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]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2151441/posts?page=158#158

IMF warns of economic riots, police ready for civil unrest
worldnetdaily.com ^ | December 18, 2008 | Chelsea Schilling

Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 8:28:07 AM by TonyStark

Pentagon resources and U.S. troops may be used if needed to quell protests and bank runs during an economic crisis, the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Institute reported.

“Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order and human security,” the War College study states.

Incidents of economic collapse, terrorism and disruption of legal order could require deployment of forces within the U.S., it said.

A “strategic shock” could require the nation to use “military force against hostile groups inside the United States.”

(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...

[JDoutrider]

Granny,

This is why we have undertaken the making of our own "Galt's Gulch". I forgot to let you know that the snafu holding back our final closing has been taken care of! Judy has the keys and title! Of course it was the Gubbmint that screwed up... !

She, and Family are starting the move in Monday, when the caravan of new furniture, and other utilities we are starting with will arrive!

I have lots to do before I can go there and start construction of the outbuildings and what not. I Pray our timing is good with the major move in March.

I am going to go ahead and order the seeds this week, even though we won't plant until late May (if the tundra is thawed!). I truly believe (putting Prophet hat on) that folks here should order early as well... good seeds will be as hot an item as ammunition is today... There WILL be a run on anything related to "Victory garden" what nots. When the Sheeple start coming around and understand how serious this economic situation really is, seeds, fertilizer, and pest control biologicals will be in short supply... Let they that have ears understand...

BTW, I'm in the market for a used (but in good condition) tractor, and/or backhoe in the Very Near future!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://www.culinate.com/books/collections/all_books/The+Cast+Iron+Skillet+Cookbook/Ebelskivers+(Scandinavian+Pancakes)

Ebelskivers (Scandinavian Pancakes)

From the book The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook by Sharon Kramis and Julie Kramis Hearne
Serves 4 to 6
Introduction

Ebelskivers (also spelled aebleskivers) are like little doughnuts without the fat. (They’re very similar to the Dutch pancakes called poffertjes.) Traditionally they’re filled with apples while cooking, but it’s much easier to simply slice them open and fill them by hand after they’re cooked.

This recipe calls for a special cast-iron pan with seven round molds. You drop some of the batter into each mold, cook for a few minutes, then turn the dough and cook on the other side.

Serve ebelskivers with maple syrup, or slice them in half and fill with jam or lemon curd and mascarpone; sprinkle a little powdered sugar over everything and you’re done.

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups sour cream
½ cup milk or buttermilk
~ Butter or canola oil for greasing the pan
~ Jam, maple syrup, and powdered sugar for serving

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and milk. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and beat by hand or with an electric mixer until smooth.

Heat a cast-iron ebelskiver pan over medium-low heat. Place a tiny bit of butter or canola in each mold and spread it evenly around the molds before filling each mold with a spoonful of batter. Cook until light brown, about 2 or 3 minutes. Turn gently with a fork or skewer and brown the other side. Transfer to a platter and serve hot.

Notes

You can cut the sour cream in half, down to 1 cup, and still turn out fluffy, delicious ebelskivers.

This content is from the book The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook by Sharon Kramis and Julie Kramis Hearne.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

My brother wants to do this too. However he is tied down (he thinks) with a well-paying job, a house that’s over improved and other various self-imposed problems. He keeps showing me land in this state (CA) that would easily let you be self sufficient.

I wish you guys luck! and success!!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://fp.enter.net/~rburk/soups/fruitsoups/blueberr.txt

Blueberry Soup From Scandinavia

Serving Size : 4
Categories : Soups

1 tablespoon Lemon rind
1 Cinnamon stick
2 Whole cloves
1 pint Blueberries
4 tablespoons Honey
4 cups Orange or apple juice — or water
1 cup Sour cream

Put the lemon rind, cinnamon, and cloves in a small cheesecloth bag and place in a heavy saucepan.

Add all other ingredients except the sour cream and simmer over moderate heat until the blueberries burst. Remove the bag of spices. Puree the mixture a cup at a time in a blender. Cover and chill overnight. Serve in individual bowls with the sour cream heaped in the center of each serving.

NOTE: Rusk bread is the traditional accompaniment.

---

My grandmother used to make this and no one got the recipe from her. Everyone raved about the version she made.
10th

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Prune-Whip/Detail.aspx?strb=1

Prune Whip
SUBMITTED BY: Meade Ferguson
“An old-fashioned classic, this one sure brings back the memories.”
Read Reviews (1)
Review/Rate This Recipe
PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 30 Min
READY IN 50 Min
Original recipe yield 4 cups

1 1/3 cups pitted prunes
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

In a medium saucepan, simmer the prunes in water until soft, drain and puree. Combine the puree in a saucepan with the sugar and heat until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon juice and vanilla.
Beat the egg whites until frothy, add the cream of tarter, and beat until stiff. Fold the prune puree into the egg whites.

Pour into a buttered and sugared 2 quart baking dish and bake in a preheated 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) oven until nicely browned. Refrigerate and serve chilled with whipping cream.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://www.recipesource.com/desserts/11/rec1113.html

Old-Fashioned Prune Whip

Recipe By : Jo Merrill
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:45
Categories : Desserts

2 cups dried prunes — cooked, mashed
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 dash salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
4 egg whites

Pit prunes and mash. Blend in lemon peel and lemon juice, 2 tablespoons
sugar and salt. To stiffly beaten egg whites, add remaining sugar, beating
until mixed well. Fold in prune mixture gently.

Pile lightly into 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for
20-30 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm
with custard sauce if desired.

[JDoutrider]

Thank You 10thA.C.

Born there, spent nearly forty years in Cali. Left in the '80s and haven't looked back! It was a good decision...

I really can understand your Brother's love for the place, it is a gorgeous place to live... aside from the high taxation, racial problems, and a insane out of control Government!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

From:

Swirled-String Candles

Decorate inexpensive pillar candles and you will have a display for your table and presents, too.

Swirled-String Candles How-To
Working in sections, warm the surface of a candle with a hair dryer for 30 seconds. Arrange waxed twine, available at crafts stores, in a looped pattern (cut twine from the roll when the design is complete). Press the twine in place with a bone folder. Repeat to cover. When burning the candles, peel off twine when wax melts to 1/2 inch above it.

First Published: December 2006

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Three-Dimensional Doily Ornament

Tools and Materials

• Templates A and B
• Disappearing-ink marker
• Laminated linen or other sturdy, nonfraying fabric
• Ruler
• Fabric shears
• Scallop shears
• Neutral-colored thread
• Needle
• Pins
• Twine

Let easily crafted snowflake-inspired ornaments of cloth, ribbon, veneer, string, and paper fill your tree.

• 

  Step 1

  Download templates A and B. Print onto card stock; cut out.

  Step 2

  Using template A, trace 3 circles with a disappearing-ink marker onto laminated linen or other sturdy, nonfraying fabric.

  Step 3

  Cut out 2 circles with fabric shears. Cut out remaining circle with scallop shears (or use straight-edged ones).

  Step 4

  Lay template B atop 1 smooth-edged circle. With disappearing-ink marker, mark dots on fabric where lines on template fall. Using a ruler and disappearing ink marker, connect opposite dots to re-create lines on template.

• 

  Step 5

  Lay lined circle atop remaining smooth-edged circle; hand- or machine-stitch along lines with neutral-colored thread (we used blue to illustrate).

  Step 6

  At each sewn wedge, fold in edge of top layer; secure each fold with a pin inserted through both layers.

  Step 7

  Lay sewn circles atop scallop-edged circle. Along edge at midpoint of each wedge, tack middle layer to bottom layer. Tie off; trim thread. Remove pins; unfold top layer.

  Step 8

  With disappearing-ink marker, mark a dot at each wedge's midpoint along edge. Slip a threaded needle under and up around 1 dot (through top layer only). Repeat at next 5 dots in order (do not cut thread).

  Step 9

  Gently pull ends of thread, gathering top layer into center. Knot thread; trim. With twine, sew a loop to bottom layer, and knot to hang.

Copyright 2008 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

http://tipnut.com/milk-carton-candle/

How To Make A Milk Carton Candle

I haven’t seen these or made one in years…here’s an easy to make candle that’s an old crafty favorite. I clipped this from a 1960s magazine so it’s been around for at least a few decades…

All you do is take any size easy-opening milk carton, and drink up the milk, eggnog or fruit juice that’s in it.

Then put a regular table candle in the center, fill with crushed ice and pour hot sealing wax until full. (The plastic coating will prevent sticking.)

When it’s cool, cut back the carton and pull out the finished candle.

For extra color, decorate with rosettes or holly leaves.

Now all you do is light the wick, and have a happy holiday!

[nw_arizona_granny]

BTW, I’m in the market for a used (but in good condition) tractor, and/or backhoe in the Very Near future!<<<

Darn it, I went past several groups today that offered for sale and swap stuff for farms. And I posted a link, that maybe Vickie has noted in her work on an index.

I would do 2 things if it were me, maybe more than 2.

I stumbled into something that I had not found before, in checking a terror alert from google, I went to the google group and it had a list of key words, LOL, ole clicking granny was soon lost in a click here and there and LOL, joined some more yahoo groups.

For some reason, google is featuring Yahoo groups, in their keywords.......

Use the word homestead and see what you get at google, as they do a lot of swapping and the equipment sales were related to them.

Be sure to join a free cycle group, if the place has been lived on before, there will be stuff that you would haul to the dump and folks will come and get it, they love baby food jars, coffee cans etc and of course all household and farm stuff.

I can’t take part in the one in my town, but do take time to read it each day, there have been many things that I wanted and saw offered for free, but what really does my heart warming, is when one of the regulars comes out with a request for all kinds of furniture, clothes, even food for a family having hard times..........and gets it, as they say thank you on the list.

The regular places, I don’t have knowledge of, such as ebay and my face, and there is some place with a man’s name, yes, the one where all the sex is for sale, people say it is the best place to buy and sell, maybe it is craig’s list, and it must be devided into states and towns.

When I looked for a backhoe for my brother, we used plain old google, put in a model and the state and took a look.

Ahhh the other word to search for is ‘farm equipment’.

I am glad you got the gulch and would give anything if it were me.

Bill and I often said that we had the most fun, in Wellton, simply fighting to survive.

I would love to go to the dump and see what has been tossed out, it is amazing what people put in the trash.

In Wellton, there was a small local dump about a mile from our house, I once found all the trimmings of the slabs some person had polished, and some beautiful slabs, years of collection, scraped up, cans and boxes and simply hauled out to the desert and dumped.........never figured out where they came from, figure someone died and the kids cleaned out the work shop.

Another time, on the way home, I drove through and someone had taken about 15 pairs of Bib overhauls, off the clothes line and hauled it out there and dumped it......another mystery, they were still stiff, from being dried on the clothes line.

So, I have been recycling for many years.

Yes, on ordering seeds early, today may be too late.

There have been years that I couldn’t get what I ordered, as they were sold out....real early.

During WW2, there was a shortage of seeds, Cabbage was not for sale, all the seeds went to Russia.

The Gov published a small book, on seed supplies during WW2, I have forgotten now what it said, but several items were in short supply here, they went to other countries.

Bring the food subject up in any crowd and you will find that they think the Gov will have food on the shelves in 3 days, indeed it will be just the opposite, at the first sign of trouble the law is already recorded, that will allow the Gov to take control of all food supplies, more than likely a part of the Martial Law law.

It existed back in the 1950’s as they warned us in San diego that the Gov would take over all the stores and warehouses of food, if we were attacked and that it would be several days before they would allow it to be passed out.

May God shine his blessings on this move, do keep us posted, let us share the fun...LOL...and cussing that is on the way.

Keep asking questions on here, one never knows when someone will pop up with the answer.

Stay safe and warm, be happy and Merry Christmas.

[nw_arizona_granny]

ebelskivers<<

When I make pancakes, I use beer, just open a can of it at room temp and pour it in, it makes light pancakes that weigh nothing at all.

On your ornaments, the one that is circles, cut out and joined to make a ball...LOL, they have been doing the same with milk filters for as long as I can remember, coffee filters too.

I think you can dye them with food coloring.

Thanks for all your posts today, they help the thread be pretty as well as useful.

I like anything with blueberries, so would like the other recipe.

I don’t know why people do not eat prunes today, we did as a snack and cooked, when I was a kid.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Google says 4,000 links here:

http://www.google.com/search?q=I%27m+in+the+market+for+a+used+(but+in+good+condition)+tractor%2C+and%2For+backhoe&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

And 34,000 here, add your state to the search and you should find one:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=7I0&q=++a+used+(but+in+good+condition)+tractor%2C+and%2For+backhoe+for+sale&btnG=Search

Craig’s list, looks good:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=QL0&q=+Craig%27s+list++used+(but+in+good+condition)+tractor%2C+and%2For+backhoe+for+sale&btnG=Search

[JDoutrider]

A Very Merry Christmas to the two of You!

Interesting links, on the Farm equipment... am hoping to find something fairly close to the "Gulch". If our Nation hits the wall economically as I see it doing, it might be worth holding on to the $$$ and get what I need in all of the forced sales, then again, I want one acre pressed rototilled when the ground thaws. I might even hire out that work, and grab something, as only time will tell, when the SHTF.

So many plans, and only so much time! I'm well versed in the cussing department! I'm sure I'll be dusting off the old vernacular with gusto in the coming months!

[nw_arizona_granny]

I might even hire out that work, and grab something, as only time will tell, when the SHTF.<<<

The best idea is to hire the work out the first year, then you can ask at the feed store and the small 3 corner gas stations, that are out in the country.

Don’t pass up the small town waitress, she hears it all.

30 years ago, I could have gotten you a d-5 gas cat, for very little, if I have the number right, it was a very small 1925 cat, that was running, when a sink hole opened and it went down a few feet, not out of site, but more than an old and sick man could do to drive it out, or get a bigger cat and pull it out.

I wanted it, but Bill said NO.

LOL, I do have my horse drawn cultivator, sitting out there...

Bill grumbled and figured that I would never get a horse, as he took steps to see that I didn’t.

He wasn’t sneaky, when the man gave me a horse and told Bill to come pick it up, cause he had heard me say how bad I wanted one, Bill explained that we could not afford to take care of it,,,,,and then came home and told me what he had done.

So for 30 years, I haven’t been able to try it out.

He also did not allow me to have the fantastic seed thrasher, all kinds of wheels and pully’s on the side, huge, 2 stories tall and maybe 40 foot long, I wanted to paint the wheels in bright colors and call it art, as we did not have any grain growing........maybe he was afraid that i would want grain planted next.

This was on my friend Mary’s farm, they farmed there 60 years.

Don’t push yourself, to the point that you get sick, better go to the health food store and get some good vitamins and start taking them now...............

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverythingHomemade/files/

SHAMPOO

Lemon, Lavender & Rosemary Shampoo

Ingredients
4 cups water
peel of 2 lemons
1 branch rosemary
1/3 cup pure soap flakes, or grated soap
1 tablespoon glycerine (from the supermarket)
1 teaspoon lavender essential oil (not a massage oil scented with lavender - if you can’t find the real thing leave it out)

Method
1. Put the lemon peel, rosemary and water into a large saucepan. Put the lid on the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the peel and rosemary, then add the soap flakes and stir until dissolved.
3. Add the glycerine and stir again. Turn off the heat. Add the lavender oil and let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes, then use a funnel to pour it into a plastic bottle. (Tip: don’t use glass - it’s dangerous in the bathroom).
4. As the mixture cools it will thicken; shake it up a few times to make sure it doesn’t separate. After a few hours you should have a thick, pale yellow liquid.

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

RINSE

lavender flowers or mint leaves (added for the scent only - they can be omitted)
1 cup white vinegar
3 cups water

To make the rinse, simply combine the herbs, vinegar and water in another plastic bottle and give it a good shake.

Using and storing your shampoo
Use a good handful of the shampoo to work up a decent lather. Wash your hair once (or twice if it’s very dirty), then rinse with about half the vinegar rinse. Make sure the rinse doesn’t get in your eyes. Rinse again with ordinary water, then dry normally.

Keep the shampoo in a cool place, and throw it out if starts to look or smell odd - remember, it doesn’t contain any preservatives.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverythingHomemade/files/

Rice Crispy Clusters (Krackle)

Melted chocolate
Rice Crispy cereal

Melt chocolate. Stir in cereal.
Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Let set up.

You can also pour into molds.

---

Butterscotch Peanuts

1 lb. butterscotch coating disks, melted as you would chocolate.
Stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter.
Pour into peanut shaped mold or other mold in desired shape.

---

Homemade Mounds

Milk or dark chocolate, melted
2 1/2 cups macaroon coconut in small bowl
Heat to boiling 2/3 cup light Karo.
Pour hot Karo over coconut. Mix thoroughly.
Cover and let stand 3-4 hours.
Wet hands with cold water and shape into small flattened logs.
Coat candy bar mold with melted chocolate and let set up. Place coconut into mold and press into the shape of the mold.
Fill mold the rest of the way with chocolate, being sure to cover coconut.
Tap mold to remove airbubbles.
Place in freezer until set. Just a few minutes.
Remove from mold by flipping onto waxed paper. If they stick, put back in freezer for a few more minutes.

---

Nut clusters

Melted chocolate
Chosen type of nut (peanuts, almonds, pecans, etc.)

Melt chocolate. Stir in nuts.
Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Let set up.

You can also coarsely chop the nuts, mix into the chocolate and pour into molds.

---

Molded Peanut Butter Cups

1/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup powdered confectioners sugar
1 tea. vanilla

8 oz. melted chocolate
1/2 cup Peanut butter

Blend first three ingredients in small bowl. Chill.

Melt chocolate in double boiler or use electric skillet method. When melted, stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter and stir until well blended.

Form the filling into small balls and flatten so they are slightly smaller in diameter than the mold’s cup. If it’s too sticky, roll in powdered sugar first.
Using a teaspoon drop a small amount of chocolate mixture into bottom of mold. It works best to line the cups with paper liners. Place a filling piece on top of the chocolate and press slightly so chocolate oozes up around edges. Pour more chocolate on top of filling until cup it almost full, covering the filling. Lightly drop the mold onto the counter from a height of just a few inches, several time to remove air bubbles.
Set the filled mold into freezer until chocolate has set up and is no longer shiny.

Variations: Use crunchy peanut butter to have peanut chips in the filling.
To mark them as peanut butter cups, either sprinkle the top with chopped peanuts while still wet or dip a whole peanut and arrange on top.
To make without a mold, follow above recipe. Shape filling into balls. Using a dipping fork or a plastic fork with the center tines broke off, dip the balls into melted chocolate mixture and place on waxed paper or paper liner to set up.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Mistletoe Ball
Items you will need:

1 foam ball 4 inches in diameter
{florist’s foam works best but Styrofoam will do}
Mistletoe sprigs { fresh or dried } Holly sprigs {fresh or dried}
1/2 yard of 5/8 - inch red ribbon
1 yard of 1/4 - inch red ribbon
Straight pins

Wind the 5/8 - inch ribbon around the ornament { foam ball }
vertically, pin into place and cut. Start from the bottom of the band
and wind the ribbon around the ornament horizontally to divide the
ball in half again. Pin in place and cut. The ball should now be
divided into four equal vertical sections.

Cut an 8 - inch length fro the ¼ - inch ribbon and form a loop to
hang the ball. Secure it to the top of the ball with pins. Ten cut
the remaining ¼ - inch ribbon in half. Use it to make two multi -
looped bows. Pin one bow to the top and the other to the bottom.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverythingHomemade/message/10002

[nw_arizona_granny]

Birdseed Pinecones:

1. Cover your working area with old newspapers and have your supplies
at the ready.

2. Fill a pie tin or shallow baking dish with birdseed.

3. Twist the midsection of a red or green pipe cleaner around the
stem of each pinecone and pull the two ends out straight.

4. Use a
spoon to carefully cover the pinecones with creamy peanut butter
(about 2 tablespoons per cone).

5. Roll the pinecones around in the
birdseed until they’re completely covered.

6. Set the finished
products on newspaper until you have coated each pinecone.

7. Hang
the ornaments by twisting the pipe cleaner ends around branches of a
tree.

8. Sit back and watch the birds flock to your yard.

Tips: An 18
oz. jar of peanut butter is enough for 15 pine cone ornaments.
Pinecones can be purchased in craft stores if there are no pine trees
in your area.

Warming the pinecones in an oven on low beforehand will
get them to open up and look fuller.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverythingHomemade/message/10005