Delightful French Bread

I really like this bread toasted but it's also great sliced with butter and not toasted. Give it a try!

Delightful French Bread

2 1/2 c. warm water
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp  salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
6 c. flour…cup sifted see directions
2 pkgs yeast (each pkg of yeast = 2 1/4 tsp yeast, so here you would double for the 2 pkgs)

I top with 1 egg, sesame seeds, and I sprinkle cornmeal in the pan after I spray it.

Put the water, which should be lukewarm, on your regular mixing bowl - any mixer. Add salt, sugar, the oil and yeast. Mix them, add half the flour (cup sifted is where you use a spoon to scoop flour and sprinkle it into a measuring cup).

Mix well then add the other half flour the same way. Stir till it is all mixed well, you are not kneading just mixing till all is mixed.

Throw a dish towel over the whole works. Set your timer for 10 minutes then give the mixer a whirl then cover again. Do this a total of five times then the dough is a tad sticky. I spray my hands and divide the dough between the two sides of a french bread pan. I kind of stretch it and lay it in the section the pan that was already sprayed and dusted with cornmeal spray and cover with plastic wrap. When doubled in size, slash three slashes diagonally on the bread. Mix your egg, I add just a tsp of water, mix and brush on the loaves and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 375 in a preheated oven bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from pans to cooling rack.

Monday Message

"Get organized" by making your own laundry soap, click HERE for the recipe!

I read this article this morning. Right off you might think it means organizing closets or such, nope - everyone who gets this should read this article it will make you really think what you could do… http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/organized/

Recipe ideas for food storage - http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/08/40-food-storage-recipes-and-food-storagepantry-staple-lists/


http://ldsliving.com/story/67831-14-tips-for-food-storage-shopping - helpful info here things to consider for sure!

http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category3_715839595_10557_3074457345616706237_-1_N_image_0 - you can order through the church.

Keep working on your skill building. These will help you get started with crochet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqo0K8oMLjY&list=TLaODeuis7tzdp1JdrBQZsewJnjQrQGzy6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qolwqm3R-g&feature=youtu.be

Continue growing your skills and working on your storage. Learn more ways to be frugal. 

Homework: Read the first article!

Monday Message

Keep looking for ways to build your skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqo0K8oMLjY - crocheting is a good skill to have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qolwqm3R-g&feature=em-subs_digest  this is a great beginning class for crocheting.

I was watching a sewing show on public television and on there she had a guest who helps a group that receives donated sewing machines notions and fabric. They go to where there are people too poor to have a sewing machine then teach them how to sew for their families and to mend. Then send them home with the machine and such so they can save money by sewing for their families. What a blessing for those families. Even if you don’t sew it still is a skill you should have in your pocket.

http://thediydreamer.com/sewing/sewing-101-guide-for-beginners-like-me/

If you have a used or find a used machine do a search on name and model number, which should be on your machine (usually by the cord plug in).

Then I would go over the manual you printed, highlight important things you want to find fast again, even tag pages, then learn how to clean and oil your machine.

Then do some testing. If you have problems you cannot figure out, ask a sewing friend. If you need to take it in to be repaired this should still be cheaper then buying new.

Be sure to learn everything your machine will do. I do this by taking a plain color piece of fabric then I sew each stitch the machine does.

Then look at pattern books. I have kept the patterns I like as it has been years since I have liked the patterns for myself... too short, too tight, too something... but remember you pick your own style. You do not have to go with the masses. But if you like an aspect of current styles, if you know how to sew, you can easily add. But watch for fabric stores to put on sale the pattern about every three weeks or so. Look for more traditional, never go out to build your pattern library.

How I store my patterns is not the only way but it works well.

I take the pattern out of its envelope and put in a brown 5x7 envelope which I write child or adult. Then I write the pattern company and in the right hand top corner I write the number.

I file in numerical order, ignoring the pattern company - it is all about the numbers. The pattern envelope I put in a page protector and then in a notebook - I have one for adults and house and the other is babies and children. So that means two file drawers. So I know where to look kids or adults.

This makes it so you can take the notebook or the pages to go get fabric without taking the whole pattern to the store.

Of course when you go to yard sales look for large pieces of fabric. This really saves money, look again for more traditional fabrics not the flash in the pan meaning in style today/out of date tomorrow.


So push your self to learn :)

I know you all are working on your storage and skills - I see it all the time and I am proud of you all!

Monday Message

Living with in our means is a worthy goal... Check out these links for some good tips!

http://www.sidetrackedsarah.com/2014/07/10-ways-save-money-childrens-clothes/ - As we are trying to get kids ready for school I thought you might find these helpful  it helps when we recycle

This article is one of my favorites and may change your thinking on certain things: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/07/powdered-milk-budgets-and-blessings?lang=eng&query=boxes+and+powdered+milk

Being frugal is a way of life. Those who walked life’s path before us knew how important this was.

I find being content is way more comfortable than wanting something you cannot afford. Learning to make do is a schooling that one learns by researching, implementing, and helping others. The more you learn and develop skills the easier this becomes. It is the harder path but way rewarding for sure. Some day we may need to rely on these skills and wouldn’t it be easier to already know how and what to do?

When you are under stress and need to bake bread let's say for your family the learning curve will be a tough pill to take. The first loaf of bread I made is buried behind the place we were living at the time. Looking back I am sure I killed the yeast. I placed it in two pans to rise. Hours and hours went by and they did not raise. I thought hmm.... put them in one pan then try. Well then I gave up and baked it anyway to describe that bread only takes one word “brick.” So if we needed at that time it would have been uneatable plus used up supplies.

Kids also play a factor in this curve. They might not like homemade bread at first as you are trying to learn making it as it won’t be the same as store bought but as you master it they will be requesting it.

I have a friend who learned to bake bread. She learned it over a one year period, learning all she could by the end of that year. She made the best bread I have ever had. Would I ever love to have her recipe! After that year she moved on to the next thing she wanted to learn. Now, it may not take a year to learn something and that is great. She had seven children at the time. Learn all you can. If you cannot learn it on your own find someone that is great and ask if they could teach you most often the answer is yes.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2013/04/25/how-to-overcome-food-storage-challenges/

http://thesurvivalmom.com/simple-food-storage-meals-for-tight-times-stock-up-on-three-months-worth-fast/

Make a book of basic meals your family likes then start storing those ingredients

If you have wheat stored, do you have a wheat grinder? Do you know how to use a wheat grinder?

http://www.breadexperience.com/home-milling.html - this can help you with information on grinding and has some recipes at the bottom. As a side note there is a wheat grinder you can check out from the ward. Check out from RS president or provident living leader. Check with your wards to see if you have one you could check out. You could grind flour ahead but you must freeze the flour.

If you do not have a grinder, start asking those who have one what they have and if they like it. Start searching to see which has good reviews then be saving up for one.

In the meantime these are fantastic…..

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/02/05/food-storage-blender-wheat-pancakes/

Keep working at learning new skills or perfecting ones you have already. Also, work at living frugally.

Monday Message - Food preservation

My daughter's vacuum sealer and canisters.

I thought it would be good to review vacuum sealers. In this first link, ignore that she is sealing coffee but pay attention to how she does all different type jars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E552XSAXEdk

The following links are also helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0XRSENsnYs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YpepSXQ1RU&index=8&list=PLE7ACFC04D80C520E

In the last link the lady shows using a vacuum cleaner (interesting for sure…)

With yard sale season still in full gear now is the time to be on the lookout for vacuum sealers. I have gotten three over the years from yard sales. Using them saves tons of money, so be sure to save extra jars and their lids - though I do find that I have had no luck with sealing baby food jars.

On the whole, vacuuming sealing extends the life of what you store. Every now and then as you go by check to see if the seal has popped, if it has then just redo it.

Save your used canning lids for vacuum sealing. They cannot be used for canning a second time so don’t throw them away, save them for vacuum sealing in your canning jars. Hopefully this has opened a whole new use for recycling jars!

Powdered milk is a boost in our storage, do you rotate it? Have you ever used it?

http://preparednessmama.com/powdered-milk-cooking/ - this has great ideas and also great recipes if you scroll down the page.

http://everydayfoodstorage.net/about-food-storage/powder-milk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlSUc2uk5_8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f56xWckMfDo

I feel these sites above will answer any questions you may have on powdered milk.

Summer can be a busy time but don't forget how important it is to help one another especially during a time of need - http://www.simplebites.net/cooking-for-others-a-guide-to-giving-sympathy-meals/

With tomato season almost here, check out these great ideas - http://sherellechristensen.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/10/recipes-for-canning-tomatoes-stewed-tomatoes-pizza-sauce-spaghetti-sauce-salsa.html

Keep working on your skills!

Monday Message

Mending is a great skill to learn and can help add a longer life to your clothes!

Building skills is what we are working on. It is like filling a piggy bank, only we will continue to build on them.

Mending

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/25494/simple-fixes-and-mending-techniques/page/all

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/53198839320671394/

http://freshlypicked.com/blogs/freshly-picked/11696753-how-to-fix-a-hole-in-your-jeans

I was once in line behind an Amish farmer in Kalona at a favorite bulk food store. He was getting a 50 pound bag of potatoes. While behind him I noticed his coveralls had several patches in them and each patch was lovingly sewed with tiny stitches all around the patch. I thought how loved he must be for someone to do that to help him stretch his hard earned money.

Money is hard worked for, we should be wise and make our things go as far as we can and when we make a purchase, seriously think how many hours of hard work went into paying for it. We might rethink our frivolous purchasing. Just some food for thought.  

Grocery shopping

Another silent taker of dollars are trips to the store. So making menus and sticking to them having a good stocked pantry or food storage helps even more.

http://penniesandpancakes.blogspot.com/2013/03/30-day-grocery-budget-menu-plan.html#.U71qac5OnIU - I think she has some good ideas here.

http://www.wikihow.com/Grocery-Shop-and-Cook-Frugally - some good ideas here to!

http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/05/31/budget-series-frugal-living-groceries/ - now as you read these just take what would be helpful. Grocery prices are constantly going up and where the people live in the article may be somewhere cheaper or not.

We need to learn how to combat the higher prices. Building your skills helps. Sometimes it's good to get groceries weekly or in two week intervals. I go once a month. I have a set amount that if I did not have storage I could not make it work. And I feel I am pretty frugal so when you see so much for a month for a family of five look with scrutiny. I looked at the first one and thought, okay they have stuff on hand or they could not do it. So don’t kick yourself for not being just like someone else. We are just collecting ideas which could work in our circumstances. Life is not about being better then others.

Cooking from scratch keeps popping up...

http://cooking-from-scratch.blogspot.com
here is a time-saving cooking from scratch http://www.foodstoragemoms.com/20-ways-use-frozen-pasta-save-money/

to end with a great scratch site…
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/foodsavings/tp/Learn-How-To-Cook-From-Scratch.html

So keep learning skills as you can, it's a powerful, freeing thing!

I know you are busy so just bookmark and learn at your own rate. You do not need to do it all at one time, work learning into your schedules. Make it a challenge.  :)

Monday Message - Building skills

Always continue to learn! If you want to learn something go after it, look up anything you can learn on the subject. One of the things I am learning myself to do is tat, I always wanted to know how to do it...

Tatting is a great skill to build. Find out more about how to tat here - LINK

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2012/06/tatting.html as you can see I have learned a little but i continue to push on searching and learning. You may not want to learn to tat you might want to learn to quilt do the same thing check out books look on YouTube you will soon be able to have that goal achieved  so press on learn skills, or develop skills you already have you are doing so for your family and for yourself.

http://homemakers-journal.blogspot.com/2011/01/easy-outdoor-cooking-recipes.html#.U7Sc6pUg9jo - thought I would throw this in as something you could learn in family home evening. You could construct then learn to use it as part of family-preparedness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEOjwcI5M9U  this shows how to sew on knit fabric

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfwKTUay6UA I love the way she explains things.

This next one is different and shows how to do your elastics in different ways https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ZD88zs6eU

For those who want to put that beginner knitting to work, this is the best practice and very useful items. 

http://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2012/06/easy-striped-dishcloth.html - I like the size of these over other patterns out there. I too need to get busy on more made. When you are stressed and need some relaxing, this is soothing for sure. Once you use them you will be like me and they will be what you look for first in your dishcloth drawer.

Here is some helpful information and a good skill to try...

http://www.commonsensehome.com/fresh-homemade-mozzarella-cheese-in-30-minutes/

I find it costs about the same to make as buy it but I think it is good to know how to make.

This one is on how to make cottage cheese also a good thing to know - http://cheftessbakeresse.blogspot.com/2009/08/homemade-cottage-cheese.html

http://www.cheesemaking.com/CreamChz.html this shows how to make cream cheese. You can also take plain yogurt and place it in layers of cheese cloth and hang over your sink overnight.

Put different things in your cream cheese, like shredded carrots or dried cranberries, or chopped onion or dill or finely chopped radishes or green peppers or chives or walnuts. The things you can do are endless!

Spreads for crackers…..
one package 8 oz package of cream cheese and two tbsp dry ranch dressing & mix. This fantastic on crackers!

One 8oz cream cheese and two tbsp of honey and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts great on crackers.

These are a few to get you started!