Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Outdoor Kitchen

I am so thrilled.  Today I got some more canning completed. I canned up some mixed veggies and a batch of spiced pears.  I had alot of the spiced syrup left over so am saving it to use on apples.

My pumpkins are producing quite a few on the vines.  I am keeping a close watch on a couple of them as they are nearly full size.  Now they just have to turn orange and ripen.  I will be using them to make the pies at Thanksgiving.  If they happen to not be ripened by then, I will use them for Christmas instead.  I am thinking of doing up some butternut squash to use for pies in case the pumpkins are not ripe enough.  Once seasoned, there is little difference in the flavor.  Store bought pumpkin pies often contain the squash instead of pumpkin.

While Joe took Abbie with him to the store to do the shopping today, Micah nearly slept all day long.  He has been so tired and miserable with his teething.  Friday, we were out taking care of a few things so he didn't get much sleep.  He made up for it today though.

We have been rearranging the kitchen a bit today.  I had 2 long tables, about the size of a rectangular banquet table, that I was using as counters since our kitchen doesn't have any to speak of other than the narrow ones on either side of the kitchen sink.  Today, Joe took the folding table out of the kitchen, and moved the wooden rectangular table into it's place.  This has really opened up the kitchen floor space.  The 2 tables had been in an "L" configuration.  Now, the remaining table is against the wall leaving only the dining table in the middle of the floor.  Our dining table is a large rectangular wooden one that I had been using for a table to cut my fabrics on.  With 2 children, our round table just wasn't going to be sufficient.  This larger table is also much more sturdy and I can use it for kneading the bread or any other purpose.  Eventually, we are wanting to get a couple of benches to set along the table instead of using chairs.

Joe took the folding table outdoors and set it up as a picnic table.  We will be grilling many of our meals in the evening.  Yet another way to lessen the amount of electricity used.  Next year, we are planning to buy a larger grill that will allow room for doing other types of cooking also.  Our goal is to use the electric stove only for baking and canning.  All other cooking will be done on a grill or the wood burning cookstove.  Just one step closer to an outdoor kitchen! 

Untitled Comment

10:53, Saturday, September 20, 2008 .. Posted by Schatzi

Sounds like you had a very productive week...I just happened across your blog this evening and will go and read your other posts....I am intrigued about your outdoor kitchen.

Have a blessed weekend.
Connie

Outdoor Kitchen

11:47, Saturday, September 20, 2008 .. Posted by oklamouse

Connie, the outdoor kitchen is pretty simple right now. A BBQ grill. It is nearly the end of the season right now to be making a lot of additions to it. Next spring though as soon as the weather is warm enough, that will be one of our big changes.

oil lamps

09:58, Sunday, September 21, 2008 .. Posted by miniumgallegos

HI!

My husband and I are tossing the idea around of going only oil lamps for the lights--have you had a recent electric bill? Has it cut your costs? We would love to get real info and see if it really does help. We have a dream of simplifying and building our own self-sufficient, off-grid home, but right now we are where God has planted us, yet we realize that we can do things to live that dream while we are here...so I'd love to hear more!

Blessings,
Jill
(I'm working and praying that my dh will let me unplug the tv as well--my kids seem to get so attached to Tom & Jerry, and disney movies--we don't turn it on that much--but still it's available-- and direct tv is $45 a month that could be put to better use!)