If everyone just gave one...2nd Annual Stuff a Truck

As we all know the holidays are only days away. Have you picked up all your gifts? What about the food for your holiday dinner table? I am sure if you haven't yet you will be running to the store this weekend right?


What would happen if you didn't have the money to buy that food?


Or else you had to pick between putting food on the table or buying your children Christmas gifts? 

We would all hope that life wasn't like that for us or our family/friends. But for many in the Upper Valley this is a very real problem. So to help with this problem and be able to give our friends in the Upper Valley a good Holiday The Wolf 95.3 and 107.1 along with their sister stations have paired up with the Upper Valley Haven and Listen Community Services  for the 2nd Annual Stuff a Truck Event.  Last year we filled one and a half truck full of Canned good, non-perishable and personal items. That was 2 tons of food donated. This year we are striving to do that again but even better.  We want to stuff 2 trucks!! If everyone just brought 1 item or even 2 items we can make this happen.

Just think about it this way. It is neighbor helping neighbor to get through some rough times. Consider it "paying it forward" if you will.  If we all work together and each person gave just one thing each we can go a long way to helping our friends and family in the Upper Valley to have a wonderful Holiday Season.  So while you are shopping for your own groceries, pick up a list at the store and choose 1 or 2 items to donate. Challenge your friends, family, coworkers to see who can bring in the most and support a great local cause.

Please come on by and visit our favorite local DJ's and help support a great cause.  We look forward to see you there.

Paul-Photo Credits

Traci-Photo Credits

Join us for “The Ultimate Stuff A Truck”

Thursday December 15^th – Saturday December 17^th as we help out

the Listen and Upper Valley Haven Food Pantry! Bring by your non perishable

food items, toiletries, or donations to the Price Chopper on the Miracle Mile in Lebanon.

Anytime day or night we’ll be there!

The Ultimate Stuff a Truck, helping our neighbors in need this holiday season!

 

 

Christmas Wishes:	ALWAYS NEEDED:
Hams Cranberry Sauce Pie Filling Pineapple Rings Canned Sweet Potatoes Pie Crusts Maple Syrup Stuffing Gravy Mixes Brown Sugar Instant Potatoes Evaporated Milk Quick Breads Nuts Pickles Black Olives Cream of Mushroom Soup Canned Onion Rings Green beans	Cereal Peanut Butter and Jelly Instant mashed potatoes Pasta of all kinds Canned Vegetables Canned meats Spaghetti Sauce Soups Tomato paste, diced, whole or stewed Macaroni & Cheese Baking items & mixes Rice (brown & white) Condiments Rice & Pasta side dishes Beef Stew Dried beans, lentils, peas Dried Soup Mixes Canned fruit Fruit Juice & beverages	Baked Beans Meals in a Can (ravioli,etc.) Baby Formula & Cereal Chili Pancake mix & syrup Spices/herbs Chicken and Beef Broth Evap./Powder Milk Snack Items Diapers & wipes Laundry Detergent Toothpaste Dish Detergent Napkins and Tissues Toilet Paper Deodorant Feminine Products Shaving Cream & Razors Shampoo & Conditioner Soap

Thanks to...

.

Photo Credits

How to afford Christmas?

With all the uncertainty in the economy lately I am sure many of you are wondering, "How do I afford Christmas this year?" 

Well I know that I have wondered that too. So I have complied a couple of ideas for you while trying to fit into the idea of self-sufficiency.

• Homemade items

Now please don't groan out loud. I am sure that you probably have got some images of potholders that you could make using those looms. Well that isn't exactly what I have in mind. I know that many days I am running around with little thought as to what to eat. Then here it is.....dinner time and I remember I haven't taken anything out for dinner.  Why not make up Jar gifts? Yes I know that you can do cookies and brownies etc in them. But did you know that you can also do soups? They are great gifts for newlyweds, college kids, or anyone you can think of. Especially if you are interested in doing a Chicken Noodle Soup or Minestrone Soup. They also make really great teacher gifts too. For a great list of soups that can be made into a Jar visit here.

•  Gift Baskets

These can go right along with Homemade items too. Especially if you use thrift store or other frugal items. I have in the past created a new mom basket for a friend who just had a baby. I was able to pick up a really nice basket at a Thrift store for only 25cents, used a scrap piece of fabric to lay inside of it.  I then also picked up a coffee mug at the dollar store, package of plastic spoons, bag of chocolate, a couple of scented candles and I was all set.  So I melted the chocolate, dipped the spoons into it and let them cool, used ribbon to wrap the spoons, placed them and the coffee mug in the basket, along with the scented candles and I was all set.  The new mom loved the basket as it gave her a quick easy way to have a 5 minute mom time out while feeling very pampered.


With times being what they are do we really need to spend tons of money on each other just to tell someone we care about them? What happened to having practical gifts given to each other? I know for myself that I will be given more practical gifts this year and trying to save money for my family.

Can you share your ideas for Frugal Christmas Gifts?

Calling 2012 Test Kitchens for OAMC

As you learned yesterday, we use test kitchens to test out each and every one of our menus. And no, I am not sending these menus to Good Housekeeping for their review! We use readers as test cooks because after all, you are the ones doing the cooking. I need to know if the menus make sense for YOU!

SIGN ME UP!

This is not a paid opportunity (although I wish it was) but a necessary function in the life of this blog. And a service that helps make great menus free to everyone. If you are interested in finding out more about the details of being a test cook you can read more here. If you have signed up in the past you MUST sign up AGAIN for this session. We are currently looking for cooks for January through June of 2012. We like to keep our records up to date and accurate so we create a new survey or pool of test kitchens every 6 months.

You do get to indicate which menus you are most interested in, taste preferences and availability. And I will contact test cooks on a month-to-month basis and you are able to decline if you find out you are unable for that month. So don’t worry that yo have signed your life away.

We appreciate our test cooks and thank you in advance for signing up!

Homestead Drying Racks.com - Forgotten Way Blog Holiday Giveaway

Christmas Giveaway

Christmas has become very special to me; because of the child like excitement my wife has maintained every year, for the past 13 years. The warming touch to all the décor and holiday food is simply… amazing.

With this being our 3rd Homestead Christmas off the grid, I take great joy in the simple pleasures of our homestead during the holidays.  We have come a long way, from camping to building our homestead home, and we want to start our own yearly traditions with our homestead business.

With these warm thoughts do I announce the,

Forgotten Way Farms Annual Christmas Giveaway

One “Homesteader” drying rack a (value of $149) and one “Plunger Washer” a (value of $25) to one reader. This giveaway will end on Monday the 14th at midnight.
      

You may enter the following ways:

1.Become a Google Follower

2.Post about this giveaway on your blog.

3.Subcribe to our RSS feed (If you already have, still leave a comment)
4.Grab our button and link back to our homepage.

5.Do all four and leave two bonus comments for a total of six chances to win!

Please leave a separate comment for each.


Just as my family has learned new ways to old problems (speaking of laundry). Our hope is to support other families in some of the “Forgotten Ways”.

Thank you for our first great year online. We have enjoyed your emails and comments immensely.

- Forgotten Way Family


 

Tis post is a part of: Barn Hop, Monday mania, Fat Tuesday, Give it to me Monday,Domestically Divine,Call me blessed,Traditional Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Real Food Wednesday Drying racks are not just for clothes. Herbs & noodles are just a few other things you can do with your drying rack!

 

The Power of your Pantry Part 2/Challenge week # 4 Update

Hello Everyone,

So we have made it to the fourth week of our Home Independence Challenge. This is also the second part of our Power of your Pantry Series. 

So we have been focusing on Meal Preparation for our homes.  Everyone knows that in order to have  successful Meal Planning you need to have the vital ingredients or acceptable substitutes in your pantry. That is where having a Master Pantry List can really help you out.

It also can really simplify your shopping, since as you use things from your pantry you can easily see what is needed to replenish your stock.


CONDIMENTS:
prepared mustard
ketchup
pickles
mayonnaise
salsa
white and cider vinegar
marinades

GRAINS:
White Rice
Brown rice
Rolled Oats

BEANS - Canned and Dried
*honestly I don't normally have beans in the house. I will go and purchase them when I am in need. Otherwise they simply take up space for months at a time in the pantry


PASTAS:
spaghetti
lasagna
elbow
bow ties
wagon wheels
noodles
ziti

NUTS:
*again I purchase these as necessary


SOUPS (Canned or Dry)
chicken and rice
vegetable beef
chicken noodle
Soup sippers-coming soon Homemade Recipes

TEAS AND COFFEE

Once you get your pantry set up there is no limit to the things you can create. Never again worry about the phone call that company is coming over and you have nothing to serve. 

The power of your pantry-Challenge Week #3

A pantry is a room where food, provisions or dishes are stored and served in an ancillary capacity to the kitchen.


As anyone who cooks knows you need to have the right ingredients on hand in order to create the meals that you want. You have to have somewhere to store these ingredients. Depending on the amount of space you have will determine the size of your "pantry". You could have a traditional closet for your pantry, or a single cabinet, sometimes you pantry might just be a tote that is stored under your bed.  Any shape that is takes, they all serve the same purpose.



In order to have a successful meal planning you need to know what you have and where they are located.  Here comes the master pantry list. First off you need to make a simple decision.
 
How much cooking do you like to do? Do you want to make most of your meals from scratch or are you looking for a more semi-homemade kind of meal?

Once you have answered those questions you can decide exactly what works best for your family.  I do a little bit of both. I love to cook from scratch but during the week my meals are more of the semi-homemade variety. There is no right or wrong answer to this, it simply depends on what your preferences, skills and time allows.

BAKING
Flour
sugar/sweetener
baking soda
baking powder
salt
yeast
Butter
oil-your choice

SPICES:
allspice,
bay leaf
basil
cayenne pepper
cinnamon
chili powder
cloves
cream of tartar
cumin
ginger
garlic, fresh and powder
marjoram
mustard
nutmeg
onion powder
oregano
paprika
parsley
sage
salt
 thyme
turmeric
vegetable broth
chicken broth
beef broth 

Well this is a beginning of a master pantry list. This will be a three part series creating a pantry that works for you. I don't always have these things in my pantry but I work on devoting a small amount of money out of the grocery fund to stocking up and/or replenishing items I feel are essential to keeping my pantry well stocked. 

Quilting a lost Art

I had the wonderful chance to attend a local Quilt show last week and I just had to share it. This event is sponsored by the Soonipi Quilt Guild.

Quilts - An American Legacy

Oct. 04, 2011 - Oct. 28, 2011
Quilt show is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays Opening Reception is on Saturday October 1 from 2-4 pm. Everyone welcome. For more information: Call Dorothy Hathaway 603-863-4342 or Lois Flanders 603-763-8752 or e-mail Lois at loisflan@hotmail.com

• Sponsor: SooNipi Quilt Guild
• Location: Library Arts Cebter, 53 N. Main St., Newport NH 03773
• Admission: free, donations appreciated
• Contact: 603-863-3040
• Email: toto863@gmail.com

 This beautiful quilt is called "Autumn Trails", created by Maggie Ford in 2006. Professionally quilted by Laura Chowanski of Sunshine Carousel Quilt Shop.

This beautiful quilt, I believe might be my favorite. It is called "Christmas Quilt", it was created by Dorothy Hathaway, Lempster NH in 2011. Professionally quilted by Granham Quilt Works, Newport NH.





Quilting was a traditional way of life for many of our Grandparents. It has become a disappearing art.  There is a movement among people to redevelop this wonderful tradition. You see many local stores that are now offering quilting lessons, fabrics and all the supplies that you would ever need.  There is nothing like a handmade quilt that could be passed down through families. I encourage you to seek out the local resources and learn this wonderful skill. You will never be sorry that you did, especially on a chilly winter night.

Week # 2 Check In

Here we are at the second week of our Home Independence Challenge.

Our week has been very busy.  I am processing apples left and right. I have made a variety of applesauce in my crock pot.  Unfortunately none of it has made it to the freezer but we are working on that as I write. If you are looking for a quick easy way to make homemade applesauce you can go here.

I also got a great surprise yesterday while going past the garden.  I actually found more green peppers on the plants. I was very surprised since we had already had 2 deep frosts and in my foolishness figured there was nothing more in the garden.  My mistake...

  There are a couple a spots on them but simply cutting them out before I freeze them and it will all be just fine.  This year after many years of never getting any peppers to grow I have managed to get three 1-gallon zippy bags full of them. I even had enough to make salsa.

Green Tomatoes....that is all I seem to have managed to grow this year.  BUT if you pick them while still green and healthy and put them in a paper bag in the fridge and they will ripen.


I also have been checking out the reduced produce at the various grocery stores that I visit. You can get great produce at reasonable prices. I ended up with three 1-gallon zippy bags of corn that I cut the ears in half prior to freezing.

All of these little steps make it much easier to plan out my meals during the week.  I have found that if I have pieces of meals set up in the freezer it makes the ability to plan out my meals more than five minutes before I need to start cooking. Even if I haven't sat down and actually committed all the meals onto papers I can open the freezer in the morning and pull things out.  That will at least insure that my family is eating healthy foods and I am saving money by not having to run to a drive thru.

This weekend's plan is to actually go thru the freezer and make a complete meal plan for this coming week. I am also on the look for new recipes to change up some of the old standbys. 

Apples and Sunshine

Well finally after some really cold morning and a good amount of frost we are feeling a little Indian Summer. So I have set up my crock pots and have applesauce cooking. We love apples and all the fun things you can do with them. Well this year I have bought way to many apples as usual so I am knee deep in the things.

So I have learned to make homemade applesauce. Well it was so easy that I just have to encourage everyone to make it.  Here are the questions that you need to ask yourself prior to making homemade applesauce.

Can you cut up an apple? Do you own a crock pot? Do you have cinnamon and sugar available?

If you answered yes to these questions then you can make applesauce too.




Homemade Apple Sauce the Easy Way

8 large apples-cored, peeling is optional
3 tablespoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute

Cut up your apples, making sure to get the cores and seeds out. You can peel your apples if you want to but it isn't necessary. Once your all done cutting the apples up, place the apples and cinnamon, sugar all in a crock pot. Turn on low for 6-8 hours. You can stir and mash as you go or wait til it is all done. It is simply personal preference.

So that is it. So simply that even your kiddos can do it. Mine did.

This post is being shared at Wild crafting Wednesday
Real Food Wednesdays,  Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

Week #1 Challenge Check in

Well it has officially begun, The Home Independence Challenge.

The first topic we are going to cover is meal planning. I know you have probably heard it a million times. Plan your meals, you can save money.  But you are probably thinking I really don't have time to think about creating a menu. I know that I was thinking it many times. But I have learned how to cut corners so to speak and actually make it work.

I am still in the planning stages for the most part when it comes to meal planning. But it is getting better, I really promise you.

For perfect example: Tonight I made a roasted chicken for dinner. I will now throw that chicken in the crock pot tomorrow and cook on low all day (after adding the appropriate amount of water). So now while I am working the crock pot will be cooking. When I get home I will find two things, a wonderful chicken broth and the leftover meat from the chicken will be falling right off the bone.  So I can take only a couple of minutes to pull off whatever meat didn't actually just fall off and add it to the broth. Throw all of that broth and meat into a container and freeze. There we go, I have just started another nights meal. During the winter we love stews and soups, plus anything I can do in the crock pot just makes my life so much easier. 

So there is the crucial step one of menu planning. Actually thinking ahead and putting together a portion of a future meal.  So now I know that I have broth with chicken already in it, safely tucked into the freezer. Now to use it in the future, I just pop it into the crock pot with some veggies and most likely rice, as the rice works so much better in the crock pot than noodles.  When I get home the house smells so good and there is a hot meal just waiting for us.

I try and do this every time we have chicken. Whether it is legs or a roaster it all can make some wonderful broth.  I have several ways that I save the broth.  You can do it like I have stated above and have it pre-made into another meal or just freeze it in ice cube trays....Yes I said Ice Cube Trays. I also do this because each cube is the equivalent of 1 oz.  So if I want to substitute chicken broth in something instead of water I can. Simply by remembering for every cup of water it has 8 oz of liquid. So 1 cup water would be 8 ice cubes.

So as you are cooking think about how tonight's left overs can make another meal without a lot of work.

The first Frost

Well it is official, We have had our first frost. Mind you it wasn't a deep frost but it keeps the idea that winter isn't really all that far away.  So what have you started to do to get ready for the up coming winter?

I have started to stock up on what I call "Winter Time Foods". These things include things that are easy to cook using alternative methods in case there is no power.  I also have started to make meals ahead of time that are frozen and already cooked. That way I can take them out and just heat them up. You would be amazed at what you can cook on a grill. I make lasagna and then freeze it. I can then take it out of the freezer and set it on the grill. By keeping the grill temperature at a low temp you can re-heat it safely, leaving it wrapped up in foil to avoid burns.
Photo Credit

Another great one is boneless, skinless Chicken breast. I make foil packets and inside them go chicken, sliced potato, veggie and some spices. This is actually a great year round kind of food that is easy, Campbell's Kitchen has a great recipe for this one. You can find it HERE.