Pigeon Peas

 Easy to start from seed, virtually disease free, and nutritious, pigeon peas are a great plant for thefood forest.  They thrive in hot, humid weather and are a staple in the islands.  Use them as you would any bean, but they are traditionally served with rice.

I hope you enjoy this new video.

God bless,

Pam

Good Reads: Scents and Sensibility

Scents and Sensibility by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Scents and Sensibility is the eighth book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. It is a very well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Chet and Bernie are concerned about their elderly next door neighbors and set out to find the couples' son. A son that has just spent fifteen years in jail for kidnapping. What seems like a straight forward case soon turns into a murder and police corruption investigation.

I love Chet's, the dog, narration of the plot with his free form way of thinking. Bernie is struggling in this story and I deeply identified with his need to help the weak and helpless people in this world.

Scents and Sensibility is a fun and poignant read. I highly recommend this entire series.

Canning Dried Beans

Why in the world would I can dried beans?  Because there are days when my menu planning has fallen apart and I need to grab a can of something that will cook quickly.  Dried beans are great, but sometimes I don't remember to soak them the night before.  Plus, dried beans become more difficult to cook soft the longer they are stored.

Once again I will say that I am not providing detailed canning instructions.  Any reliable book on canning should have good solid instructions for people new to canning.  But, even though I have been canning for years, I always have a book nearby to double check the canning times and pressure.

Dried beans must be canned in a pressure canner, so this is not a beginner canning project.  Get all of your equipment together in your impeccably clean kitchen.  Prepare your jars, canning liquid, lids, and canner in advance.  You should be getting a canning facial now because of the steam.

Ready To Can

I followed the directions in my "Putting Food By" book:  soaked the beans overnight, put 3/4 cup of beans in each jar, covered with water or broth to 1/2 inch headspace, processed at 10 pounds pressure for 75 minutes.  These instructions are for quart jars.  If I had added meat broth or ham/bacon it would need to be processed for 90 minutes. 

Rockin' and Rollin'

I can't show you a jar of the beans I canned today because I always leave the canner untouched until the next day to allow all pressure to be relieved and allow for complete cooling.  This prevents seal failures and steam burns.

You'll notice I am canning using a flat, glass topped stove top.  Many people recommend against this, but I have never had a problem.  BUT, I will never buy this type of stove top again.  I don't like the way it has aged and it's not very versatile.  Plus it costs a fortune to replace the glass top should it crack.

I own two pressure canners, an All American and a Presto.  The All American does not require rubber gaskets, so will be perfect for preserving foods in an environment where replacement parts are not available.  The Presto does use rubber gaskets, but it is much lighter and perfect for people that can't lift heavy weights.  Both will last forever with care.

Beans Canned Last Year

Why buy convenience foods when you can make your own and know exactly what you are feeding your family?  It's all about frugal living and love.

God bless,

Pam

Using Coupons Effectively: Organization That Works

After struggling with my little accordion binder for several months, I decided to look for a better way to organize my coupons.  I found one system online that I liked, but the $60 dollar price tag put me off.  So, off I went to Office Depot to see if I could recreate the expensive system for less money.

Here are my results:

For $28 I purchased a binder with magnetic clasp, 3 x 5 photo plastic pages, trading card plastic pages, business card plastic pages, package of 8 organizer label pages and a paper pad.  I chose three different types of plastic pages because coupons come in so many sizes.  With time I may decide that one size works better, but most people use the trading card pages.

I used the organizer label pages (with plastic tabs) to divide the organizer into 8 sections:  grains, vegies, fruit, dairy, snacks, drinks, healthcare and sundries.  Some people divide their coupons alphabetically and since I used pencil on my labels I can always change them if I need to.

A pad in the back pocket will be great for lists or to keep track of what is in my cart.  An automatic pencil finishes off the back section (I had a pack at home).

In the front is a business card sized pocket which I will use for my name and phone number.  I don't want to lose my organizer and not give the finder a way to return it to me.

Now I get to put my coupons in my new organizer and give it a test run.

God bless,
Pam

The Frugal Adventure

On Christmas Eve evening a large water main in our county burst.  We were faced with a trickle of water that needed to be boiled before drinking, but we did have water and now our pressure is better.  We will need to boil our drinking water until Tuesday.

You should hear the moaning, groaning and chest beating going on in the local news.  People are talking about what a horrible hardship this all is.  Really?  This is a hardship?  No it's not.  Living in an arid area of Africa where you are lucky to get 1/2 gallon of water a day; now that's hardship.

It is all mind set.  A positive mindset makes most things bearable and, even, enjoyable (I'm not talking about severe shortages here).

The same positive mindset can be applied to going without and living frugally.  People that were children during the Great Depression will talk about how much fun they had during those bad times.  Yes, life was hard, but they found joy in life's simple pleasures.

Don't look at getting by on less as being a burden.  Instead let's turn being frugal into an adventure.  Let's take joy in feeding our family on less, finding bargains at the thrifts store and learning to repair our homes by ourselves.

Let's go on a frugal adventure.

God bless,
Pam

Christmas Countdown: Cleaning and Last Minute Shopping

I've been doing one cleaning task each day, so tomorrow I will concentrate on the kitchen and bathroom.  Dear daughter will be put in charge of making her bedroom guest ready (I can hear the groans already).  Add quick dusting and vacuuming touchups and we will be done.

Our baking is just about done; the last bit of shortbread is coming out of the oven.  I have already given about a third of our cookies to a neighbor that has not been able to bake this year.  Like the loaves and fish there always seems to be plenty to go around.  The more I give away the less weight I gain.  It's a blessing!

Dear husband will be preparing the food for our Christmas eve gathering with family.  But if you have not done your shopping now is the time.  The crowds will be huge on Christmas eve, even at the grocery store.  Make your list and check it twice; you don't want to have to hunt for an open store Christmas morning.

Does your family attend services on Christmas eve or Christmas day?  Make sure everyone that will be in your home for the holidays understands your expectations for attending devotions and church services.  Younger children can become resentful if they see older relatives/friends staying home to watch TV while they are expected to attend church with the family.

Take a deep breath.  Only three days to go.

God bless,
Pam

Prayer Journal

People that meditate describe a condition called "monkey brain" where the mind keeps interrupting their attempts to meditate with random thoughts. I have experienced "monkey brain" while trying to pray. Suddenly I'll find that my conversation with God has been interrupted by thoughts of work I need to do or a problem I'm dealing with.

I have found that I am able to stay focused while praying if I write my prayers down as I say them. A prayer journal lets me look back at earlier prayers and thank God for his answers. It also helps me avoid treating God like Santa Claus. "Dear God please give me...". I can see if I am giving God the glory.

A prayer journal would be a wonderful gift for Christmas. Attach a note explaining it's use and write a prayer in it for the recipient.

God bless,
Pam

Christmas Countdown: Cookies and Candy

The trick to enjoying Christmas cookie and candy making is to plan and make detailed lists.  Yesterday Dear Daughter and I chose four cookie recipes to bake, two classic and two trendy.  We will be baking mouse shaped cookies with licorice tails and almond ears, classic shortbread, multi-colored pepper shortbread and ginger bread men.

All of these recipes have one big thing in common; the dough can be made in advance and refrigerated.  That means that we can do the mixing tonight, then bake/decorate later in the week.

Look through your pantry to see which ingredients you have on hand and which you need to purchase.  If your almond extract is three years old or your other spices are over one year old, please toss them and purchase new.  Making cookies that taste odd is not frugal, money or time wise.  Make detailed lists of ingredients you need to buy and go shopping.  This is not a task to put off until the last moment.

While you are at the store check out the great prices on baking goods.  We purchase flour on sale at a very good price.  This is a good time to stock up for your pantry.

Most of all, please enjoy yourself and let your children have fun.  The cookies don't need to be worthy of appearing in a Martha Stewart episode.  They can be odd and quirky as long as they nurture your family.

God bless,
Pam

P.S.  Here is a hint:  Roll your dough out on the parchment paper you will be baking it on.  Cut out your cookie shapes and remove excess dough.  Transfer the parchment paper and cookie shapes to your baking pan.  This keeps you from having your cookie dough shapes fall apart when transferring them to the cookie sheet.

A Warm Inviting Kitchen Day

We have been having rare weather for Florida; days and days of freezing cold and drizzling rain.  Today I spent most of the day either cuddled in bed reading or cooking in my warm, cozy kitchen.  In fact, the only room in the house that was at all warm today is the kitchen.  This older Florida home is not designed for cold temperatures.

It started with a hankering for my grandmother's pot roast.  So, late in the morning, I began cooking and the more I cooked the warmer the room became.  I was transported to my grandma's kitchen with it's big kitchen table, large stove and a refrigerator that looked strangely just like my grandpa's green, highly chromed Buick.  The kitchen was the center of the household; everything of real importance took place there.  Everyone wanted to be there.

Today I wished that I had a big table and chairs or even one comfortable chair in my kitchen.  I would have cooked and rested; maybe taking a little nap while good smells filled the air. 

I understand why the kitchen hearth is always intimately discussed in the books I read about Colonial America (read anything by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich) and is portrayed in quilts as a red or yellow central square surrounded by scraps of fabric depicting the logs of the cabin.  It was a place to nurture life.

Now for a more practical matter; grandma's pot roast recipe:  Salt, pepper and lightly flour a chuck roast.  Brown it in oil, then transfer it to a cast iron pot/dutch oven.  Brown a sliced onion, carrots and potatoes; place them around the roast.  Pour three cups of beef broth and one cup of red wine over the roast.  Bring to a boil on the stove top, cover with heavy lid, then place in a 250 degree F oven for four hours or longer.  When done take out of the oven, place meat and vegetables on a plate, cover to keep warm.  Bring juices in pot to a boil, then thicken with a rue (mixture of fat and flour).  Let the gravy boil until it is the right thickness and salt to taste.  Serve meat and vegetable in a deep bowl, covered with gravy.  Remember they didn't have or use garlic.  The only spices they used were for baking.  If you tasted spices on meat it meant that it must have been gamey before they cooked it.

Revel in your memories.  Perfect for cold days.

God Bless,
Pam

Christmas Countdown: Devotions

As busy as we become this time of year with our shopping and holiday preparations, it becomes even more essential for us to concentrate on family devotions.  Take extra time in the evenings to read the story of  the birth of Jesus from the Bible and share a night time prayer with your children.

Now that our children are out of school we need to capture their imaginations with something other than the Disney channel.  Gather them together for crafts, baking cookies, wrapping gifts and, weather allowing, some outdoor time.  Our local botanical gardens have a Christmas light display every evening with miles of walkways to wander down.  Check with your local newspapers and park system to see if there is something similar in your area.

How about an evening Christmas story after devotions.  We like to sit as a family and take turns reading from a book that we all enjoy.  This type of evening ritual allows children to calm down before bedtime and makes it easier for them to fall asleep.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Batteries and Memory Cards

It is horribly disappointing to open a Christmas gift and not be able to use it because you do not have the batteries or memory card that it requires. Even worse when a child can't play with their new toys.

Be sure to buy these needed items and include them with the gifts. If you can do it without ruining the packaging, put the batteries and memory cards in the gifts. If not, they make a great stocking stuffer.

This is such a simple thing, but it is an act of consideration and makes for a joyful holiday.

God bless,
Pam

Fabric Gift Bags

Holiday themed fabric is on sale now and I like to buy a few yard to make reusable gift bags.  They are easy to make and you can adjust the difficulty to fit your sewing skills.  It is a good projects for children just learning to sew.

Cut your fabric to double the length that you want your finished bag to be, adding two inches to each end if you want to make a hemmed top.  Your width should be cut the same width you want for your bag plus an inch to account for 1/2 inch seam allowances.

Fold your fabric in half lengthwise (the fold is the bottom of the bag) with right sides facing each other.  Sew your side seams with a straight stitch, then zig zag stitch or pink (with pinking shears) your raw seam edges.  Turn right side out.  If you are not going to hem the top, finish it with a zig zag stitch or pink to prevent raveling.

To hem the top, iron 1/4 inch of the top edge under towards the wrong side.  Now iron another 1 3/4 inch under also towards the inside/ wrong side of the bag.  If you wish to add a button hole for the drawstring do it at this time on the right side of the fabric within the area of the hem.  With a straight stitch sew the hem in place.

You can gather the top of your bag and tie it off with decorative ribbon or, if you made the button hole, string the ribbon through the hem (you can see it in the picture).

I use these bags year after year.  The save on wrapping paper and make wrapping easy.  Just insert gift and tie.  I would not use these for inquisitive children that are too young to not peek.

God bless,
Pam

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Pam

After all of my big talk about being ready to scale down our Christmas preparations if faced with an emergency, don't you know it happened to me.  I was heading out to run errands and was driving my mother's van.  A very nice young man back ended me while I was stopped at a red light.  I sent a prayer of thanks to the Lord and we made a police report.

So, I had to slow down for the rest of the day and put some lower priority tasks on a back burner.  These things happen, perhaps to slow us down and make us thoughtful; we can only face these situations with prayer and preparation.

How do you prepare for a car accident?  How do you make it any easier?  Buy a small plastic folder that will fit easily into your glove compartment.  In the very front of the folder put your insurance card, registration and a copy of your drivers license (in case you forget your purse like I did today).  In the back of the folder put emergency contact information for anyone you would want to have called to care for your children should you be injured.  Also, include medical histories, including medications, of people that routinely ride in the car.  The paramedics and emergency room will need this information.

Keep your car well maintained (are those brakes squeaking?), your information handy and a positive, kindly attitude; you will make in through just fine.

God bless,
Pam

Christmas Countdown: Don't Panic Yet

I am looking at the calendar, realizing that there are 11 days until Christmas and only three more days until dear daughter starts her Christmas holiday from school.  Okay, deep breaths, this is no time to panic.

There is always everyday cleaning to be done, such as dishes and picking up.  Every day I pick one task to complete throughout the whole house.  Yesterday I dusted the whole house, today I will change the linens on all the beds, etc.  Some people advocate cleaning one room a day completely.  I only do this with the bathroom and kitchen, because if I completely clean one room a day that means that there is always one room that is a total disgrace.  So, in my house every room is presentable, but not perfect (except, on occasion dear daughter's room).

If you are mailing gifts it is time to use those wonderful, free Priority Mail boxes at the Post Office.  Most things ship for less than $5 and will be delivered in three days.

I am writing my Christmas cards in the evening and I fill them out according to recipient priority.  Relatives first, then close friends, then regular friends, and last, acquaintances I want to keep in touch with.  If I have to stop doing cards because of some emergency interruption I know that, at least, the people in the higher categories have received cards.

Our tree arrived last Friday and we decorated it on Sunday.  Yes, I mail order my tree from a small family owned farm in West Virginia.  They are no more expensive than a fresh tree bought locally and they stay fresh through the entire season.  A fresh tree that stays green and is delivered right to my front door; now that's frugal.

Well, I just managed to burn the dried blueberries I was rehydrating.  Not frugal!

This is the week to get dear daughter's presents wrapped.  With her on vacation after Friday, this will be my last chance.  I can wrap dear husband's and mom's gifts next week with DD's help.  Remember, prioritize, older children can wrap the younger one's presents and so on.

Tis the season to watch for sales on LED lights (burn cooler, use less electricity), wrapping supplies, holiday cards, ornaments, and holiday themed fabric.  I'll be sharing a holiday craft tomorrow that uses holiday fabric.

My evening treat is to have a cup of tea and read.  For dear daughter I like the books "Mary's Little Donkey" and "Corgyville Christmas" by Tasha Tudor.  I enjoy "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote, but don't mistake it for "One Christmas" which is truly depressing.

God bless and take another deep breath,
Pam

P.S. I have no idea why one of my book recommendations bounced up to the top of this post and I have no idea how to remove it, so I apologize for the "in your face" advertising.

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Charity

We all know people that can truly say that they don't need to receive a gift at holiday time.  I remember cleaning out my grandmother's apartment after she died and finding box after box of unused gifts that we had sent her over the years.  Despite our good intentions, she just didn't need this stuff, but she was too frugal to get rid of it.

My answer to this has been to donate to charity in the gift recipient's name.  A card letting them know that you were thinking of them and made a donation in their name, plus information on the organization is a nice touch.

Some of my favorites are:  Seva, Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, and Southeastern Guide Dogs (check out their puppy cam).  I like to purchase gifts from an organization that sells free trade, handmade items:  Ten Thousand Villages. Give the gift of giving this year and save someone from clutter.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Food Dehydrator

It was a good day when I purchased my Excalibur food dehydrator.  I dry excess produce, fruit leather, yogurt leather (tastes like taffy) and plan on making my own soup mixes using my own dehydrated vegetables and beans.  Dehydrated food takes up very little space in the pantry, but reconstitutes into a flavor and nutrient rich food product.

Once again, I will emphasize the need for frugal people to begin to reduce our dependance on traditional food suppliers.  Having our food stored in our pantry protects us from store closures, loss of income and disasters.  Living in Florida I always think of hurricane preparedness, but the causes of food shortages are varied.

And of course there is the fun factor.  Drying your own food and trying new recipes using your dehydrator (I'm thinking grapenuts here) is just plain fun.  To make your fun and your dehydrator last a good long while, buy the best you can afford.  It is well worth it.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Television: Rabbit Ears

Ahh, flashbacks to my childhood and the ubiquitous "rabbit ear" antennas on everyones TV.  There was interference from weather and you needed to adjust them frequently, but (the big BUT) it was free.

My cable costs are minimal in this area of Florida, approximately $21 for basic cable service, but for my brother in California basic cable is over $100.  Even at $21 a month my yearly cable costs are $252 about $100 over the cost of a good quality, digital antenna.

The New York Times had an informative article on the new popularity of digital antennas.  Free TV, now that's frugal.  The only thing more frugal is no TV, but that is another post.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Grocery Shopping: Angel Food Ministries

I just love this ministry.  Angel Food Ministries makes reasonably priced groceries available to anyone , regardless of their income.  They also accept donations for military families in need.

Basically, you find the pick up point closest to you, choose the food basket you wish to purchase, then pay for it in advance.  You are required to pick up the food on a particular day and time.  There are several baskets available, but the standard basket has enough food to feed a family of four suppers for seven days and costs $31.  You can buy as many baskets as you need.

This is a definite savings compared to the grocery store, but you do need to work your menus around their choices for that month.  Orders for December are due in by Sunday for pickup on the next Saturday.  Keep Angel Food Ministries in mind if you need help or wish to help a soldier's family.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Canning Supplies

Home canning can be the most frugal way to preserve the bounty from your garden, sales from the grocery, or meat from hunting. It doesn't rely on electricity and you know exactly what you are eating because you processed it.

I'm not going to give instruction on how to can, but I can recommend some books with reliable, easy to understand instructions. When buying equipment get the best you can afford. This will save you money in the long term. Start with a water bath canner (for jams, tomatoes, fruit and pickles), then graduate to a pressure canner (for nonacid vegetables and meat). Adding a box or two of jars will allow the recipient to get started canning right away.

Here are some of my recommendations:


God bless,
Pam

Homemade Advent Wreath

It is a bit late for this post since yesterday was the second Sunday of Advent, but this is the first holiday decoration to be displayed in our home each year.  I thought you might be interested in making your own wreath with your family.  Decorations that family makes together will become precious heirlooms.

Gather these supplies:  Slice of tree trunk (you can cut your own or buy them in the wood working section of the craft store), wood or hot glue, wood candle holder cups, greenery (fresh or artificial), felt or rubber pads and candles.

Glue four felt or rubber pads to the bottom of the tree slice and let dry.  This will protect your table surfaces from becoming scratched.  Glue the candle holder cups (four or five depending on your preference) on the top of the tree slice.  Then glue the greenery between the candle holders keeping in mind that it is flammable and you don't want it to be too close to the candles.

The traditional candle colors are three purple, one pink and one white (if you wish).  You can see from the photo that I deviate from tradition.  I have had blue and pink, gold and silver, green and red and this year, pink and purple.  I do not have the fifth, white candle that is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve.  Not for any big reason, but just because I grew up with a four candle tradition.

My dear daughter attended a Waldorf preschool and kindergarten for several years.  Each year during the holiday faire the children would make a single candle holder from a slice of a smaller diameter tree branch or trunk.  One of the adults would have predrilled a hole for the candles in the center of the top of the wood slice.  The children would decorate them with shells, seeds and dried flowers.  Then the children would hand dip a bees wax candle for their candle holder.  A lovely tradition and, of course, I have all of the candles and holders made by my daughter decorating my home.

God bless,
Pam