Just a Common Soldier

Thank you to all who have served.

Ball Pickle Mix

Wanted to give a recommendation.  My DH purchased this accidentally a year or so ago - he went for pickle spice and picked this up instead.  It had been on my shelf for a while and last fall I had lots of cucumbers so decided to try it.  This makes a wonderful pickle!!!   I would highly recommend it and as soon as I see this in the store again I will pick a couple more up.  All the spices, salt, sugar are in the bag all you need is vinegar and water.  These are crisp, dill - kind of like the type you get at the restaurant with a sandwich. 

Spring Case Lot Sales

Case lot sales come to our area in the spring and the fall.  It's a nice time to buy items that you would purchase anyway.  It does require some space to house the extras but in the long run can save you $$$.  Last fall I bought some sugar and after the sale was off the price doubled..  That's a big savings.  I also like to buy tomato sauce, canned milk, etc..  The canned milk is 1/3 to 1/2 the normal price.  (I like canned milk in creamy soups - and then I can save our fresh for drinking.)  I have also used canned milk in place of half and half in recipes (Alfredo sauce and the like).

We like to have some canned soup on hand as well so this is a great time to stock up on that.  If we have unplanned lunch guests or we're just busy and need a quick something, I can always make soup and a sandwich.  

I do make it a point to check the 'best by' date on the items I purchase.  I've never had a problem but do like to check that the items have a year or more on them just in case we don't get them all used up right away.   

Do you have case lot sales in your area?  

I do remember them from my childhood in Michigan.  Although my mom says they just don't do that any more.   So now mom watches for items on sale and when she finds a good price she'll buy extra.   Smart lady.  

Hope everyone is well and starting to see signs of spring.  

Blessings to you and yours...

a little bird

100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Today I decided to make some whole wheat rolls.  These are an adaption of The Survival Mom rolls.

·        2 Tablespoons yeast

·        1 1/2 cup warm water

·        1/4 cup honey

·        1/2 cup butter, softened

·        3 eggs

·        3 Tablespoons dry milk

·        3 cups wheat berries ground fine (or 4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour hard white wheat or hard red wheat both work great)

·        1 1/2 teaspoon salt

In your bowl mix the yeast, warm water, and honey.  Let it get foamy add the dry ingredients (milk, flour, salt and begin to knead.  Now add the 3 eggs and the soft butter.

Knead for 10 minutes. Put in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap, allow to double.

Punch down and cut into 24 equal portions roll into balls and place touching each other in a 9x13” pan.  Cover with plastic wrap and allow to double again and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Happy Ground Hog's Day.  How did this ever get started??  Anyway hope you had a great day.

My Daughter-in-love called they were headed out shopping and the girls said call Mimi she may want to  go too.  I did, we had a fun lunch out and shopping day. 

I had a few things on my list not many but bread was one of them... I love Dave's Killer Bread - but ouch the price, $4.62 a loaf.  Well I just choose not to pay that price.  I have a good whole wheat recipe and thought I can make good bread at home for a fraction of the cost!!

I buy my wheat berries in bulk a 45 lb bucket of wheat is 24.99 (Lehi Roller Milles is my very favorite) That's about 55 cents per pound.  One pound of wheat berries = apx. 4 1/2 cups of flour.  (That's one loaf of bread.) Add in the water, sugar, salt, yeast, and vital wheat gluten and that's maybe 75 cents (and I'm being generous here).  So $1.30 per loaf for wonderful healthy, freshly ground homemade bread.  I did add a handful of walnuts in just to add some extra yum.

You can knead this by hand, use your mixer or bread machine, knead for 10 minutes.  I also make a super easy artesian bread .  That we love so I guess sometimes I just have to be reminded why I like homemade bread.

Whole Wheat Nut Bread
3 cups wheat berries - grind fine and sift
1 3/4 water
3 T. sugar (or 1.5 T. honey)
2 T. dry milk
1.5 teaspoons salt
2 T. butter
4 T. vital wheat gluten
1 T. yeast
2/3 cup walnuts


Happy bread making to you!!  This makes wonderful bread for toast.

I Have A Dream