Faith Farm

The things our Grandmothers were taught-and we forgot!

It occured to me a couple of weeks ago that all the things that I am striving so hard to learn are the very same things my Grandmother practiced in her everyday life.  We as a nation have become so dependent on gadgets working and ready-made products available at the market.  If I had to do it all now without  those lil' helpers...could I do it?  The answer now is maybe....but it would be difficult.  The difference between my Grandmother and I  is that she had it all down to a fine art.  She knew all the secrets.  These are the things that I want to strive to learn this year.  What do you do if you run out of baking powder?  What is the best way to do laundry without the washing machine?  Many, many common practices in our everyday life that could be done easier if you just had the knowledge.  I want to work smarter...take full advantage of the time I have...not just maintain ---not just fall in bed exhausted---I want to love the abilities to provide a home for my family...go to sleep with peace and a feeling of acomplishment of a job well done.  I do that now--Could I do that without all my gadgets?  We will see.

Here is a tid-bit that someone might find useful.  When I find other interesting things I will share.  Please feel free to share with me! lol...... Have a blessed day!

Substitutes
1 tsp single-acting Baking Powder = 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar + 1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp single-acting Baking Powder = 1/4 tsp Baking Soda plus 1/2 cup (4 oz) sour milk / buttermilk swapped in for another liquid

Metric
1 tsp single-acting Baking Powder = 2.5g Cream of Tartar + 1.25g Baking Soda
1 tsp single-acting Baking Powder = 2.5g Baking Soda plus 120 ml sour milk / buttermilk / yoghurt swapped in for another liquid

For any of the above substitutes, treat them as "single-acting"; get the batter in the oven or the pan right away.

Untitled Comment

{ 02:19, Wednesday, November 28, 2007 } { Posted by morningsunshine }

hey, welcome to homestead blogger! it is a great place to learn and share what you know.
I was hoping someone would answer your solar question - that is HIGH on our list of priorities.... after we get more on the house paid off. We want a small one for our pump house - seeing as how we do not get water when the power is out! and a strong enough power maker to run our freezer and a few small appliances as needed (toaster oven, grain mill, etc.). eventually we would like to move our whole house over, but..... those are our priorities... let me know if you find anything.

Untitled Comment

{ 01:38, Thursday, November 29, 2007 } { Posted by Anonymous }

I know if I had to, I at least have the resources to figure out how to do the things the way they used to be done, the things that used to be common knowledge.

My grandmother was a wonderful gardener. I wish I had been more interested in the garden growing up so I could garden now. It just seems like such a hard thing for me to grasp. I'll give it another try this spring, but I am going to go small, maybe just tomatoes and peppers or eggplants. I know I can grow onions. I just have to learn how, even though the learning curve seems so steep for me.