Dixie Doodle

I wanted to take a minute to promote my daughter's-in-law new business venture. Dixie Doodle is a wonderful place to purchase some homemade crocheted hats and scarves. Go take a look. She does a wonderful job and can make just about anything you send her a picture of.  The prices are very reasonable and so is the shipping.

Enjoy!
Mae

Being Prepared

I used to think that as a Christian, I should not be too worried about being prepared for a disaster. When Y2K was approaching and everyone was stocking up on food and things I just kept quoting Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” And I still believe that He will. But as of late, I am changing my mind about being prepared. After doing some research I have come to believe that we should prepare for disasters.  Why after all the times in the Bible when God told people to prepare would He not want us to be prepared?

I feel like we are being given plenty of warning to prepare. I know that God is in control of everything. The Bible says in Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

We live in an area where it would be very realistic to be without electricity for a period of time. The first year we lived here there was an ice storm that had some of our neighbors without power for over a week. We have a different power company and ours was on except for 3 hours. But it could have easily been our power company that was out.  So at the very least we should be prepared for that.

I am slowly buying canned meats, soups, and meals that can easily be heated on our camp stove or open fire.  My husband made deer jerky last night and plans to make more. I am storing up powdered and canned milk. We are going to purchase a few gallons of kerosene for our kerosene heater that we haven’t used in a long time and will get it cleaned and make sure the wick is good. The oil lamps are all going to have the chimney’s cleaned, the wicks trimmed and be filled. I have started trying to put things that may be needed in an emergency where they can easily be found. Like flashlights and extra batteries together, matches near an oil lamp. I am also putting together a much better first aid kit than I’ve ever had and have everything together where it can easily be located.

I have stored up a small amount of water and will be storing more. We also have a pool so I will be buying some sort of purifying system/tabs. We also have 2 cisterns on our farm that we do not use and a pond that I would hate to have to drink out of but if I had to, I would.

Now I am in no way turning into a doomsday-er but I do think our economy is very close to taking a severe hit and we all have heard the “nine meals for chaos” theory.  There is only enough food in most homes and in the grocery stores to last 3 days.  All I am hoping for is to provide for my family in a time of need. And I don’t believe in storing up things you aren’t going to use. I am trying to be very frugal and a good steward of what God has given us so I am setting aside only $20.00 a week to get prepared. I have been at it for 2 weeks and so far I have accumulated quite a bit.

There will be more on my progress later.

Have a great day!

Mae

FAVADO-MONEY SAVING APP

Since groceries are one of the biggest expenses most of us have, I am always looking for a way to save money when grocery shopping.  I use coupons, shop sales, and everything else I can think of to save money in this area.  Savings.com has released a new grocery money saving app-FAVADO.  I have downloaded it on my phone and tested it out a little.  Even the little bit that I have used it has been wonderful.

You download the app, enter the stores that you want to use it on and that's the beginning.  It had every possible store in my area to choose from. Simple and easy.  What I like about the app is that you can search for an item and it will tell you which store it is cheapest at. It will also tell you if there are coupons available for that item.  You add your items to your shopping list, then email the list to yourself.  When you check your email, the items are there with the links to print your coupons.

Go here to download the app: Favado Download. You will love this new app!

Have a great day!
Mae

My Bread Machine

Last year I was in the market for a new bread machine. I wanted one that made a loaf of bread that looked like a loaf of bread. I did a lot of research and finally decide on this one from Amazon Breadman Bread Machine. I must say I love this machine. It makes a wonderful, soft loaf of bread. It also comes with 2 one pound loaf pans which I have never used because when I make the large loaf we eat it all, because it is so good.  I don't usually make bread in the summer so I am glad that the weather is cooling off a bit. Cause I am ready for some homemade bread.
This is the recipe that I use from the booklet that came with the machine:

*I do add 1/4 tsp of vital wheat gluten.

BASIC WHITE BREAD
Ingredients  2-LB.
1½ cups Water (80°F – 90°F)
3 tbsp. Unsalted butter or margarine, cut in pieces 
1 tbsp. Sugar
3 tbsp. Dry skim milk powder
1¼ tsp.  Salt
4 cups Bread flour 
1½ tsp. Bread machine yeast 

1. Measure ingredients into bread pan in the order listed.
2. Insert bread pan securely into baking chamber; close lid. Plug unit into wall outlet.
3. Select WHITE. Choose loaf size and desired crust color. Press the START/STOP button.
4. The complete signal will sound when bread is done.
5. Using pot holders remove bread pan from baking chamber and carefully remove bread from pan.     (If kneading paddle remains in bread, remove paddle once bread has cooled.)
6. Allow bread to cool on a wire rack until ready to serve (at least 20 minutes).

We really do have a hard time waiting the 20 minutes to eat it. It always smells soooooo good.

Fresh bread and Chicken Noodle soup are on the menu for this weekend.

Have a great day!
Mae