2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-in cubes
salt and pepper to taste
1 small onion sliced thinly
1 TBS minced garlic
1 TBS paprika
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced parsnips
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup diced russet potatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/4 cup beef broth
1/4 fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
Egg noodles

Place all ingredients except noodles in crock-pot and stir well. Cover and cook on high for 5
hrs or until meat is very tender. Serve over cooked egg noodles. (Try to dice all the
vegetables to about the same size to allow even cooking time)

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3a. Honey Wheat Bread
Posted by: “momsrecipes”

Honey Wheat Bread

2 c Dry milk, warm/reconstituted
2 T Vegetable oil
1/4 c Honey
3/4 tsp Salt
1 pkg Active dry yeast
3 c Whole wheat flour
3/4 c all-purpose flour (to 1 cup)

|Preheat Crockpot (3 1/2 or 5 quart) on high for 30 minutes.

Combine warm, not hot, milk, oil, honey, salt, yeast, and half the
flour. With electric mixer, beat well for about 2 minutes. Add
remaining flour; mix well. place dough in well greased bread ‘n Cake
pan; cover. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place pan in crockpot. Cover and
bake on high setting for 2 to 3 hours.

Remove pan and uncover. let stand 5 minutes. Unmold and serve warm.

Note: Fresh milk may be used if scalded

To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crockpot-recipes/

[nw_arizona_granny]

Fiesta Pork Chop Casserole
Posted by: “sheila.

Fiesta Pork Chop Casserole

4 boneless pork sirloin chops (1/2-inch thick) about 11/4 lbs.
2 1/2 cups frozen roasted potatoes (original salt and pepper
seasoned) (about 1/2 of a 20-oz. bag)
3/4 cup Monterey Jack Con Queso or Mexican white cheese dip (about
1/2 of a 151/4-oz. jar)
1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained (mild or original Ro-Tel®)
4 flour tortillas, warmed
1 lime (cut into wedges)
Nonstick cooking spray

Heat oven to 375 degrees F

Spray 13x9x2-inch shallow casserole dish lightly with cooking spray.
Place pork chops in bottom; set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together potatoes and cheese dip.
Spoon potato-cheese mixture around the edge of the pork chops.
Pour tomato mixture on top of pork chops.

Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until pork is tender.

Serve with additional Con Queso and warmed flour tortillas.
Garnish with lime wedges.

Sheila
>^..^<
The Cooking Nook
http://groups.google.com/group/the-cooking-nook

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Basil Stuffed Tomatoes
Posted by: “sheila.

Basil Stuffed Tomatoes

4 large tomatoes
2 tablespoons of soft bread crumbs
1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon of butter
2 teaspoons of fresh basil, chopped

Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Remove cores and stems from tomatoes, leaving hollows in centers. Mix the remaining ingredients. Fill the center of each tomato with a quarter of stuffing. Bake for 45 minutes.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Smoked Sausage Stuffed Pasta Shells
Posted by: “sheila.

Smoked Sausage Stuffed Pasta Shells
3/4 lb. smoked sausage chopped
18 large macaroni shells
1 lb. ricotta cheese
1 egg beaten
6 oz. shredded Mozzarella
1/2 C. chopped parsley
1/4 C. Parmesan cheese
1/2 t. basil
1/2 t. oregano
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1/3 C. water

Prepare shells according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375. Combine ricotta cheese and egg. Add Mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan cheese, basil and oregano. Stir in sausage. Combine spaghetti sauce and water in small bowl. Put 3/4 C. of the sauce in bottom of baking dish. Fill shells with sausage-cheese mixture and place in pan. Pour remaining sauce over top. Bake 35 minutes or until stuffed shells are heated through and cheese melts.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4a. Re: Ham Recipes—Tangy Honey Glazed Ham (reviewed)
Posted by: “Sean Rogers”

From our friends at allrecipes. Sounds good
allrecipes.com
meats

Tangy Honey Glazed Ham
Submitted by: Sue
“I came up with the glaze for this ham using ingredients on hand and it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. If you have any glaze left over, you can add it to the pan drippings with a little flour or cornstarch and make a nice sauce to accompany the meat. Use the bone and ham trimmings to make soup afterwards.” Original recipe yield: 1 (10 pound) ham.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup honey
1/3 large orange, juiced and zested
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

---

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place ham in a roasting pan.
In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, orange juice, orange zest, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
Bake ham in preheated oven uncovered for 2 hours. Remove ham from oven, and brush with glaze. Bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, brushing ham with glaze every 10 minutes.

This recipe is featured within our Allrecipes Dinner Tonight cookbook. If you would like to learn more, please click http://allrecipes.com/dinnertonight/.
Customize this Recipe
12 servings

To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/casseroles_and_crockpots/

[nw_arizona_granny]

Orange Carrots
Serves 6

From the Miserly Meals Cookbook

3 c. carrots, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 c. hot water
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
3 Tbsp. orange marmalade
1/2 t. salt

Place the carrots in the slow cooker, evenly distributing them.

In a mixing bowl, combine the water, butter, marmalade and salt. Pour
the mixture over the carrots.

Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours.

[From: Tabby.]

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Cinnamon Pancake Mix in a Jar
Posted by: “tabbys_junk”

Cinnamon Pancake Mix in a Jar

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
4 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

In medium bowl, combine all ingredients; seal in a jar.

Attach the following recipe to the jar:

Cinnamon Pancakes

In medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup milk, 1 egg and 2 tablespoons
vegetable oil. With fork, blend in 1 1/3 cups pancake mix until
moistened, but still lumpy. Cook on lightly greased griddle or skillet.

Yields 10 ( 5-inch) pancakes.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar
Posted by: “tabbys_junk”

Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar

1/3 cup light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons powdered vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups powdered milk

Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight
container decorated with a pretty ribbon.

Attach these instructions to the jar:

Mexican Hot Chocolate
Serves 6.

3 cups water
Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix to taste
Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Heat the water to boiling and add the Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix. Stir
with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. Garnish with cinnamon
sticks. For a frothier hot chocolate, mix in a blender.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Apricot Bread Mix in a Jar
Posted by: “tabbys_junk”

Apricot Bread Mix in a Jar

1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Layer ingredients in a wide-mouth 1-quart canning jar in order given.
Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

Attached the following instructions to a gift tag:

Apricot Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease well a large loaf pan and place
wax paper on the bottom.

In a large bowl, place the Apricot Bread mix. Make a well in the
center. Mix 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 slightly
beaten eggs and 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine into dry mixture.
Mix until completely blended. Spoon the batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan on a wire rack before removing.

Get recipes and money-saving tips at http://www.CheapCooking.com. Free newsletter, recipes, and much more.

---

To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cheapcooking/

[nw_arizona_granny]

1a. Re: A list of ways to reuse things we throw
Posted by: “Darrell

My friend who makes soap uses chicken fat and leftover cooking oil to make
hand soap. It won’t set up for bar soap but she likes it for liquid soap.

Also, if you have a wool blanket that is “ruined”, stain, shrunk or has a
hole, felt it by washing on hot and drying and use it as a mattress pad. I
have these on my boys beds and they have never had an accident get to the
mattress. They also don’t have many accidents. The cold from plastic pads
encourages night wetting. The wool is not only water resistant, it is also
antimicrobial and antibacterial.

Shampoo we decide we don’t care for makes bubble bath or dog shampoo.
Conditioner is great for shaving.

If you have a shelf available, cardboard mailing tubes cut to size and
stacked to fill the shelf are great to separate hats and gloves and
umbrellas and such. I found out that I can get them free from the local
copyshack. Score with an exacto knife and bang to snap off at the right
length.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2a. Re: Any Creative Christmas Wrapping Ideas?
Posted by: “Darrell

I keep my eye out at the thrift store for colorful pillowcases. I use them
every year for those big, hard to wrap presents. Just tie with ribbon!

________________________________________________________________________
2b. Any Creative Christmas Wrapping Ideas?
Posted by: “Kay

I remember growing up and going to my Grandma’s house for our annual
family get together at Christmas. She would always save the wrapping
paper instead of throwing it away. I don’t do that now because about 7
years ago I went to Target and purchased several rolls of wrapping
paper at 90 percent off. I purchased way too much wrapping paper. I
realize now that this is a wasteful habit. When this is gone I plan on
doing other things like make cloth wrappings that can be used every
year. Or decorate up some plain paper. Never purchasing wrapping
paper again.

Kay

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3a. Re: turkey
Posted by: “Diana

Great advice “Mom” - I would have done the same thing (making stock-broth).

My Grandma taught me not to waste anything - we eat a LOT of “I cleaned out the fridge” soups - LOL

Organically Yours,
Diana

http://organicgiftsbydiana.mybisi.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/AllNaturalPerfume

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3b. turkey
Posted by: “LaDonna

Take off as much meat you can because it gets mushy and bland when boiled
for a length of time. Break the bones in large pieces so some of the marrow
is exposted. Out into a large pot and cover with water. Add desired
seasonings and bring to a boil. Cook broth down to about half of the amount
of water you started with. You now have have a good broth of concentrated
flavors. Remove the bones and freeze broth. You can also add the turkey
meat pieces before freezing.
Yummy!

—

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3c. Re: turkey
Posted by: “DBauer

I make a turkey and white bean soup often. I don’t really have a recipe,
though. I simmer the turkey carcass (broken up to fit) in the crockpot with a
smoked ham hock, an onion, some celery, and a couple of carrots. When the meat
is falling off the bones, I cool it and strain it, making sure all the meat
but none of the bones makes it into the stock. Then I re-cook the stock in the
crockpot with fresh onions, carrots, and celery (diced very finely) and a
pound or more of dry navy beans (or any kind of white bean). I usually add some
poultry seasoning, and some garlic powder to the mix.

When the beans are fully cooked, I had a touch of Liquid Smoke, and whatever
other seasonings catch my fancy at the moment. Parsley is usually one of
them. I may add a little salt at this point, but usually I let people salt their
soup to their own taste at the table.

Di

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4. Re: Digest Number 7004-Turkey
Posted by: “DragonLady2000”

I would make soup and freeze it so you have a quick meal and you can add
rice or noodles when you heat up the soup. You could also add the broth
to veggies.
Christine

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5. Cheap Protein/Spring Garden
Posted by: “DBauer7998

Now (well, right after Christmas) is the time to start planning your 2009
vegetable garden. It’s not only an important part of the whole process, but it
helps give hope that winter will finally end. There’s nothing like the seed
catalogs arriving in December and January to lift my spirits out of the
winter doldrums.

I am going to be planting a variety of heirloom shell beans (cheap protein!)
in my vegetable garden this summer. I will not only be able to eat the
beans, but will be able to preserve seed for use next year and won’t have to buy
any more. Am also growing heirloom tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers,
green beans, wax beans, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, onions,
sweet potatoes, parsnips, summer squash, winter squash, cantaloupes,
honeydews, watermelon, etc.

I’m thinking of ordering the shell beans in bulk and repackaging the beans
to sell on Ebay. I could sell them cheaper than the seed companies, and even
make a little money. I went through the Ebay seeds section last night, and only
saw one or two bean seed varieties that could be dried and shelled - and
they were boring kinds. The Park’s and Burpee catalogs have very meager
offerings of shell beans, too. There’s a huge variety of heirloom shell beans
available if you know where to look.

And any that don’t sell we’ll eat. Win-win.

Di

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6a. Re: wrapping presents
Posted by: “Mary

I have gotten creative out of necessity and too tired to wrap them all. I buy gift bags from yard sales in all diff sizes. I buy white tissue paper, then I just drop the gift in the bag, cover or wrap it first in tisse paper, put a sticky note on it with the person’s name, and voila you have it wrapped. The bag comes back to me, and I just repeat the same process every year.

Mary

http://bluejeanstuff.tripod.com/

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From: tiny450

Subject: [WN] wrapping presents

I have seen some pretty creative ways to save and wrap presents.My
sister wrapped ours one year in a tablecloth she had made.I have cut
wrapping paper after wrapping to resemble a shirt, a basket, a candy
cane, wrapped presents on year in an afghan I crocheted.You can get
pretty creative.The funniest thing is to get a big box , get a box to
fit inside that box, a box to fit inside that box, etc until you have
a bunch of boxes and the present is in the last one.My husband pulled
that on me one year, wrapping each box separate.

To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WasteNothing/