Posted on 02/09/2009 12:36:11 AM PST by nw_arizona_granny
Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? It’s an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training
I’ve been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe that’s why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood
“Ah-ha, a kindred spirit. I have planted my gardens for 60+ years and helped my parents garden before that, and I STILL just have to get some seeds in the ground way too early.”
Well I suspect I’m a tad younger than you, but yes, one of my earliest memories is making “mud pies” in “patty pans”. :) Was just speaking with my father the other day and he said that he wasn’t planting much this year, as he’s 78 and now lives alone (my mother “passed over” a year or so ago) but he just couldn’t “not plant” something. :) He’s looking forward to our coming and then we’ll garden together and I’ve promised that *this time* I’ll pay much better attention to what he’s trying to teach me. :)
“Welcome to our thread. I have gained so much from these lovely people, I’m certain I will not live long enough to utilize even a fraction of the ideas I have harvested from knowledge evidenced here.”
Again, “thanks and ever thanks”. I agree with you completely, from just the little time I’ve been here and want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and helpful advice. We’ve been having a cold snap here, which has allowed me to be online a little more than usual. My touch of “arthur” in my hands is turning me into a “warm weather” gardener. :)
By the way, I just love the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is one of my most favorite vacation spots. The ocean has to be my favorite landscape, with the mountains coming in at a close second.
“I have a friend that bought a lot in WV and is having neighbor issues. She thinks they don’t like the city folk coming there.
It could be any number of things. There’s an old “downhome” saying about “learning the lay of the land”. City folks that move to the country and immediately start complaining and/or trying to “change” things aren’t usually met with welcoming arms. Perhaps she bought property that, totally unknown to her, is part of some sort of local dispute that the realtor may or may not have known about. (That nearly happened to us, but we did our “homework” and asked around and backed off) Maybe she flies up and down the local roads. Maybe she did buy into an area that’s truly clickish and clannish.
There have been any number of articles written in “Countryside” and probably “Backwoods Home”, about city folks moving into the country that discuss the issue at length including how to decide on buying a place.
I know that when we moved here, I made the rounds of the Post Office, the little store, etc., introducing myself and telling folks where we lived. Slowly, and I mean over a couple of years, we got to know our neighbors by stopping for a moment (and I mean just a very few minutes) if we saw them out near the road. We asked informational questions (even if we already knew the answers) and “listened” when they gave us advice. We also asked around and patronized local businesses, even though it might cost more than Lowes or Walmart (although the quality was always worth it :). We eventually found our “little church” and gradually we became a part of the community, although we live relatively quietly and have no interest in being “movers and shakers”.
And yes, after 28 years here, we still give directions by saying we live at “the old XXX place” :) That’s not going to change. What changed is that we got used to it and now give it nary a thought.
Frankly, at this point in time, what we’re looking for is “a hidey-hole in a holler” and I may not come out for months at time. :)
>>>Well I much prefer ‘Byrd Land’ to “Murthaville”.<<<
ROFL You are certainly right there!!!!!
>>>If you aren’t related, stay out of Logan and Mingo.<<<
Yup... I know about that!!! Been shot at there... (Logan)
Have many fond memories of Jackson’s Mill.... We exchanged counselors between WV and DE State 4-H camps. Spent several weeks there a couple of summers... Absolutely heavenly place. Hmmm, now I wonder if Ralph Izzard and Eleanor Kool are still around...
Excellent stuff Granny. Who are the other writers that like these types of posts?
He is termed out and will leave office in 2010 or 2011. There’s a recall petition but I doubt it will go anywhere. People will be too afraid to get another loser in office and will just wait for the next election cycle. Thank heaven for term limits!
I was surprised they were down on Hain. They used to be a good company to buy from.
“The first Mallard ducks we bought, from a town maybe 50 miles away, hauled them home in burlap bags, and were so excited to finally have our own ducks.
All was ready for them, and Bill dumped the 2 bags.
Paul turned to Mabel and said, “remember, follow me, don’t give them another chance to catch you!!!”, he wandered off a few feet, with Mabel right behind and all of a sudden it was a full lift off and they were launched and away....
Never to be seen again.
I have always wondered if the man who sold them to us, laughed while he waited for them to come back?”
ROFL!!!
I wonder how many times he “sold” Paul and Mabel!
I am so stealing that for one of my novels!
http://www.melborponsti.com/inxhom.html
Cough Syrup
4 tb Glyserine
4 tb Cognac
4 tb Honey
3 Lemons(juice)
Mix ingredients to-gether in a saucepan and simmer 15 minutes then bottle. Take 2 tsp. every 4 hours.
Cough Syrup
1 qt Horehound
1 qt Water
2 Sticks licorice; (2 to 3)
1 tb Lemon juice
Sugar
Put horehound to water. Boil it down to a pint. Add licorice, lemon juice and sugar to taste. Take 3 times a day or when cough becomes bothersome.
Cough Remedy
3 Parts warm water
Mixed with
1 Part honey and
1 Part apple cider
Sip.
Cough Candy
Break slippery-elm bark into small pieces, put into a half pint cup as much of the bark as it will hold, and pour in enough hot water to fill to the brim; let the bark soak in this for an hour. Fill another half-pint cupp half full of whole flaxseed and brim this with hot water, leaving the seed to soak for an hour. At the end of that time put three cups of brown sugar in a sauceppan, strain the water from the slippery elm and the flaxseed, and add to the sugar. Stirring constantly, cook until the sugar has boiled past the sirup stage and becomes sugary again; turn out into a buttered tin and when it is cold break into small pieces. This is better if flavored to taste with lemon juice.
Cough Candy
2 oz Slipper elm bark broken into bits
1 c Water
2 oz Flaxseed
3 c Brown sugar
2 T Lemon juice; freshly squeeze
Combine bark, flaxseed and soak for one to two hours. Stir when you think about it. Add brown sugar and heat until sugar dissolves and boil for five minutes. Add lemon juice and cook to the “crack” stage. Pour into greased cool pans and cut into small pieces when partially cooled.
Cold Remedy
1/2 lemon, juice of
1 tbsp. honey
1 oz. whiskey (if you are over 21)
1/2 glass boiling water
1/2 glass ginger ale, or 7-Up
Combine lemon and honey in a glass. If you are a grown up and you aren’t going anywhere you can add a shot of whiskey at this point. Fill the glass 1/2 way with boiling water and stir to dissolve the honey. Then fill the glass with ginger ale or 7-Up. Sip on this and feel sorry for yourself. Yields 1 serving.
Cold Cure Remedy
2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Add 1 cup hot water and drink it. It works! Try it!
Cold Cure
1 c Freshly boiled water
1 tb Honey
1 tb Lemon juice or cider vinegar
Add honey and lemon juice to the water. Stir to dissolve.
Optional: Add a sprig of mint or a cinnamon stick and leave to soak for 1-2 minutes.
Fertilizer 1850
1 Bushel clippings from Horses’ hoofs
1 Barrel water
To make liquid manure for flowers, combine a bushel of clippings from horses’ hoofs and a barrel of water. Let stand for a week before using.
Excellent stuff Granny. Who are the other writers that like these types of posts?<<<
Anyone writing period pieces.
Actually I wanted a slat style sun hat pattern, for they have an added piece in the back, that protects the neck from the sun.
Stiff cardboard slats go in the front and stick out far enough to protect the face from the sun.
I have mine, that Mary made for me and the long apron, that i wore over my long skirt, LOL, that I had a ball designing with quilt squares inset.
Mary and I joined her grand and great grandkids in a Yuma parade, with our herds of goats and her grandson had even made a covered wagon, from one of the old hay wagons on her farm.
Let me tell you, walking 5 miles with a dozen goats is work.
Mary was well past 70 years old and would not ride in the wagon, so LOL, I couldn’t either, there was no way I was going to yell uncle....
He is termed out and will leave office in 2010 or 2011.<<<
Your governor is all things a lady does not say out loud.
I was surprised they were down on Hain. They used to be a good company to buy from.<<<
Could it be a China connection of manufacturing and supplies?
I wonder how many times he “sold” Paul and Mabel!
I am so stealing that for one of my novels!<<<
OK, make sure you include how stupid we felt, standing there and waiting for them to return.
The seller never said a word about clipped wings.
LOL, we were all green, ONCE.
http://www.melborponsti.com/inxhom.html
Bath Salts
2 c Epson salts
1 c Sea salt or kosher salt
6 dr Essential oil
1/2 ts Glycerine
Food coloring
Mix well in ziplock bag. Store airtight.
Note: Add 2 T. rice flour to keep free flowing.
Bath Salts
1 c. Epsom salts
Measuring cup
2 jars with lids
2 colored of liquid food color
1 pretty 8 oz. jar
A few drops of your favorite perfume
1/2 yard of ribbon, 1/2” to 1” wide
To make these good smelling bath salts, first measure 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into each jar with a lid. Add 15 drops of food color to each jar, one color per jar and put on the lids. Shake the jars until the Epsom salts are dyed evenly. If you want your colors to be darker, add more food color and shake again. Take off the lids and let the salts dry overnight. Now, make sure your pretty jar is all clean and dry. Then pour the dyed bath salts into the jar, alternating colors (you may want to get colors that go together well). Add a couple of drops of perfume to the bath salts, put on the lid and tie the jar with your pretty ribbon. Now you have a really nice present to bless someone with.
Bath for Fighting Off A Cold
4 tb Dried lavender
4 tb Dried rosemary
2 tb Dried eucalyptus
2 tb Dried ginger powder *OR* 4 tb Fresh gingerroot; chopped
At the first sign of a cold, a bath can be just the remedy to drain, detoxify and decongest.
Herbs that help boost your immunity, unstuff your nose and chest, and ease other cold symptoms include eucalyptus, ginger, juniper, lavender, lemon, marjoram, orange, rosemary and sandalwood.
If you’re taking your bath in the morning, pick stimulating herbs like eucalyptus, lemon and juniper.
If you’re taking the bath at night, stick to soothing, calming lavender or sandalwood instead.
Bath Beads
2 tb Baking soda
1 ts Crisco
10 dr Fragrance oil
Place all ingredients in a small bowl and knead it with your fingers (it’s a little messy). Form four balls by ppressing the dough into little ball shapes. Place it on waxed paper and let beads air dry 24 hours.
Bath Bag
1 7 inch square piece of muslin or other light fabric
12 Inch lenght of ribbon
1 c Potpourri
Make a potpourri of equal amounts of comfrey and chamomile.
Place the potpourri in the center of the fabric square. Gather all edges of fabric over the potpourri and tie with ribbon or string.
[I think you drink this one]
Barley Water (18th Century Recipe)
3 oz Pearl Barley
2 pt Boiling Water
Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
6 tb Caster Sugar
Rinse the pearl barley, put into a jug and pour in the boiling water. Add the lemon rind and lemon juice and sugar and stir thoroughly. Leave to cool then strain into a clean jug or bottle before serving. This drink will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge, but do cover it as barley water easily picks up other flavours.
Birch Beer
Put 1 gallon of the twigs, chopped very fine, in a crock. Now boil together 1 gallon honey and 4-1/2 gallons of the birch sap for 12 minutes, and pour this over the twigs. Let it cool and strain out the twigs, then add a package of yeast. Give it a week, then strain it into bottles, capping them tightly. Serve it ice cold at any time.
http://www.melborponsti.com/inxhom.html
Caked Breasts
Fried batter cakes
Butter
Prepare some fried batter cake. Rub butter on breasts; lay warm cakes on the breasts. The milk will stat flowing and relieve the pain.
[I was thinking of goats, after birthing, but think my way is best, take a bucket of warm water and submerge the entire bag in it, then dry and rub honey all over it....granny]
Fresh Flowers Preservative
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tbsp. household bleach
Mix in 1 quart of water.
Body Scrub
2 oz Apricot kernel oil
1 oz Sunflower oil
1 oz Jojoba oil
1 oz Rice bran or oat bran
6 Drops essential oils of
Lavender or rosemary
Heat plant oils together. Mix in bran and essential oils. Stand on a large towel and gently rub mixture into the skin in small, circular motions. Work from the toes to the neck, avoiding the face. Rinse in a lukewarm shower, without soap. Give a blast of cold water and towel dry.
Carrageen Moss Cream
1/2 oz Dried carrageen moss
17 fl Milk
1 Vanilla pod; split
1 Orange; peel stripes only
2 oz Sugar
2 Eggs; separated
Wash the carrageen in warm water and soak for 5-10 minutes. Place in a pan with the milk, vanilla pod and a few stripes of orange peel.
Boil and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Pass the milk through a fine mesh strainer, extracting all the gelatine from the carrageen. Whilst the liquid is still hot, whisk in the egg yolks and sugar. Cool slightly.
Stiffly whisk the egg whites and fold into the mixture. Spoon into one large or individual small moulds and chill for at least 4-6 hours.
Cinnamon Cough Sweets
Rosewater
Powdered Gum Arabic
Powdered Cinnamon
Caster Sugar
Gently warm four tablespoons of rosewater and add enough gum arabic (approx 4 teaspoons) to make a sticky syrup. Work in roughly equal amounts of caster sugar and cinnamon until you have a solid paste. Press into a shallow tin and, as it dries, cut into small sticks Roll the sticks to make them round. Leave to dry completely
Sure it could be China. They are bent on defeating the US through any means possible. Clinton started the sellout and 0bama is continuing it.
http://www.melborponsti.com/inxnob.html
Fudge Oatmeal (No Bake) Cookies
2 c Granulated sugar
1/2 c Cocoa
1/2 c Milk
1/4 lb Butter
Dash of salt
Combine ingredients. Bring to a boil and boil hard for one minute. Remove from fire and add 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Pour into a bowl containing 3 cups of raw oatmeal (quick) and 1/2 cup of peanut butter. Mix well. Drop quickly by tablespoons onto waxed paper.
[I added vanilla or almond flavoring...granny]
Easy Fudge
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1-1/2 tsp.. vanilla extract
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat, stir in nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into wax paper lined 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan. Chill two hours or until firm. Turn out onto cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares. Keep covered in refrigerator.
Crunchy Pretzel Drops
6 oz. butterscotch chips
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 Tbls. milk
2 tbls. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cups puffed corn cereal
1 cup broken pretzels
Mix first 5 ingredients in saucepan. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in cereal and pretzels. Drop by rounded tablespoonful onto wax paper and allow to harden.
Clotted Cream Fudge
275 g caster sugar
100 g golden syrup
225 g clotted cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, cover and boil for 3 minutes. Uncover and continue to boil until the temperature reaches 116 C / 240 F. Remove from the heat and beat until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Pour into a greased 20 cm square tin. Leave for 30 minutes. Mark into squares with a knife and leave until set. Cut into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Chocolate Popcorn Fudge
2 c Sugar
2 Squares unsweetened chocolate
1/4 c Sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c Water
1 1/2 c Popped corn, chopped
1 tb Butter or butter substitute
1 ts Vanilla
1/8 ts Salt
Melt chocolate in saucepan. Add sugar, milk, water, butter, and salt. Boil to soft ball stage (234 - 238 F). Remove from fire. Add flavoring and popped corn. Cool to room temperature. Stir until creamy. Pour into well-buttered, shallow pan. Cut in squares. Grace Viall Gray.
Chocolate Fudge
3 cups sugar
3/4 cups oleo
2/3 cups milk
12 ounces (2 cups) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 sm. jar marshmallow cream
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cook sugar, oleo and milk, stirring constantly, to a full rolling boil. Cook to soft ball stage. Stir in chips and rest of ingredients and beat till blended. Pour in buttered 9X12” pan. Cool
Chocolate Fudge
225 g plain chocolate; broken up
50 g cream cheese
25 g butter
50 ml milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
450 g icing sugar; sifted
Grease a 20cm square tin and line the base with greaseproof paper.
Gently melt the chocolate, cream cheese, butter and milk in a pan, stirring continuously. Add the vanilla extract.
Add the icing sugar and mix thoroughly until smooth. Cook for a further minute, pour into the tin. Refrigerate until set, then cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Add nuts or dried fruits as a variation. Crystallised ginger is a great addition.
Chewy Chocolate No bake
6 oz Semisweet chocolate pieces
1/3 c Margarine or butter
16 lg Marshmallows
1 ts Vanilla
2 c QUAKER Oats uncooked; (quick or old fashion)
1 c Mixed fruit
Mixed fruit may consist of any combination of raisins, diced dried mixed fruit, flaked coconut, miniature marshmallows or chopped nuts
In large saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate pieces, margarine and marshmallows stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Chill 2 to 3 hours. Let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes before serving. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator. MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Place chocolate pieces, margarine and marshmallows in large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Proceed as recipe directs.
Chocolate Balls
6 oz Chocolate chips; 1 pk
3/4 c Evaporated milk
1/2 c Nuts; chopped -OR- 1/2 c -Chocolate decorettes
Melt chocolate in top of double boiler. Mix in milk and stir constantly until quite smooth and thick. refrigerate about 1 hour. Shape into 3/4” balls, then roll in nuts. Keep refrigerated. MAKES: 3 dozen
Cheater Cheesecake (No Bake)
2 packages nonfat cream cheese — (8 oz pkgs)
1 package Jello — sugar free or regular, any flavor
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dissolve Jello into a cup of hot water. Stir for 2 minutes. Add a cup of cold water. Stir (this is the usual recipe for making Jello). With electric beaters or blender, combine this warm jello with the cream cheese and vanilla. Spray a pie plate and pour mixture in. Allow 4 hours to set. Serves 8. (You can use the fruit filling or cheescake topping recipe to top.)
Cathedral Window Cookies - No Bake
1 pk (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1/4 c Mrgarine
1/3 c Light corn syrup
1 (10.5 oz.) miniature colored marshmallows
3/4 c Nuts; chopped
Heat chocolate and margarine until melted in large saucepan over low heat Remove from heat; stir in corn syrup and marshmallows, stirring until coated. Refrigerate mixture until firm enough to handle, about 30 minutes Form into rolls about 2 inches in diameter on waxed paper; roll in nuts. Refrigerate until firm, 2 to 3 hours. Cut into scant 1/2 inch slices.
Brownies
2 1/2 sugar
1 tsp. oil
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
4 tsp. chocolate syrup
2 Tbsp + 1 tsp flour
Sir together sugar, oil, vanilla, chocolate and flour until the batter is smooth and chocolate colored. Pour batter into greased and floured pan. Bake 15 minutes. When cool, cut them into wedges or little squares. Makes 6 wedges or 1/2 inch squares.
Boiled (no-bake) Cookies
2 c. sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 lb. butter
1/2 c. milk
Put in saucepan and boil 45 seconds. Remove from heat. Optional: Add 3/4 cup peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter melts. Add 3 1/2 cups Quick Quaker Oats (or until good “spooning” consistency). Drop by teaspoon on waxed papered cookie sheet. Put in refrigerator.
3 Minute No-Bake Cookies
2 c Granulated sugar
1/2 c (1 stick) margarine or butter
1/2 c 2% low-fat milk
1/3 c Unsweetened cocoa powder
3 c QUAKER Oats; (Quick or Old fashioned, uncooked)
In large saucepan, combine sugar, milk, margarine and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in oats; mix well. Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper or greased cookie sheet. Let stand until set. Store tighlty covered at room temperature.
ABOUT 3 DOZEN
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.