Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Another window opens

"Where one door closes, the Lord opens a window in our lives."  Howe often I have heard that phrase during my lifetime.  As I have gone through the years, I have often found a great truth to those simple words.  Last night I received yet another confirmation of the truths in that phrase.

A few months ago when my Beloved was looking for a job, I started selling home baked breads.  They sold very well and at that time helped a great deal is providing the money we needed for Joe to have fuel for his little truck to look for work.  At some point after he was working, the bread sales slowed down.  While the income from it wasn't as desperately needed, it has been missed.

Yesterday, Joe took to work some molasses cookies that I had baked the night before.  He took enough for his own snack and also to leave some in the break room for the mechanics.  By the day's end, one of the mechanics asked him if I would be willing to bake him 5 dozen cookies and quoted a price that was very generous, yet still lower than what he would pay for specialty cookies at a store.  Of course, I am more than willing to bake them! 

I have always thought of my cooking & baking as simple farm fare.  My Gram and a Amish neighbor were the most influential in teaching me to cook & bake.  It is their styles of cooking that I do the most often.  Joe takes alot of pride in my cooking abilities and often shares the snacks and such that I make with co-workers.

I had not thought about making cookies and snack type foods to sell, but maybe this is a window that is opening for us.  Beloved was so excited about it.  The baking orders will only be on pay weeks, but that is fine.  It will allow me the rest of the time to spend on other tasks.

Today is a baking day here at home.  I am baking bread for our family.  There is a really easy Amish Sugar Cookie recipe that I am also making.  The recipe makes 12 dozen cookies.  I am making half of the recipe as the recipe calls for.  The other half is being made as a chocolate mint cookie.  Likely, Beloved will take some to work tomorrow.  Whether it brings new cookie orders or not, I am enjoying the baking.  Abbie loves to make cookies with Momma, so it is all good. 

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01:03, Thursday, July 17, 2008 .. Posted by Sara

How wonderful for you! I'm so excited for you that you are able to help your husband by doing what you enjoy and from home.

My all time favorite flavor is mint chocolate. Would you mind sharing your recipe for that one? This pregnancy I have really craved mint chocolate things.

Blessings, sara

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12:04, Friday, July 18, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

My mom's best friend used to bake cookies and small loaves of bread and take them around town to sell them. She made some good money this way! She just cooked up whatever she wanted, and after several had tried them, they would start calling her and making a specific order for the next week, or if their grandkids were going to be in town, they would order something, etc.

She even had lots and lots of orders around Christmas time for Christmas baking. Hot rolls were a big one (because no one wants to take the time to make them homemade), and she was so busy she couldn't hardly keep up!!!

I hope you think and pray about this, and if you decide to do this, that it is a good source of extra income for you!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo