RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.

This is a bit disconcerting to say the very least.  And not for young children it would scare them.  As a parent you could share this information by talking and/or role playing.

All of that said this is good information.  I pray none of us ever finds ourselves in a situation that we would need it.

Prices on the Rise?

I am hearing this from everywhere.  Due to the drought... Due to the price of corn... Due to ...  Ad infinitum

I hope you are working on your food storage now so if the food prices do indeed go up you will be prepared.  I'm looking forward to the fall case lot sales.  I missed the spring sales (we were in Michigan visiting family).  So my stores are getting low.  I'm down to my last few cans of evaporated milk.  Coffee just isn't the same without my evaporated milk.  That is spoiled I know but it's the truth.  If there is something you  use a lot of buy it on sale!!  And if you can, buy enough to get you through to the next sale.

 I don't think we need to fret we just need to pay attention and prepare ahead of time.

Proverbs 22:3

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. New Living Translation

Routine

I haven't posted a thing.  I really don't even have any ideas regarding a post.  I guess I'm still getting back into routine.  Saturday morning I picked green beans, probably about 1.5 gallons.  We ate half of them yesterday and will eat the other half with supper tonight.  Yum!!

The cabbage are starting to make nice heads.  DH was worried they were behind.  It is better to make sauerkraut when it's cooler so I think they are right on schedule.

DH is starting to talk about trips to the mountains for wood.  :-)  This is very normal.  In the hottest part of the year he is planning for the cold winter and wants us to be warm and toasty.  That's a good thing!

There must have been a range fire somewhere last night because the air was really smokey last night.  I had to shut the bedroom window it was too much smoke for me...

I better get off and finish getting ready for work but wanted to stop and do a quick up-date.  Have a great day!

Back to Work

I am back to work -  I like my job which is a good thing because I spend a good portion of my wakeful hours there.  :-)

I'm getting back in to routine.  Up early - ready for the day - out the door - 9+ hours - home again - start supper (or dinner depending on your local dialect) - enjoy the evening and early to bed (early to bed is my goal anyway...)

Hope you're having a great week!

Best Ever Laundry Soap

(this is 2 tablespoons - enough for a large load)

I'm sure you have all seen the 'home made laundry soap' recipes on the web... Well I really enjoy the blog 'A Prudent Homemaker'.  She has a recipe for powdered laundry soap that sounded worth a try.

As is so many times the case I had to change it a bit... :D  Her recipe calls for Oil of Olay bar soap but I bought a large bar of Zout, as it is for laundry.

1 bar Zote, grated (I used my food processor but you could grate it by hand too) This bar grated to 4 cups
4 cups Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
4 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
2 cups Oxiclean

Mix well and store.  I put mine in glass jars it made about  3 1/2 quarts.  I have a front loading HE washer.  2 tablespoons is what I need to use per large load.   Yes, 2 tablespoons is all!!! WOW


I have to say that I will make this from now on.  My husband works hard and his clothes get dirty and yes, smelly.  I ran a load of his laundry and it came out clean, soft and it smelled - clean.  There was no perfume smell it was just clean clothes.  I even had him do the 'smell test', he has a very discerning nose, and he too gave them the stamp of approval. 

So if you too have been wanting to try the home made laundry soap I would highly recommend the above recipe.
a little bird


  
  

Advice from a Singer Sewing Manual from 1949:

Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do. . . never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates.

Never try to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade. When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing. . .When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress. Keep a little bag full of French chalk near your sewing machine to dust your fingers at intervals. Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on . . .[If] you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should. .

Canner's Guide Two

Ball Blue Book 1969

Kerr Home Canning Book 1942

I enjoy canning - does it show?

I enjoy old canning books not to follow their process but for the glimpse into the time and era.

Much of the information is still true today "You can supply your family with food of much greater nutritive value at less cost and greater savings, by canning at home. Fresh fruits, vegetables and meats retain the vitamins, minerals and other health-giving properties so essential to your well-being, when canned by modern methods ..."

http://nchfp.uga.edu/

Canner's Planning Guide

The planning guide both canner's and garden are from the Ball Blue Book copyright 1979.  The canning processes have changed but these two guides remain the same.

I'm sorry that the resolution isn't better.  I hope you will be able to read them well enough to use the information.

These are from my grandmother's Ball Blue Book 1933. 

 I think they are wonderful and although the canning processes have changed GREATLY since 1933 

the above Forward information still holds true today .

Oven Canning is not an excepted method of canning.   For current recommendations go to: http://nchfp.uga.edu/

Winding Down and Ramping Up

My summer is winding down and fall is ramping up!  I have had a lovely summer break my accomplishments...  rest, relaxation, sewing, sorting, organizing, cleaning, canning, family time, girls day out with a dear friend, and the list goes on and on.

I love the lazy-hazy days of summer.  I remember as a child they seemed to go on forever what a pleasure it was to sleep in and not be on a schedule, family reunions, vacations at the lake.  But in the fall there were new shoes and clothes, pencils and notebooks, friends that we hadn't seen in weeks, schedule and organization to our days...  Every time of year has a draw doesn't it.  God is so good.

Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

With going back to work I have to find time slots to can and sew but they are there it's just a bit harder to push it all into the same amount of time.

 My dear husbands schedule starts to slow a bit after I go back to work (isn't that always the way :D).  So he starts to think of the mountains and wood gathering.  He likes to see the wood all split and stacked, knowing it will keep us warm and dry through the winter's cold, just like I like to see the jars of summer's bounty lining my pantry shelves.   I see meals and menus when I look at those jars.  And when he looks at the lines of wood he sees warm evenings by the fire, all snug and cozy, while the winter winds howl outside.

So whether your summer is winding down or still ramping-up I hope you have a GREAT day.
a little bird

Hot - Hot - Hot

This is our weather forecast for the week.  I know everyone else has been having it too.  July is our hot month here and it's July.
What to do to stay cool?

•  drink lots of fluids,  
• open the house at night to pull in as much cool night air as we can. 
• close the house up as soon as it starts to warm to hold the cool air in
• close the blinds
• turn the air (AC) on if you have it
• make dinner in the crock pot or out on the grill
• if you need to 'bake' do it in the Dutch oven outside or if you have one of those cool sun ovens this would be the perfect day 
• fill the kiddie pool in a shady spot and dangle your toes or if you're really hot, get in!
• sit in the shade during the hottest part of the day or stay in the house 
• drink lots of fluids again
• if you don't have AC run a fan
• if you're still hot spritz yourself with water and sit by the fan

Have a great day!!! And stay cool.