Posted in Unspecified
Our BRAND NEW eBook is here! Win a copy of our brand new eBook, ”Homestead Simplicity: Natural Clean”!
How do you win? Leave a comment with your first name and email addy, so I can contact you–that simple. Want 2 chances to win? Post this contest on YOUR blog too….and comment with the link, your name and email addy.
COMMENTS MUST BE POSTED AT OUR COMPANY BLOG, to qualify......FYI...CLICK HERE
Have Fun–we’ll pick the winner November 1st 
Lisa
08:55 - 2008-Oct-8 -
Sign me up!!!!
Sign me up - and add the extra entries - I posted this on my blog: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/urbansteaders/113047
and e-mail me through homestead blogger for contact! THank you!!! I like the other book I received - I haven't posted my review - I need some time to peruse it!!!!
wstoller - 07:00 - 1969-Dec-31
contest
Hi, Please enter me in the contest for your book.
Sue Martinez
smartinez0929@aol.com
Thank you.
Anonymous - 07:00 - 1969-Dec-31
Posted in Unspecified
Apple Pie Filling
18 cups baking apples, peeled & sliced (about 6 lbs.)
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 cups brown sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
8 cups water
In a large bowl mix the apples together with the lemon juice to keep
them from browning. Set aside. In a large pot combine brown sugar,
cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add water and bring to a boil
over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for two minutes. Add
apples (you may want to drain off some of the lemon juice, but I
think it adds a nice flavor) and return to a boil. Reduce heat,
cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 6-8 minutes. Have
your quart jars and lids hot and ready. Pack each jar with the
filling to ½ inch from the top. Screw down lids. Process in hot
water bath for 20 minutes. Makes about 5 quarts.
Our Apples are allllllllmost ready and I hope to make pie filling and applesauces, along with apple CHIPS in the dehydrator too!
Lovvvvvvvvve Fall!
Enjoy~
Lisa
www.HomesteadOriginals.com
08:54 - 2008-Oct-8 -
Untitled Comment
Sounds yummy! I didn't know you could do apples in the dehydrator I guess I need to do more with mine it just sits around..
Brenda
haflinger - 07:00 - 1969-Dec-31
apple pie filling
I like to make this!!! I posted a recipe a litle whiel ago - I reduce sugar and use 100% apple juice concentrate to sweeten without the refined sugar added - just an idea - it's a wonderful warm winter evening treat!!! :0)
wstoller - 07:00 - 1969-Dec-31
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I'm canning apple pie filling today, Lord willing, and we LOVE dehydrated apples. I cheat and put a little cinnamon and sugar on them before I stick them in the dehydrator. Still better than potato chips.
Rhonda
borderling - 07:00 - 1969-Dec-31
Posted in Unspecified
Blackberry Crisp
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon and/or nutmeg
5-6 cups of Blackberries
1/4 cup Cornstarch
Start out with clean freshly picked Blackberries in a bowl, I sprinkle about a 1/4 C of cornstarch over the top and mix in, let it set. Grab another bowl and toss in all your other ingredients, using the tines of a fork, mix until crumbly. Pour your berries in a baking dish, oversized pie plate, etc., and sprinkle on your crumbly topping mixture, put into a pre-heated 350 degree oven, bake for 25 or so minutes and remove, cool and EAT. Mmmm!
www.HomesteadOriginals.com
08:52 - 2008-Oct-8 -
These pics are from a couple of weeks ago. Our town has a Fall Color Festival. I only took a couple of pictures. There are three rivers that converge in our town. This is a shot from the bridge right downtown. It was beautiful.
Our son also took part in the tractor pull. He placed third (out of three 
), but he did his best:
My honey plowed up a few acres on our north 20. I think we're putting in oats and alfalfa next spring, and somehow want to get some wheat in.
Here's a picture of the plowed field. Isn't it lovely?
I guess I sound like I'm boasting. I just love this land and all that the Lord has blessed us with. I want to be a good steward and use it for His glory.
From Glory Farm
09:55 - Tuesday, October 7 -
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No boasting dear it seems as I am expressing and not to be impressing. God is good and we are His children and who else would He bless more than us? Hehe!! I enjoyed your pics. The trees are so pretty this time of year. I am proud of your son. Your hubby you can tell loves that land as much as you do. May His riches and best always be yours. rilda *U*
rildapeel1 - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31
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I too love the land...but am saddened how quickly our land is being turned into suburbian lifestyles...I guess I am wishing for a little bit of Little House on the Prairie...but grateful for where I am.
Great photos
Connie
Schatzi - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31
Great Pix
I loved the pictures you posted! Thanks for the update...sounds like things are going well. Field looks awesome!
Tan
megroocam - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31
Your photos
What a lovely place! I am glad to see you love your land God has blessed you with ~~the fields look great too. Enjoy!
canadaroxieg9 - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31
What are you getting from your garden? We have harvested cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions,sunflowers, kale, pumpkins, apples and plums this fall. With this harvest there are a number of things I make.
*
Homemade spaghetti sauce-tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil, thyme, sage, oregano, majarom, cayenne, savory from the garden
Homemade salsa-tomatoes, onions, cayenne from the garden
Cream of carrot soup
Tomato soup
Kale soup
Meatball stew-using carrots, potatoes, onions and beans from the garden
Scalloped hotdish-carrots, onions, potatoes
Speedy boiled dinner-cabbage, potatoes and carrots
Cabbage rolls-cabbage, tomatoes
Runzas-Ask for the recipe on this one. These are delicious, cabbage and onions
French Fries
Onion Rings-love these
Coleslaw
Applesauce, apple pie, baked apples, fresh plums, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes
These are just a few ideas. What do you make with your fresh harvest?
You know, even with stretching our grocery money, I'm still spending about $100 a week on groceries. There are six of us, and I can't think of how to save any more than I am. Any suggestions?
09:32 - Tuesday, October 7 -
Monday....one of my favorite days of the week. So much promise for the week ahead...
Today is filled with our normal Monday routine...laundry and school work. Plus anything else that comes up. Today, I am determined to not use the dryer at all. I normally do one load in the dryer....socks, undies, washclothes and napkins.....all those little things that are time consuming to hang out. After realizing that our last month's electric bill did not include the rate increase, we are conserving even more. Our bill was a bit higher than I expected, though lower than years past for August usage. But, the weather was cooler and we didn't run the a/c as much as normal. And I was diligent about hanging out the laundry (except for that one load each laundry day). Then I read that the rate increase took effect Oct 1st. Oh! Now, I'm not looking forward to this bill at all!
When Honey left this morning, we heard deer in the front pasture snorting. It spooked me a bit when I first heard it, but Honey told me what it was and calmed me. What a sweetie. I sure didn't want to give him back to Home Depot this morning..but that's what Monday entails. Bummer...I'd so LOVE for him to work at home. I just love being with him. He's my favorite person in all the world. 
I had posted some clothes for sale on our local swap and shop...I sold the 6 bags of clothes on Saturday...but also had separate listings for sleepers and such. A woman called last night and wants to buy ALL of them!! She also asked if we had any other clothes or toys to sell. I'm meeting her in town tomorrow, before MNO, to sell her this stuff. Natalie and Mary have been cleaning their room and I know they have toys that they no longer want or play with. The lady buying this stuff is helping out a family that lost their home to a fire. I plan to give her plenty of stuff to give to this family too. I know I have a bag of sheets that I'll wash up and give her...and I'll be looking around today for other things. She told me they have little children and another on the way. How awful to lose everything......
I'm hoping to sell enough "stuff" to be able to buy new tires for the Burb before our trip to Nashville later this month. The back tires are worn...and when the Burb gets to about 55mph, the back end vibrates alot. It would be so nice to have new tires and not deal with that on I-65 that day. I plan to call the tire store to get a price once Honey tells me what kind of tires he wants to replace them with. He'd like to get truck tires instead of the passenger car tires that are on it now. They don't seem to last as long as the truck tires do.
I just heard the washer stop for the second time this morning. I have one load already sorted in the basket and it's time for the second to join the first. The sun is slowing rising, though it will still be awhile before it starts shining down here in the "holler".... 
Guess I'll go tend to that laundry...
Have a blessed day!
07:33 - Monday, October 6, 2008 -
Good Morning !!
My, My you are busy already. I am heading in that direction, lol.
It is great that you enjoy your husband's company thta way. I am the same way. I look forward to the times that he gets to take a day off and be at home working.
I see you are heading to Nashville. Got big plans? Anything fun?
Have a good day at your place!
Pat
patintenn - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Hey Laurie!!
Sounds like you have a busy Monday planned. I'm doing laundry and planning on hanging it out today too. We're in the mid 70's for temps so my AC has been off a lot lately too. Whaa-hoo!! Our energy rates increased 9-1-08. Seems like everything is increasing. So depressing.
Everything is going well here. Caylon had laproscopic surgery last week and she's been in recovery mode all weekend. She's doing well though and back to her regular schedule as of today. I've been missing talking to everybody on the boards. Can't wait until next week to get back to that.
Well, have a great time at MNO tomorrow night.
Talk to you soon.
Beth
mooremama - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Wow...two posts in two days....yeah me! 
If you think of it, please say a prayer for my Aunt Nina today...it would have been her and my Uncle Wayne's 45th wedding anniversary today.
After breakfast this morning, Rebecca looked through the Martha Stewart Baking Handbook (from the library yesterday) and decided to make a very decadent chocolate cake with chocolate icing.... that's my girl!
I spent the day getting little things taken care of. I'm working on a chore schedule to go along with the chore packs from Teri Maxwell's Managers of their Chores book. I didn't read the entire book since I'd just seen her speak on this...but I'm looking forward to starting this chore pack system.
I'm loving this new printer!!! I just ordered more ink as the cartridges are only supposed to print about 200 pages...I ordered the XL cartridges this time. I found the cheapest place to order them was from HP directly. They are offering free shipping...of any sort...next day (if it's available in your area..it's not in my area), 2 day and regular 5-7 days. I also found a coupon on Retail Me Not for $10 off! Love that! Once the new ink cartridges arrive, I have some major printing to do.
First, I have been blessed with the Old School House planner!!! I'm so excited about this!! Second, I have also been blessed to be able to review a new e-book from The Old School House. I plan to print it and read it as intended, in book form. What a treat!!! Next, I have some materials for Keepers/Contenders to be printed before our meeting on Friday. Yep, that will be one busy printer this week!
'Tis time to get everyone ready for bed....will be back in the morning...Monday comes soon....so does 3:30 am!
08:49 - Sunday, October 5, 2008 -
It's been a busy, but fruitful day today!
We were up bright and early...and hit the road at 8:15. The girls went with me to get our monthly grocery shopping completed. We were to meet a lady at Piggly Wiggly to sell her some clothes. We got there early, so decided to go ahead and start shopping. I had given the lady my cell phone number, so I knew she would call when she arrived.
We did find some great deals...I'm sad that PW is closing...not because I shopped there alot, but because it was another choice. Now, I'm back to Wal Mart only as a choice...
Anywho, they had 40% off the entire store. We bought over $200 worth of groceries for $99! I had several coupons to use as well.
While we were shopping, the lady called...and Rebecca went out to meet the her and sell the clothes. I was so proud of her! She doesn't like doing such things, but she did it right away and without complaint! That's my girl!!
We left there and went to Walgreen's. Another great trip there! We bought $72 worth of stuff for $1. Yep, $1. I used many coupons and my rebate card from last month...and spent exactly $1 out of pocket! And...I have almost $15 worth of register rewards to use next time.
Then it was off to the library. I found a few cookbooks to read. It's turning cooler here...that means the baking and cooking bug is hitting my home. Both Rebecca and I love to bake...it shows in my waistline...but I do love it!
We then went to the second hand shop...I'm so not impressed with that store now. It used to be such a bargain to shop there. But, they've made some management changes...and it's no longer a bargain. I found a pair of jeans for Natalie...they were priced at $8! $8 for used jeans??! I don't think so!
Then it was off to Wal Mart to finish our shopping. This time, we spent $280. Combined with our $99 at Piggly Wiggly, that's not a bad total for the entire month's groceries. I did forget a couple of things...that will cost about $10...and will need to add produce and fruit....but for feeding a family of 6, that's not too bad!
After we unloaded and put away all the groceries, Rebecca and I decided to rearrange some cupboards. We had loaded up on the energy and granola bars she likes as well as dried fruit. We put that into the cabinet where the cookbooks were kept. Out they came....which led to us rearranging three more large cupboards, labeling everything and making it look oh so much nicer! We still have a few cupboards to rearrange, but that will get done soon. I love opening the cupboards and seeing it all neat and tidy!
Then, it was time to start supper. Chili and cornbread was on the menu. I started frying the hamburger for it and then decided to fry up the hamburger that was needed for this month's meals. So, the pot was filled with hamburger for chili, hamburger potato soup and tacos. The rest of the hamburger went into a freezer bag to be made into Swedish meatballs. While that cooked, I sliced up the round steak into Philly cheesesteak slices, and had enough for two meals' worth! Same with the beef stew meat. Two meals' worth...and both meals are on the menu only once this month, which means it will be there for next months' meals. Once the meat was finished frying, I drained it and ran water over the remaining meat to cool it off. Into freezer bags it went.
Now, when it's time for those meals, all I have to do is pull out the freezer bag and get started. What a time saver!
I'm ready for some relaxing time...think I'll go get Penny (one of our dachshunds) and snuggle up with her. Honey is enjoying our free preview month of DIY this month. Saturday nights are now filled with This Old House, New Yankee Workshop and Wood Works. Reminds me of our early years of marriage...oh how we enjoyed sitting in our bedroom watching that little tv...watching those same shows (minus the Wood Works..but including HomeTime, and other home improvement shows)...then we'd move onto other PBS shows like Julia Child, Frugal Gourmet and others. We both learned so very much watching those shows!
Have a blessed evening!
05:48 - Saturday, October 4, 2008 -
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Wow...that is definately a savings...we here in Canada do not have coupons or rebates like that...sure wish we did.
Have a blessed week.
Connie
Schatzi - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969
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Sounds like you found some wonderful sales and buys today. Good job!!! I love finding unbeatable prices like this.
God's Blessings,
Amy Jo
gabbie427 - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Posted in Unspecified
I am now 20 weeks pregnant! Halfway there! We had an ultrasound this past week and decided not to see what it was. Long story short...I was going to a midwife but now I will be seeing a CNM and delivering at a hospital, as with all the others in the past. We were going to try a homebirth but both of us didn't feel completely at peace with the decision so we went back to a doctors office. Now, things are looking up and brighter for our peace.
I am really feeling close to 40 with this pregnancy! I am tired most of the time. Good news is, I haven't gained much weight! So far, 13 pounds! That is pretty good for me. I have not been exercising like I should though. That is always tough.
When I figure out how to post a scanned picture on here, I will show you our little baby in utero.
07:05 - Friday, October 3, 2008 -
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Congrats on the upcoming baby!!!! Half way there....YIPEEEE!!! I delivered in the hospital with a CNM as well. She was wonderful and was willing to let me do things as natural as I wanted. She was a sweetheart and became a wonderful friend.
God's Blessings,
Amy Jo
gabbie427 - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Untitled Comment
Congratulations on your pregnancy...will check back soon to see how you are doing.
Have a blessed week.
Connie
Schatzi - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Posted in Unspecified
Ahhh...Christmas....I love Christmas...and all that it entails.
I just found a really neat giveaway here on HSB! What fun books she's giving one lucky winner!!
Go check it out!!!
10:44 - Friday, October 3, 2008 -
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Hi! Thanks for posting about my giveaway! We love Tennessee and have family down there. Everyone is so friendly, and the warm temperatures are great.
Mennobrarian - 07:00 - Wednesday, December 31, 1969