Country Cabin Living

Frugal Friday

I found some great Grocery deal at our local Salvage store . I go and ever now and then .Sometimes I find a little and sometimes I find nothing . But this week I go a whole lot of great stuff . All good and in date til June/July 2009. One thing i got was a case of turnup greens (20 bunches) for $3.00 for the case . That was really cheap, like .15 cents each !!!I got alot of 100% fruit juice ,different flavors  for .59 cents a can . It's the can that you add water to in a soda can. It stays in the pantry,not freezer. Makes 2 quarts. Great for winter getting those extra vitiams . Green Giant Corn 3 for 1.00,fruit roll-ups,low cal. fruit bars ,granola bars all different kinds and healthy types ,breakfast bars all for .79 cents a box (6 to 10 count in each box. Bush's baked beans lg can .49cents each (over $2.00 ea.in Walmart).Apple sauce cups(reduce sugar) in the 6-pack ,different flavors for .25cents each pack of 6 (over $2.00 at walmart). Beef jerky for our hunting trip ,.79 cents each pack (over $5.00 anywhere else). Select white chicken breast frozen strips 5-pound bag for $8.25 (1.65 per pound)it was very good .

I was just feeling blesses for my family . I had gotten alot of great deals on our grocery . I spent $30.00 and got over $150.00 worth of grocery . I stocked up on alot of stuff .I passed the blessing on to other friends and family . I gave them all Greens ,they we so surprise I found them so cheap ,and that they were lovely greens. That is  who I am ,I love to give to others. I had to share the blessing of my frugal findings. Next I hit my favorite Thrift store . I needed some winter cloths . I found to thermal womens under long sleve shirts for .75cents each ,2 long sleve shirts  ,for $1.00 each ,2 very nice over sweaters/crochet that you would wear over a dress or anything really,for $1.00 each . And 4 pairs of pants(.50 each) and 2 long sleve shirts and bloomers(.25 each) and a crochet sweater($1.00) for my friends new baby girl the is 2 1/2 months old now .I also found myself a Jean Jumper with noah's ark embroidery above the front 2 pockets ,very nice for $1.50 .I got some other thing that we needed also . I went looking for thing that we needed only . Instead of getting stuff we think we need or want. I am saving money every way I can .We are planning to become mostly self-efficient here on our land by the age of 55 for my husband and I'll be 50 . So we are planning ahead ,and saving money now !!!! Happy Deer Hunting this weekend to all you Gun Hunters. Shaune     

The Old - Fashioned Thanksgiving

It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell .Upon the days of bogone years , the days I loved so well ; But thinking of them now I wish some how that I could know . A simple old Thanksgiving Day , like those of long ago ,when all the family gathered around a table richly spread , with little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head , The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile . With mother running in and out and laughing all the while .

It may be I'm old - fashioned , but it seems to me to-day , we're too mech bent on having fun to take the time to pray ; Each little family grows up with fashions of its own ; It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone . It has special pleasures ,its circle ,too ,of friends ; There are no get -together days ; each one his journey wends , Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way . Letting the others do the same upon Thanksgiving Day .

I like the olden way the best .when relatives were glad to meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad ; The old home was a rendezvous for all our kith and kin , And whether living far or near they all came trooping in with shouts of "Hello Daddy ! "as they fairly stormed the place . And  made a rush for Mother ,who would stop to wipe her face .Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all , Hugging them proudly to her breast , the grown-ups and the small .  

Then laughter rang throughout the home ,and , Oh , the jokes they told ;  From Boston , Frank brought new ones , but Father sprang the old ; All afternoon we chatted , telling what we hoped to do , The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through  ; We gathered round the fireside . How fast the hours would fly --- It seemed before we'd settled down ' twas time to say good-bye . Those were the glad Thanksgivings , the old -time families knew . When relatives could still be friends and every heart was true .       A poem by : Edgar A . Guest

This is our pet Turkey .He has alot to be thankful for !!!!!!!!

Here is Jessie and I having a tea party . She's a great horse !!

Squirrel ,That's what they had for breakfast !!!!

Here are the photos from our Fall Family Bonfire/Camp-Out .  As you can tell the boys that camped over had a great time .  I told them they look like the wilderness boys . They were so proud to to eat thoses squirrels !!!!!  They stayed up past 3 am and was back up at 6:30am mud riding on 4 wheelers ,and roasting squirrels by 7am .  They had a real camping experience .  It was alot fun for them as for the adults . This is an event we plan on having every Fall . I told the boys I still wasn't eating a squirrel .  Me being a Homeschool mom , I had to research what a squirrel really was .  I was not happy knowing that I had eaten squirrel most of my childhood.  Not knowing it was a rodent.  And a rodent is a RAT , so to me that means that squirrels are TREE RATS . I have no problem eating Rabbit or deer . No more squirrels on my menu !!!!!!!!!! This weekend our family went to the riffle range . We sighted in our deer guns .We had (DH's)  30/30 lever acton w/scope , (mine and son's ) 243 bolt action w/ scope , (DH'S)7 mm remington mag w/scope , ( DH'S)30-o6 remington auto.w/scope , and some pistols . I really hope we get some deer this year . I feel like we all are ready for opening season . Did any of you have a kill with bow hunting this year ????????? My DH and Son bow hunt , but havin't gotten a shoot on one this year  .Have a blessed Sunday , Shaune

Our Fall Bonfire and Campout

Hi ladies

I was wondering how many of you homestead mom's HUNT ???? I haven't been in a few years , myself . But this year I have the fever to hunt deer . I have always gone hunting with my dad as a young girl . And I still love hunting and being outdoors . With the prices going up and up at the grocery stores , I feel like I need to help fill our freezer . I figure  that makes 3 of us hunting ,then we have a better chance of getting a deer .

We are planning to go Hunting /Camping the day after Thanksgiving . I really hope we get atleast 3 deer to stock up the freezer this year . You might think that beef is better for you ,well it isn't any better that venison. Venison is leaner meat . And I promise if you will marinate it the night before it will taste better than Beef . You will know how fresh it is ,know that no hormones , chemicals , dyes, and who know what else ,germs .Plus all the people that handled it in the process of putting it in the store's . I'll just have to not think about all that , because I will still need to buy some meat at times .

I am evening planning on turkey hunting in the spring od 2009 . I think  that would be great to cut out the high expense of buying a turkey for Thanksgiving each year . And I would like to freeze some of it to use during the year as well . Now ladies , I have never been turkey hunting , but I think it will be fun !!!! I'll let you all know how that turns out .

We had our first fire going in the fire place a few nights ago . It was in the 30's a couple of nights ago. It was so nice and cozy with the fire going . I think the weather is going to be really nice for our "Fall Family Bonfire/Campout " . I'm glad no Rain is in sight !!! I have been so glad to be able to go horse riding again . With all the cooler weather , I'm just as ready as the horses are  !!!! I hope everyone is enjoying this nice Fall weather . I am on my way back outside . See you later ,    Shaune

This is not my horses ,but a picture of how Jessie (my horse)would have looked at this age . The momma here isn't curly ,just her offspring was . My horse is really curly now with winter coming . She looks like she got a perm . I'll get some pics of her today and post them soon of her .  To learn more about curly horses I have a link on my blog . 

My friend shared this recipe with me !!!

           5 Minute Mug Cake

  4 tablespoons   Flour                                                       

  4 tablespoons  Sugar

  2 tablespoons  Cocoa

  1   egg

  3 tablespoons  Oil

  2-3 tablespoons Chocolate Chips (optional)

  1   splash of Vanilla

  1 teaspoon Mayo (optional ,but makes it moist)

  1 large coffee Mug

  Add dry ingredients in the mug,and mix well . Add the  rest of the ingredients and stir well . Add the chips last if using them . Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 mins at 1000watts. (I have a larger micro. I cook for 2:35 .)The cake will rise over the top of mug ,don't be alarmed !!!! Allow it to cool a bit in the mug and tip over onto a plate ,and enjoy !!!!!!!!! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous) .

PS You can have hot delicious cake anytime you crave it . Without feeling like you have to bake a whole cake .Then you feel bad because your family ate the whole thing in one night. Don't tell the kids about this one !!!!! Chocolate cake can save the day when your blue !!!!!!!!!!!!!Enjoy ladies ,thank you my dear friend for sharing this one !!!!!!!!!! Shaune

Breakfast on -the- run !!!

Fruit and Cereal Bars

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3 cups quick oats

1/4 cup Honey (if out use syrup)

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups margarine (or butter )

2 cups Jam or fruit puree ,spread , I used homemade blueberry jam.

Combine the first 6 ingredients . Cut in margarine until crumbly . Pat 2/3 of the mixture in bottom of ungreased jellyroll pan (10 by 18 inches) or close to this size. Spread with jam and sprinkle remaining mixture over top of jam. Bake at 350' for 30 mins until lightly browned . Let cool a bit ,cut in bars or squares . Healthy !!!

This is just  choc.chip granola bar batter put into muffin pan .

This is raisin granola bars . I  cool them all and put into individual bags . I keep them fresh longer in the frig. I like to keep healthy  snacks on hand for my family . It is much cheaper and more tasty !!

Hello

I was just wondering how many of you have a family milk cow(s). I'm not wanted to have a dairy farm . Just thought about a couple of family milk cows. I have never had cows. But I do have lots of other farm animals . I really enjoy having all the animals around . I just wanted some info. on a small milk cow ? If it was really worth the daily work or not . Before , I fall off the turnip TRUCK !!!!!! LOL  

I did a little research on having a mini jersey or regular jersey cow. They seem to be the most popular . And the sweeted milk and friendly as well. Others said the Belfairs,and Dexter. Which a Belfair are a mix of Jersey and Dexters . I know these are also a very pricey family milk cow .What do you think and know about all of this ?

Could I just get a small/med cow mixed breed and she'll get the job done ? The mini Jersey give 1 1/2 to 3 gallons per day and about one quart of cream . And that would be more than enough for my household  . But is it worth is all in all ?

What are you suppose to do with the cream ??? I know it is the best and richest stuff !! Yea but how and what do you use it for ? Is it like real butter ? Do you use it as  coffee creamer  ? Is it like half and half ,but richer ? I just really need to look into this very closely . Please help me I am very Green on having a family milk Cow. Anybody that knows about this ,please share it with me . I would love to here about it . Thanks, Shaune

I made my very first batch of BREAD !!!!!!

I finally bake my own Wheat Bread !!! It was so much fun and very easy !!! My DH even made a loaf with me . I was very pleased with the turn out . It was nice to eat a sandwich with the bread that we baked . My DH brought sandwiches to work to just show off the bread. LOL . He never brings sandwiches to work . We have already baked more bread and froze it . I got the recipe from the HIllbilly Housewife site about 1 year ago. And just decided that I was going to try it . Heck, I make and bake everything else ,why not  try it . I turned out so beautiful  !!! I don't think my family will every want to eat store bread again . I know it's healthier for my family . It does take some time to rise and make . But ,so very worth it to see the smiles on my families face !!! See if I can make bread ,you all can to !! I really didn't think I could make sandwich bread at home and it turn out so good . Have a great week ,Shaune         

These are the Roses that my DH got for me on Valentine's Day and for our Anniversary ,which to is on Valentine's Day, too . Lovely Roses , he's such a sweetie !!

This Is a picture of my other Daughter ,Jessie (Curly Quarter Horse)

How do you spell Friendship ?

F orgive each other.

R efresh each other.

I nvest in each other.

E ncourage each other.

N urture each other .

D epend on each other.

S hare with each other.

H elp each other.

I nspire each other.

P ray for each other.