Pumpkin Soup, Inside of a Pumpkin

I got this idea from the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver.

You can find the exact recipe here: http://animalvegetablemiracle.com/index.html.

I took the general concept and altered it to my liking, I encourage you to do the same and expiriment with it. Very yummy and just plain fun!

 

 

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*Helpful Hints...

 

 

 

-gut pumpkin and save the seeds-they are so delicious roasted with butter and sea salt!

 

-make sure to bake in a dish in case of overflow

 

 

-use foil underneith pumpkin top to prevent it from falling in

 

-gently scrape the insides of the pumpkin a few times during baking, take extra care in the bottom center

 

-bake at 375 for 1-2 hours depending on the size of the pumpkin. This one baked at least an hour and a half



Chickens, Growing

 

 

 

 

 

 

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May '12

 

 

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June '2012

 

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August '12

 

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the end.

Laundry Soap

Super Easy Laundry Soap

No need to buy detergent from the store again!

Toxins in detergents can be harmful to your health and aren't legally required to be listed as ingredients. The only way to be sure of what's going into your washer, and eventually on your skin, is to make it yourself.

This recipe is short and simple and you can alter it to your liking.

All you need is:

-Borax

-Washing Soda

and

-a bar of Soap-whichever you prefer ( I chose Dove Sensitive Skin)

~Grate bar soap

~Add one (1) cup of washing soda

~Add one (1) cup borax

~Mix together with fingers

~Put in whatever container your heart desires

~Use one (1) tablespoon per load of laundry, more if clothes are especially soiled

~Wash as you would with any other detergent

My clothes came out fresh and clean, but without the scent, which I prefer. If you would rather your clothes smell, chose a scented bar soap.

I should mention, if you like liquid soap it's as simple as heating the grated bar soap in a little water on the stove until it's melted then pouring it into a tub or bucket. Add the other ingredients and water until it is half full. Let it sit overnight, shake it up, and add more water until it is the desired consistancy. I was being lazy and the powder works fine. :)

Bird Seed Hangers

I got this amazing idea while looking for thank you gifts to make for my wedding. They are SO easy but VERY messy. Make sure you have extra oil out and accessible because your fingers get very sticky.

Mix 3/4 C flour, 1 pkg unflavored gelatin, 1/2 C water and 3 Tbsp corn syrup in a bowl. Add 4 cups bird seed.

Smush bird seed into GREASED cookie cutter. Add more to top and really smush it in the best that you can. The harder pressed they are, they firmer they will be and the less they will break apart.  Smooth out top as desired.

*While it is still in the cookie cutter-pierce the hole with a skewer or whatever you want to use. If you wait until you slide it out, it will significantly deform it. I figured this out after a couple of attempts.

Gently slide bird seed out of cookie cutter and lightly touch up shape.

Let rest on wax or parchment paper over night or until firm.

Once solid you can thread string or twine thru the hole and hang outside for the birdies!

Sorry I havn't posted much lately...

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, readers. I have been very busy planning my wedding, and then my computer broke. :( I actually have been making quite a bit of things, and I will eventually post them, as soon as I get my computer up and running again. Thank you for checking out my blog, and thank you to those who check back regularly. You are not forgotten.

~K

Applesauce

One day a long long time ago, ok maybe not that long ago, my dad told me the concept of how to make applesauce. You cut up apples, put 'em in a pan with water, add a dish of cinnamon and a dash of sugar and cook it till you want to eat it. That's pretty much it. I'm sure he may have been a little more specific of how much of what and when to what, but I remember the concept, not the recipe. Last weekend I had some spare time and a few big apples staring me down from the fruit bowl screaming "eat me, eat me", so I did what anybody would do who had apples begging to be eaten and no desire to actually eat an apple, I made apple sauce. It's pretty much gone now, but I thought I'd share.

I forgot to take a picture of the finished applesauce, and it's too late now. :(

Bulk Sacks

Bulk sacks are different from bread sacks, how, I'm not sure. I made a bread sack a while ago and failed to post it on here. It worked great! I simply cut a sheet that I was not using to about twice the width of a loaf of ciabatta bread and made it extra long so I could tie the end. I like to buy my bread at the Panera next to my work for a number of reasons. Reason number one: they make their bread fresh every morning and DO NOT PREWRAP their bread. That way I can get it before packaging ever hits it. They have no issue saving their wrappers and putting it strait in my sack. They do however use a sheet of plastic to grab the bread with and immediately toss it in the trash, I cringe every time. Asking them to grab it with their bare hands seems to be crossing a line so I am letting it go for now. Reason number two: at the end of every day, all the bread and pastries that did not get sold get bagged up and donated to people who need it, and I am glad to spend a little extra money on a company that has that kind of value. Reason number three: have you ever been to Panera? Their bread rocks!

At work the other day, I was talking to a coworker about my attempts to make a bulk sack and how I was stuck with how to secure it. This particular coworker just so happens to be skilled with a needle and thread and suggested a way to make a drawstring sack. I like to sew by hand-yes it is time consuming-yes I poke myself with the needle a lot-yes it scares my bf when my crazy sewing gets out of control and the needle gets closer and closer to his face-but I like it. It's relaxing.

The following pictures are in the process of making the sack-I haven't found the material to use as the drawstring but I have a number of ideas. When I get around to finishing it-and I hope it's soon because I need more bulk foods-I will post a picture and a more detailed description of how it's done. But for now, enjoy these pictures.