Quick & Simple Christmas Decoration December 15, 2009

I wanted something festive to add to the baskets I’m putting together for gifts this year. I had gone to the dollar store and got some pretty woven baskets.  I then filled the baskets with the food items I’ve been making throughout the year. I put in some pear conserve, some apple pear butter a small jar of pear cordial, (It was a good pear year:) and some dried cinnamon apples. I added a couple of candles I made last month. Then I put in a few varieties of tea bags from my tea cabinet.

I had picked up a few pine cones earlier in the year. I wanted to use them in the basket but wanted to make them prettier.  I have some glitter that is made for faces, so thought I’d try using that. I squirted some on the cones, then spread it around with a paint brush. After letting it dry for an hour or so, I then put a drop of elmers glue on the end. I would have used super glue, but didn’t have any. I had some raffia, so I cut it and tied it in a knot at the end, then put it in the glue. This made a loop to hang the pine cone. I left them to dry on newspaper.  When they were dry, the project was complete.

I didn’t want to leave the house or spend any money so I used what I had around the house. There are many things that can be picked up in your yard or on a walk that would be good to decorate. Make it pretty and put a loop on it. Wala. Now you have a unique decoration for free or nearly so.

This whole project only took about 10 minutes of actual time to complete.

Here are some photos showing the process.

The materials.

Adding glitter

Some red glitter

Applying glue

Adding the rafia loop.

The finished basket

Potpourri November 30, 2009

The year has fled by yet again and now it’s time to think about making some gifts for the holidays.

This year I’ve decided to give some potpourri. Potpourri is usually a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant material, used to provide a agreeable natural scent in houses. You can place it in bowls or small cloth bags, or as I did, in glass jars.

I prepared it today, but really I started it last summer when I picked and dried roses and lavender.
I chose to use the glass jar because it shows the pretty dried flowers. The jar held a candle until recently, so it was also a good way to recycle the jar. When the candle was done, I took out the leftover wax and put aside for remaking into candles. I then cleaned the jar thoroughly.

This is a before and after photo of the candle jars.

I mixed rose petals, a dried orange peel and some lavender in the jar. I then added some vetier root powder as a fixative to keep the scent strong. Orris root can also be used.  I added some rose and some lavender essential oils to the mix and gently stirred with a wooden spoon. I put on the lid and tied on a pretty ribbon. Wala!  A finished gift ready to go. The cost was minimal and it only took a few minutes. Also it made my home smell nice while I was making it.

I have all the ingredients assembled.

Time to mix in the scents and the fixative.

The finished product!

I save pretty jars and interesting containers throughout the year. I also collect flower petals, pine cones and whatever I come across. Then when it’s gift time I have lots of material on hand to work with.

There are many things that can be added. Allspice, cloves, cinnamon bark, mint, any kind of sweet smelling flowers are all great additions.   A winter themed  one could have small pine cones mixed in and scented with wintergreen, for instance. You are only limited by your imagination

I really enjoy making small gifts for friends on many levels. I enjoy planning what I am going to make each year.  I put on some good music and spend an peaceful quiet afternoon having fun creating presents for my loved ones. I also like not driving to a mall and fighting the crowds to purchase mass produced objects that are most likely made in China.  And of course, I like to recycle and reuse whatever I can, remaking what would be trash into something useful and attractive.

I hope that if you try it you will enjoy creating gifts as much as I do.

Home Made Vegan Pudding July 7, 2009

A friend and I were talking recently and the subject of pudding came up. She mentioned how much she liked it, and so I asked her if she ever made it. “It’s too hard, isn’t it?” she asked me. So, I invited her over and we had a pudding making party. She was impressed with how easy-and how good it was.

Here’s the recipe:

2 cups vanilla soy milk

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 Tablespoons corn starch

1 teaspoon vanilla.

Mix the cornstarch with a small amount of the milk in a small jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until cornstarch is dissolved.   This is a very important step. If you do not, the corn starch will clump up, ruining all of your eating enjoyment.  Add sugar and stir. Pour into pan and heat on medium high stirring  often. Cook until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Here are  some photos of the steps involved. It really is amazingly simple.

The Ingredients.

Mixing the cornstarch with a bit of milk.

Pouring in the mixed cornstarch

Stirring the pudding on the stove as it thickens.

The finished pudding. Yum.

My friend thought of making green tea pudding, so I tried that. I mixed half of the milk with half cold green tea. That was very yummy, too.
For adults, I like to pour about a tablespoon of Kahlua or other flavored liquor on top of the pudding. It runs down into the pudding as you eat, flavoring it all through. It makes a sophisticated desert for a dinner party.

Let me know if you have any questions about the recipe, or what you think if you do try it.

Ripe Cherries June 15, 2009

It’s Cherry Day!

This morning I decided it was time for Cherry Day; an annual event around here.  The vacant lot behind my house has some old and productive Queen Ann’s cherry trees  planted on the edge of my place. They hang over my yard.  So I consider the cherries in my yard mine.  I like cherries, and I like to put up the food that grows on and around my place.

My son and I picked about 3 1/4 pounds of  the small tasty cherries.  We would have had  more, except I ate a lot of them.  I had to keep my strength up. It took us about an hour. Picking cherries on a warm and sunny June  summer Sunday morning is  pretty great.

I’m not, however the only one around that likes cherries. So do the squirrels and the birds, particularly the ravens. They both chew me out when I go into the back yard for any reason during cherry season, even for completely innocent errands like hanging out the laundry. I’m sure I can understand both the squirrels and the ravens. They both tell me the same thing. “Stay away Human! Those are for me!”

These trees are old and probably 30 ft tall. Most of the cherries grow towards the top, tantalizingly out of reach-at least of me, being without feathers or claws. So, I gather what I can from the ground with my ladder. The tops of the trees were filled with a squirrel family feasting and above them was a large raven eating his fill. There is enough for all.

Making jam, especially from free fruit around your place is one of the ways to live easier on the planet. No trucking involved! I find the jars at garage sales, and reuse them over and over.

I was recently given a cherry pitter which I now consider one of the top inventions of all times. Okay maybe not that great, but it saves hours of tedious work, so I love it. If you are going to use fresh cherries, it’s worth finding one.

Once I pitted them, I had the jam made in less than an hour. I just follow the directions on the pectin box.

I got 2 and 1/2 pints of cherry jam for about 2 hours work. That jam will be a special treat next winter, and in the meantime I’ll admire the jars on my pantry shelf.

Here are some photos:

The full Cherry tree.

The fruits of our labor.

A much smaller bowl after pitting them.

The finished jam.

May 11, 2009

Satisfaction, Longevity & the Enviorment February 26, 2009

Check  out this link I just found.

happyplanetindex.org

Here you can check out a map of 178 nations and see where everyone stands.

It’s a pretty cool site.

Thanksgiving November 30, 2008

I had a nice, quiet holiday. It was just my yougest and I, and he is picky. He had his traditional cheese pizza.

I considered going out to eat, but thought it would be better to stay home and prepare my own meal.  It’s easier on the environment as well as on my own resources.

I decided to have a feast for one. I usually eat pretty healthily, but this is a holiday dedicated to feasting. I felt that to celebrate properly I would need to throw aside my usual restraint for the day. I take my holidays seriously. Never let it be said that I don’t do my part.

I made my favorites. Stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. For desert-cheesecake. My oh my. I did slice half a cucumber to throw a salve to my conscience.  I made some yeast bread, as well.  I opened a jar of my homemade blackberry jam to go on the bread. There is nothing quite like bread still warm from the oven, spread with jam you have made. Yum, yum, yum.

My stuffing was pretty simple. I just sauteed some garlic, onions, celery and mushrooms, and added the traditional spices of sage (gotta have lots of that), rosemary, thyme and oregano.  All of these herbs were from my garden, that I picked and dried last summer. When the vegetables were done, I combined them with half of loaf of bread crumbs I had dried out a few days before, and some walnuts. I stirred it up with some mushroom broth and baked it about half an hour.

By now the house is starting to smell really good.

I put the peeled and cut up potatoes on to cook, while I started the gravy. When they were tender, I mashed them, added salt, pepper and a large amount of butter (It’s a holiday!) and left them covered to keep warm.

I hardly ever make gravy, because when I do, I stand over the pan and “sample” the gravy till I have to make myself walk away. So, since it’s since a rare treat, I made a lot. I started with a combination of olive oil and butter on low in a cast iron skillet. I used about half oil and half butter for a total of a quarter cup. When the butter is melted, I slowly add flour, a bit at a time, whisking it in, until the butter mix can’t absorb anymore-maybe an 1/2 cup of flour. Brown the flour on low for a few minutes, then add about a half a cup of liquid slowly, whisking after each bit. I used some mushroom broth. Any kind of broth or milk can be used. Let it simmer on low for a bit to thicken up. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I love leftovers, so I made extra.   I am looking forward to having some for lunch today. I did share some of my cheesecake with a few friends that stopped by, but I still have two pieces left. I only make one cheesecake a year, so I am eating it slowly and really enjoying it. This year I wanted an pure, unadulterated one, so I didn’t add any topping. Nothing but cheesecake, baby.

I set the table with a nice tablecloth and nice china. I poured myself a mimosa. I gave thanks for my blessings. I then enjoyed my meal.

It was a peaceful quiet day. I ate a little too much. An excellent holiday.

Cheesecake and yeast bread.

APPLESAUCE! November 20, 2008

I make applesauce every autumn for a couple of reasons. One is because I have two apples trees, and I am driven to find a use for them. Another reason is my picky son loves my homemade apple sauce. I have tried to make enough to last him till the next apple season-I once made 55 quarts-but it’s never enough. Making applesauce is one of the most time consuming canning jobs I do, but it is so worth it.

In case you are interested, here’s how I do it.

Set aside an afternoon. It takes about 4 to 5 hours from start to finish.

Cleanliness is very important throughout the entire process. Make sure your work surface and all your tools are sterilized.

To make about 7 quarts you will need a large pot. It should hold 8-10 quarts, quart canning jars and lids, a funnel, a sharp knife, a ladle and hot water bather, and assorted spoons and potholders.

Pick and wash the apples. Cut them into small pieces, cutting out any bruises and worms (I’m an organic gardener-that means the occasional worm.) Add enough water to the pan to prevent the apples sticking to the bottom and burning. An inch or two should suffice. Fill up the pan and place on stove burner about on medium. They will take about an hour to cook till tender. Fill the hot water bather about 3/4 full. This is a large dark blue pan that you will put the filled jars in to process. It forces the air out of the jars, and seals them. I sterilize my jars, rings and lids in the oven to save room on the range. I put about an inch of water in a casserole pan and invert the canning jars in it. Another pan holds the lids and rings. Place these in the oven at 300 degrees now.

Stir the apples frequently, making sure the apples do not stick. When they are soft, out then through a food mill (If you like smooth applesauce, like my son. Otherwise skip this step.) Fill up the jars, wiping the rim, and then putting on the lids. Put each jar in the bather as soon as they are filled. Once you are done, then bring to a full roiling boil for 30 minutes. It’s quite important to do this to ensure that the applesauce is safe to eat.

When the 30 minutes are up, make sure that your doors and windows are closed to prevent a breeze hitting the hot jars, and pull them out. Place on a towel and let cool. If you are successful, then soon you will hear a ping sound as the jars seal. I love that sound. If any do not seal, then refrigerate and eat soon.

Now, stand back and admire the results of all of your hard work!

Ready to go in the pantry.

.

EASY WAYS TO BE GREEN November 11, 2008

This project has a multi-author environment. We will all be contributing with our different skills. This is a work in progress.

I’ve been green since before the term was invented. I have always enjoyed the challenge of trying to do everything in the greenest, most efficient and cost effective way I can.

Finally, being cheap is fashionable!

As a result, I know how to make do with very little, and how to live lightly on the Earth.

I am sharing some of the things I have learned over the years.

Following are some suggestions:

Turn off the television. Use to time to read a good book, learn a new skill, make gifts, do yoga, play cards and board games with your family. Have a family game night once a week. Allow each member of the family to pick the families entertainment for the night.

Unplug your television and all appliances that are not in use. Or, better yet, put them on surge protectors, and keep them off when not in use. Most appliances draw energy even when they are not in use. This is called vampire energy and uses an incredible amount of energy. This can save the average household up to $200 yearly.

Pick up a good book.  Snuggle up under a cover on the couch and read away a lazy afternoon. Read aloud as a family activity. Pick a thick book you have always meant to read, and read a chapter a night.

Turn your heat down. This not only saves energy and money, but it is healthier. Lower the heat at night and when you are gone. Install a programmable thermostat. Use it.

Instead of getting coffee while you are out, buy a nice thermal cup and make your own.

Grind fresh coffee beans. Keep a couple of different flavors around for variety. Use a French press. Or, use a canning jar, a kettle of boiling water,  and a tea ball filled with coffee, or put the ground coffee in the bottom of the pre-heated jar  and pour it through a strainer. I came up with this method several years ago when I got tired of replacing the French presses when they broke. It looks funny, but it makes good coffee, and it takes up no counter space.

Get a kettle and nice tea pot. Buy teas in bulk and a tea ball. A cup of tea can brighten a dreary day.

Buy a good water bottle and use it. Wash it out often. Deposable water bottles are filling up the dumps and will take many generations to decompose.

Carry cloth bags for shopping.  Keep them where you can grab them easily.

Learn to bake. It’s a lot easier than most folks think, and tea and scones make for a very enjoyable afternoon.

Use cloth table clothes and napkins. They are elegant as well as frugal. You can often find them in thrift stores.

Shop in thrift stores. Not only can you find great deals, but also much more variety. If you don’t like the current fashion that is all the new stores are carrying, try thrift stores and garage sales. You never know what treasures are awaiting you.

Use rags instead of paper towels. If it’s just a spill or something minor, grab a rag. I play a game with myself to see how long I can make a roll of paper towels last. I have made it to 4 months, so far, by saving the paper products for gross stuff, and using rags for the rest. I throw them in the washer whenever I do  a load.

Speaking of washing clothes, use a clothes line. Using the free solar power not only saves energy, but also makes your clothing smell much better than any artificial fragrance you can add. In the winter, or you can’t put up a clothes line, you can use a clothes rack.

Give your house a thorough cleaning every spring and fall, and a weekly one on a smaller scale. This is a great workout-who needs the gym! Make your own cleaning supplies. As an example, I keep a squirt bottle of ½ vinegar and ½ water in the kitchen and bathroom.

Compost. Why throw away free fertilizer? Compost your garden leaves as well. Burning them pollutes the air.

Recycle everything. Reuse first. For instance, I bought some spice bottles at a yard sale and labeled them. I buy spices in bulk and refill my jars whenever needed. Bulk spices are less than a quarter of the cost of buying a new bottle each time.

Save plastic containers to reuse I wash and save yogurt, sour cream and other containers to store leftovers in and to freeze food. I call them hippy tuperware.

Buy organic. Even if it costs a bit more, it’s so important for your health—and the health of the planet.

Buy on sale, local and in season. For instance, buy a flat of strawberries in June when they are ripe and abundant. Wash and freeze them for winter, when strawberries are expensive.

Learn to can, dry and otherwise preserve food. It’s a joyous feeling to behold your pantry full of jams, jellies, salsa, and other wonderful food that you have put up yourself. Plus, it makes you look forward to winter, when you can enjoy it all!

Plant a garden. Even if it’s just a pot of lettuce or a tomato plant on your porch.

Go to your local farmers market. Support your local farmer!

Go vegetarian, or at least eat less meat. Research has proven the health benefits, and it also benefits your wallet.

Get a bike. Ride it. Invite a friend or two, and go on a picnic.

Leave your car at home and walk if you live in or near town. I like to leave a shoe print, instead of a carbon footprint. When you do need to drive, drive smarter. Plan ahead and get all your errands done at one time.

When it’s time, buy green appliances. Don’t update unless you need to. Get full use of your current one.

Have an energy audit done on your home, Follow the suggestions. Love the earth. It’s the only one we have.

Take time to notice what a beautiful home we have. We hope you have enjoyed this, and perhaps found a little inspiration to help you make your part of this world bit of a better place.

We encourage and look forward to your questions, comments and feedback! Thanks for allowing us to share with you.